:Botswana Economy
Overview:The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops.Agriculture today provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population,but produces only about 50% of food needs. The driving force behind therapid economic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry.This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone from generating25% of GDP in 1980 to over 50% in 1989. No other sector has experienced suchgrowth, especially not agriculture, which is plagued by erratic rainfall andpoor soils. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 25%. Although diamondproduction remained level in FY91, substantial gains in coal output andmanufacturing helped boost the economyGDP:purchasing power equivalent - $3.6 billion, per capita $2,800; real growthrate 6.3% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12.6% (1991)Unemployment rate:25% (1989)Budget:revenues $1,935 million; expenditures $1,885 million, including capitalexpenditures of $658 million (FY93)Exports:$1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1990)commodities:diamonds 80%, copper and nickel 9%, meat 4%, cattle, animal productspartners:Switzerland, UK, SACU (Southern African Customs Union)Imports:$1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum productspartners:Switzerland, SACU (Southern African Customs Union), UK, USExternal debt:$780 million (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 16.8% (FY86); accounts for about 57% of GDP, including miningElectricity:220,000 kW capacity; 630 million kWh produced 858 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:mining of diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestockprocessingAgriculture:accounts for only 3% of DGP; subsistence farming predominates; cattleraising supports 50% of the population; must import large share of foodneedsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $257 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,875 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $43 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $29millionCurrency:pula (plural - pula); 1 pula (P) = 100 thebeExchange rates:pula (P) per US$1 - 2.1683 (March 1992), 2.0173 (1991), 1.8601 (1990),2.0125 (1989), 1.8159 (1988), 1.6779 (1987)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Botswana Communications
Railroads:712 km 1.067-meter gaugeHighways:11,514 km total; 1,600 km paved; 1,700 km crushed stone or gravel, 5,177 kmimproved earth, 3,037 km unimproved earthCivil air:5 major transport aircraftAirports:100 total, 87 unable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:the small system is a combination of open-wire lines, radio relay links, anda few radio-communications stations; 26,000 telephones; broadcast stations -7 AM, 13 FM, no TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Botswana Defense Forces
Branches:Botswana Defense Force (including Army and Air Wing); Botswana NationalPoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 271,511; 142,947 fit for military service; 14,473 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $136.4 million, 4.4% of GDP (FY92)
:Bouvet Island Geography
Total area:58 km2Land area:58 km2Comparative area:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:29.6 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:4 nmDisputes:noneClimate:antarcticTerrain:volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly inacessibleNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100% (ice)Environment:covered by glacial iceNote:located in the South Atlantic Ocean 2,575 km south-southwest of the Cape ofGood Hope, South Africa
:Bouvet Island People
Population: uninhabited
:Bouvet Island Government
Long-form name:noneType:territory of NorwayCapital:none; administered from Oslo, Norway
:Bouvet Island Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Bouvet Island Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage onlyTelecommunications:automatic meteorological station
:Bouvet Island Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
:Brazil Geography
Total area:8,511,965 km2Land area:8,456,510 km2; includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas,Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao PauloComparative area:slightly smaller than the USLand boundaries:14,691 km; Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, FrenchGuiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 kmCoastline:7,491 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:200 nmDisputes:short section of the boundary with Paraguay (just west of Guaira Falls onthe Rio Parana) is in dispute; two short sections of boundary with Uruguayare in dispute (Arroyo de la Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and theislands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay)Climate:mostly tropical, but temperate in southTerrain:mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, andnarrow coastal beltNatural resources:iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, phosphates, tin, hydropower,gold, platinum, crude oil, timberLand use:arable land 7%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest andwoodland 67%; other 6%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:recurrent droughts in northeast; floods and frost in south; deforestation inAmazon basin; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro and Sao PauloNote:largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every SouthAmerican country except Chile and Ecuador
:Brazil People
Population:158,202,019 (July 1992), growth rate 1.8% (1992)Birth rate:25 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:67 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:62 years male, 69 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.0 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Brazilian(s); adjective - BrazilianEthnic divisions:Portuguese, Italian, German, Japanese, black, Amerindian; white 55%, mixed38%, black 6%, other 1%Religions:Roman Catholic (nominal) 90%Languages:Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, FrenchLiteracy:81% (male 82%, female 80%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:57,000,000 (1989 est.); services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27%Organized labor:13,000,000 dues paying members (1989 est.)
:Brazil Government
Long-form name:Federative Republic of BrazilType:federal republicCapital:BrasiliaAdministrative divisions:26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distritofederal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*,Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, MinasGerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grandedo Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo,Sergipe, Tocantins; note - the former territories of Amapa and Roraimabecame states in January 1991Independence:7 September 1822 (from Portugal)Constitution:5 October 1988Legal system:based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 7 September (1822)Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional) consists of an upperchamber or Federal Senate (Senado Federal) and a lower chamber or Chamber ofDeputies (Camara dos Deputados)Judicial branch:Supreme Federal TribunalLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Fernando Affonso COLLOR de Mello (since 15 March 1990); VicePresident Itamar FRANCO (since 15 March 1990)Political parties and leaders:National Reconstruction Party (PRN), Daniel TOURINHO, president; BrazilianDemocratic Movement Party (PMDB), Orestes QUERCIA, president; Liberal FrontParty (PFL), Hugo NAPOLEAO, president; Workers' Party (PT), Luis Ignacio(Lula) da SILVA, president; Brazilian Labor Party (PTB), Luiz GONZAGA dePaiva Muniz, president; Democratic Labor Party (PDT), Leonel BRIZOLA,president; Democratic Social Party (PPS), Paulo MALUF, president; BrazilianSocial Democracy Party (PSDB), Tasso JEREISSATI, president; PopularSocialist Party (PPS), Roberto FREIRE, president; Communist Party of Brazil(PCdoB), Joao AMAZONAS, secretary general; Christian Democratic Party (PDC),Siqueira CAMPOS, presidentSuffrage:voluntary at age 16; compulsory between ages 18 and 70; voluntary at age 70Elections:Chamber of Deputies:last held 3 October 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - PMDB21%, PFL 17%, PDT 9%, PDS 8%, PRN 7.9%, PTB 7%, PT 7%, other 23.1%; seats -(503 total as of 3 February 1991) PMDB 108, PFL 87, PDT 46, PDS 43, PRN 40,PTB 35, PT 35, other 109Federal Senate:last held 3 October 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (81 total as of 3 February 1991) PMDB 27, PFL15, PSDB 10, PTB 8, PDT 5, other 16
:Brazil Government
President:last held 15 November 1989, with runoff on 17 December 1989 (next to be heldNovember 1994); results - Fernando COLLOR de Mello 53%, Luis Inacio da SILVA47%; note - first free, direct presidential election since 1960Communists:less than 30,000Other political or pressure groups:left wing of the Catholic Church and labor unions allied to leftist Worker'sParty are critical of government's social and economic policiesMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT,IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS,MERCOSUR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WFTU, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Rubens RICUPERO; Chancery at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-2700; there are BrazilianConsulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, and NewYork, and Consulates in Dallas, Houston, and San FranciscoUS:Ambassador Richard MELTON; Embassy at Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, Brasilia,Distrito Federal (mailing address is APO AA 34030); telephone [55] (61)321-7272; FAX [55] (61) 225-9136; there are US Consulates General in Rio deJaneiro and Sao Paulo, and Consulates in PortoAlegre and RecifeFlag:green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestialglobe with 23 white five-pointed stars (one for each state) arranged in thesame pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorialband with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
:Brazil Economy
Overview:The economy, with large agrarian, mining, and manufacturing sectors, enteredthe 1990s with declining real growth, runaway inflation, an unserviceableforeign debt of $122 billion, and a lack of policy direction. In addition,the economy remained highly regulated, inward-looking, and protected bysubstantial trade and investment barriers. Ownership of major industrial andmining facilities is divided among private interests - including severalmultinationals - and the government. Most large agricultural holdings areprivate, with the government channeling financing to this sector. Conflictsbetween large landholders and landless peasants have produced intermittentviolence. The Collor government, which assumed office in March 1990, isembarked on an ambitious reform program that seeks to modernize andreinvigorate the economy by stabilizing prices, deregulating the economy,and opening it to increased foreign competition. The government in December1991 signed a letter of intent with the IMF for a 20-month standby loan.Having reached an agreement on the repayment of interest arrears accumulatedduring 1989 and 1990, Brazilian officials and commercial bankers are engagedin talks on the reduction of medium- and long-term debt and debt servicepayments and on the elimination of remaining interest arrears. A majorlong-run strength is Brazil's vast natural resources.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $358 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate1.2% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):478.5% (December 1991, annual rate)Unemployment rate:4.3% (1991)Budget:revenues $164.3 billion; expenditures $170.6 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $32.9 billion (1990)Exports:$31.6 billion (1991)commodities:iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffeepartners:EC 31%, US 24%, Latin America 11%, Japan 8% (1990)Imports:$21.0 billion (1991)commodities:crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coalpartners:Middle East and Africa 22%, US 21%, EC 21%, Latin America 18%, Japan 6%(1990)External debt:$118 billion (December 1991)Industrial production:growth rate—0.5% (1991); accounts for 39% of GDPElectricity:58,500,000 kW capacity; 229,824 million kWh produced, 1,479 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:textiles and other consumer goods, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, ironore, steel, motor vehicles and auto parts, metalworking, capital goods, tinAgriculture:world's largest producer and exporter of coffee and orange juice concentrateand second- largest exporter of soybeans; other products - rice, corn,sugarcane, cocoa, beef; self-sufficient in food, except for wheat
:Brazil Economy
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis and coca, mostly for domestic consumption;government has a modest eradication program to control cannabis and cocacultivation; important transshipment country for Bolivian and Colombiancocaine headed for the US and EuropeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.5 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.2 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $284 million; former Communist countries (1970-89),$1.3 billionCurrency:cruzeiro (plural - cruzeiros); 1 cruzeiro (Cr$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:cruzeiros (Cr$) per US$1 - 1,197.38 (January 1992), 406.61 (1991), 68.300(1990), 2.834 (1989), 0.26238 (1988), 0.03923 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Brazil Communications
Railroads:28,828 km total; 24,864 km 1.000-meter gauge, 3,877 km 1.600-meter gauge, 74km mixed 1.600-1.000-meter gauge, 13 km 0.760-meter gauge; 2,360 kmelectrifiedHighways:1,448,000 km total; 48,000 km paved, 1,400,000 km gravel or earthInland waterways:50,000 km navigablePipelines:crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural gas 1,095 kmPorts:Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio deJaneiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, SantosMerchant marine:245 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,693,500 GRT/9,623,918 DWT; includes3 passenger-cargo, 49 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 13 container, 9roll-on/roll-off, 57 petroleum tanker, 15 chemical tanker, 11 liquefied gas,14 combination ore/oil, 71 bulk, 2 combination bulk; in addition, 2 navaltankers and 4 military transport are sometimes used commerciallyCivil air:198 major transport aircraftAirports:3,563 total, 2,911 usable; 420 with permanent-surface runways; 2 withrunways over 3,659 m; 22 with runways 2,240-3,659 m; 550 with runways1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:good system; extensive radio relay facilities; 9.86 million telephones;broadcast stations - 1,223 AM, no FM, 112 TV, 151 shortwave; 3 coaxialsubmarine cables, 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations and 64 domesticsatellite earth stations
:Brazil Defense Forces
Branches:Brazilian Army, Navy of Brazil (including Marines), Brazilian Air Force,Military Police (paramilitary)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 41,515,103; 27,987,257 fit for military service; 1,644,571reach military age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 0.3% of GDP (1990)
:British Indian Ocean Territory Geography
Total area:60 km2Land area:60 km2; includes the island of Diego GarciaComparative area:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:698 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:UK announced establishment of 200-nm fishery zone in August 1991Disputes:the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by MauritiusClimate:tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade windsTerrain:flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)Natural resources:coconuts, fishLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:archipelago of 2,300 islandsNote:Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic locationin central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
:British Indian Ocean Territory People
Population:no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islandersEthnic divisions:civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius beforeconstruction of UK and US defense facilities
:British Indian Ocean Territory Government
Long-form name:British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated BIOTType:dependent territory of the UKCapital:noneLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Head of Government:Commissioner Mr. T. G. HARRIS; Administrator Mr. R. G. WELLS (since NA1991); note - both reside in the UKDiplomatic representation:none (dependent territory of UK)Flag:white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six bluewavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on theouter half of the flag
:British Indian Ocean Territory Economy
Overview:All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia,where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects andvarious services needed to support the military installations are done bymilitary and contract employees from the UK and the US. There are noindustrial or agricultural activities on the islands.Electricity:provided by the US military
:British Indian Ocean Territory Communications
Highways:short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego GarciaPorts:Diego GarciaAirports:1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego GarciaTelecommunications:minimal facilities; broadcast stations (operated by US Navy) - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:British Indian Ocean Territory Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
:British Virgin Islands Geography
Total area:150 km2Land area:150 km2; includes the island of AnegadaComparative area:about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DCCoastline:80 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade windsTerrain:coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hillyNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land 20%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 33%; forest andwoodland 7%; other 33%Environment:subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to OctoberNote:strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
:British Virgin Islands People
Population:12,555 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992)Birth rate:20 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:—2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:71 years male, 75 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - British Virgin Islander(s); adjective - British Virgin IslanderEthnic divisions:over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian originReligions:Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-DayAdventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)Languages:English (official)Literacy:98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970)Labor force:4,911 (1980)Organized labor:NA% of labor force
:British Virgin Islands Government
Long-form name:noneType:dependent territory of the UKCapital:Road TownAdministrative divisions:none (dependent territory of the UK)Independence:none (dependent territory of the UK)Constitution:1 June 1977Legal system:English lawNational holiday:Territory Day, 1 JulyExecutive branch:British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative CouncilJudicial branch:Eastern Caribbean Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor P. A.PENFOLD (since NA 1991)Head of Government:Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986)Political parties and leaders:United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. LavitySTOUTT; Independent Progressive Movement (IPM), Cyril B. ROMNEYSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Legislative Council:last held 12 November 1990 (next to be held by November 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) VIP 6, IPM 1, independents 2Member of:CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate)Diplomatic representation:none (dependent territory of UK)Flag:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the VirginIslander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat ofarms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oillamps above a scroll bearing the Latin wordVIGILATE (Be Watchful)
:British Virgin Islands Economy
Overview:The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, is highlydependent on the tourist industry, which generates about 21% of the nationalincome. In 1985 the government offered offshore registration to companieswishing to incorporate in the islands, and, in consequence, incorporationfees generated about $2 million in 1987. Livestock raising is the mostsignificant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poorsoils, are unable to meet food requirements.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $130 million, per capita $10,600; real growthrate 6.3% (1990)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.5% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:NEGL%Budget:revenues $51 million; expenditures $88 million, including capitalexpenditures of $38 million (1991)Exports:$2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)commodities:rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animalspartners:Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, USImports:$11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)commodities:building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinerypartners:Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, USExternal debt:$4.5 million (1985)Industrial production:growth rate—4.0% (1985)Electricity:10,500 kW capacity; 43 million kWh produced, 3,510 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshorefinancial centerAgriculture:livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetablesEconomic aid:NACurrency:US currency is usedExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:British Virgin Islands Communications
Highways:106 km motorable roads (1983)Ports:Road TownAirports:3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways less than 1,220 mTelecommunications:3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine cablecommunication links to Bermuda; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV
:British Virgin Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Brunei Geography
Total area:5,770 km2Land area:5,270 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than DelawareLand boundaries:381 km; Malysia 381 kmCoastline:161 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides the country; all ofthe Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of themare claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established anexclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publiclyclaimed the islandClimate:tropical; hot, humid, rainyTerrain:flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in westNatural resources:crude oil, natural gas, timberLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest andwoodland 79%; other 18%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rareNote:close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and PacificOceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave ofMalaysia
:Brunei People
Population:269,319 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992)Birth rate:27 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:7 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:26 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:69 years male, 73 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Bruneian(s); adjective - BruneianEthnic divisions:Malay 64%, Chinese 20%, other 16%Religions:Muslim (official) 63%, Buddhism 14%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs andother 15% (1981)Languages:Malay (official), English, and ChineseLiteracy:77% (male 85%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981)Labor force:89,000 (includes members of the Army); 33% of labor force is foreign (1988);government 47.5%; production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction41.9%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.8% (1986)Organized labor:2% of labor force
:Brunei Government
Long-form name:Negara Brunei DarussalamType:constitutional sultanateCapital:Bandar Seri BegawanAdministrative divisions:4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara,Temburong, TutongIndependence:1 January 1984 (from UK)Constitution:29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergencysince December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)Legal system:based on Islamic lawNational holiday:23 February (1984)Executive branch:sultan, prime minister, Council of Cabinet MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council (Majlis Masyuarat Megeri)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Sultan and Prime Minister His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan HajiHASSANAL Bolkiah Mu`izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967)Political parties and leaders:Brunei United National Party (inactive), Anak HASANUDDIN, chairman; BruneiNational Democratic Party (the first legal political party and now banned),leader NASuffrage:noneElections:Legislative Council:last held in March 1962; in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointivebody by decree of the sultan and no elections are plannedMember of:APEC, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, ICAO, IDB, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Mohamed KASSIM bin Haji Mohamed Daud; Chancery at 2600 VirginiaAvenue NW, Suite 3000, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 342-0159US:Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan,American Embassy Box B, APO AP 96440; telephone [673] (2) 229-670; FAX [673](2) 225-293Flag:yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and blackstarting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red issuperimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on topof a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked bytwo upraised hands
:Brunei Economy
Overview:The economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship,government regulation and welfare measures, and village tradition. It isalmost totally supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, withrevenues from the petroleum sector accounting for more than 50% of GDP. Percapita GDP of $8,800 is among the highest in the Third World, andsubstantial income from overseas investment supplements domestic production.The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes food andhousing.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, per capita $8,800; real growth rate1% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.3% (1989)Unemployment rate:3.7%, shortage of skilled labor (1989)Budget:revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $1.5 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $255 million (1989 est.)Exports:$2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum productspartners:Japan 53%, UK 12%, South Korea 9%, Thailand 7%, Singapore 5% (1990)Imports:$1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.)commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicalspartners:Singapore 35%, UK 26%, Switzerland 9%, US 9%, Japan 5% (1990)External debt:noneIndustrial production:growth rate 12.9% (1987); accounts for 52.4% of GDPElectricity:310,000 kW capacity; 890 million kWh produced, 2,400 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, constructionAgriculture:imports about 80% of its food needs; principal crops and livestock includerice, cassava, bananas, buffaloes, and pigsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $20.6 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $153 millionCurrency:Bruneian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.7454 (January 1991), 1.8125 (1990),1.9503 (1989), 2.0124 (1988), 2.1060 (1987), 2.1774 (1986); note - theBruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollarFiscal year:calendar year
:Brunei Communications
Railroads:13 km 0.610-meter narrow-gauge private lineHighways:1,090 km total; 370 km paved (bituminous treated) and another 52 km underconstruction, 720 km gravel or unimprovedInland waterways:209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 metersPipelines:crude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 920 kmPorts:Kuala Belait, MuaraMerchant marine:7 liquefied gas carriers (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,476 GRT/340,635DWTCivil air:4 major transport aircraft (3 Boeing 757-200, 1 Boeing 737-200)Airports:2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway over3,659 m; 1 with runway 1,406 mTelecommunications:service throughout country is adequate for present needs; internationalservice good to adjacent Malaysia; radiobroadcast coverage good; 33,000telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 4 AM/FM, 1 TV; 74,000 radioreceivers (1987); satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
:Brunei Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, and Royal Brunei PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 75,330; 43,969 fit for military service; 2,595 reach militaryage (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $233.1 million, 7.1% of GDP (1988)
:Bulgaria Geography
Total area:110,910 km2Land area:110,550 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than TennesseeLand boundaries:1,881 km; Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia andMontenegro 318 km, Turkey 240 kmCoastline:354 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:Macedonia question with Greece and MacedoniaClimate:temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summersTerrain:mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southNatural resources:bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable landLand use:arable land 34%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest andwoodland 35%; other 10%; includes irrigated 11%Environment:subject to earthquakes, landslides; deforestation; air pollutionNote:strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes fromEurope to Middle East and Asia
:Bulgaria People
Population:8,869,161 (July 1992), growth rate —0.5% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:12 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:—5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:69 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.7 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Bulgarian(s); adjective - BulgarianEthnic divisions:Bulgarian 85.3%, Turk 8.5%, Gypsy 2.6%, Macedonian 2.5%, Armenian 0.3%,Russian 0.2%, other 0.6%Religions:Bulgarian Orthodox 85%; Muslim 13%; Jewish 0.8%; Roman Catholic 0.5%; UniateCatholic 0.2%; Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 0.5%Languages:Bulgarian; secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdownLiteracy:93% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)Labor force:4,300,000; industry 33%, agriculture 20%, other 47% (1987)Organized labor:Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB); Edinstvo(Unity) People's Trade Union (splinter confederation from KNSB); Podkrepa(Support) Labor Confederation, legally registered in January 1990
:Bulgaria Government
Long-form name:Republic of BulgariaType:emerging democracy, diminishing Communist Party influenceCapital:SofiaAdministrative divisions:9 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Burgas, Grad Sofiya, Khaskovo,Lovech, Mikhaylovgrad, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Sofiya, VarnaIndependence:22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)Constitution:adopted 12 July 1991Legal system:based on civil law system, with Soviet law influence; has acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:3 March (1878)Executive branch:president, chairman of the Council of Ministers (premier), two deputychairmen of the Council of Ministers, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Narodno Sobranie)Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Constitutional CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Zhelyu ZHELEV (since 1 August 1990)Head of Government:Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Premier) Filip DIMITROV (since 8November 1991); Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Deputy PrimeMinister) Stoyan GANEV (since 8 November 1991); Deputy Chairman of theCouncil of Ministers Nikolay VASILEV (since 8 November 1991)Political parties and leaders:government:Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), Filip DIMITROV, chairman, consisting ofUnited Democratic Center, Democratic Party, Radical Democratic Party,Christian Democratic Union, Alternative Social Liberal Party, RepublicanParty, Civic Initiative Movement, Union of the Repressed, and about a dozenother groups; Movement for Rights and Freedoms (pro-Muslim party) (MRF),Ahmed DOGAN, chairman, supports UDF but not officially in coalition with itopposition:Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), formerly Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP),Zhan VIDENOV, chairmanSuffrage:universalandcompulsoryatage 18Elections:National Assembly:last held 13 October 1991; results - BSP 33%, UDF 34%, MRF 7.5%; seats -(240 total) BSP 106, UDF 110, Movement for Rights and Freedoms 24President:last held 12 January 1992; second round held 19 January 1992; results -Zhelyu ZHELEV was elected by popular voteCommunists:Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), formerly Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP),501,793 members; several small Communist parties
:Bulgaria Government
Other political or pressure groups:Ecoglasnost; Podkrepa (Support) Labor Confederation; Fatherland Union;Bulgarian Democratic Youth (formerly Communist Youth Union); Confederationof Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB); Nationwide Committee forDefense of National Interests; Peasant Youth League; Bulgarian AgrarianNational Union - United (BZNS); Bulgarian Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov"Bulgarian Agrarian National Union; Internal Macedonian RevolutionaryOrganization - Union of Macedonian Societies (IMRO-UMS); numerous regional,ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendasMember of:BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IIB, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Ognyan PISHEV; Chancery at 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC20008; telephone (202) 387-7969US:Ambassador Hugh Kenneth HILL; Embassy at 1 Alexander Stamboliski Boulevard,Sofia (mailing address is APO AE 09213-5740); telephone [359] (2) 88-48-01through 05; Embassy has no FAX machineFlag:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the nationalemblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - itcontained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a redfive-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarianstate established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
:Bulgaria Economy
Overview:Growth in the lackluster Bulgarian economy fell to the 2% annual level inthe 1980s. By 1990, Sofia's foreign debt had skyrocketed to over $10 billion- giving a debt-service ratio of more than 40% of hard currency earnings andleading the regime to declare a moratorium on its hard currency payments.The post-Communist government faces major problems of renovating an agingindustrial plant; coping with worsening energy, food, and consumer goodsshortages; keeping abreast of rapidly unfolding technological developments;investing in additional energy capacity (the portion of electric power fromnuclear energy reached over one-third in 1990); and motivating workers, inpart by giving them a share in the earnings of their enterprises. Bulgaria'snew government, led by Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov, is strongly committedto economic reform. The previous government, even though dominated by formerCommunists, had taken the first steps toward dismantling the centralplanning system, bringing the economy back into balance, and reducinginflationary pressures. The program produced some encouraging early results,including eased restrictions on foreign investment, increased support frominternational financial institutions, and liberalized currency trading.Small entrepreneurs have begun to emerge and some privatization of smallenterprises has taken place. The government has passed bills to privatizelarge state-owned enterprises and reform the banking system. Negotiations onan association agreement with the EC began in late 1991.GNP:purchasing power equivalent - $36.4 billion, per capita $4,100; real growthrate —22% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):420% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:10% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues NA; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of $NA billion(1991)Exports:$8.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:machinery and equipment 55.3%; agricultural products 15.0%; manufacturedconsumer goods 10.0%; fuels, minerals, raw materials, and metals 18.4%;other 1.3% (1990)partners:former CMEA countries 70.6% (USSR 56.2%, Czechoslovakia 3.9%, Poland 2.5%);developed countries 13.6% (Germany 2.1%, Greece 1.2%); less developedcountries 13.1% (Libya 5.8%, Iran 0.5%) (1990)Imports:$9.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:fuels, minerals, and raw materials 43.7%; machinery and equipment 45.2%;manufactured consumer goods 6.7%; agricultural products 3.8%; other 0.6%partners:former CMEA countries 70.9% (former USSR 52.7%, Poland 4.1%); developedcountries 20.2% (Germany 5.0%, Austria 2.1%); less developed countries 7.2%(Libya 2.0%, Iran 0.7%)External debt:$11.2 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate —14.7% (1990); accounts for about 37% of GNP (1990)Electricity:11,500,000 kW capacity; 45,000 million kWh produced, 5,040 kWh per capita(1990)
:Bulgaria Economy
Industries:machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles,building materials, ferrous and nonferrous metalsAgriculture:accounts for 22% of GNP (1990); climate and soil conditions supportlivestock raising and the growing of various grain crops, oilseeds,vegetables, fruits, and tobacco; more than one-third of the arable landdevoted to grain; world's fourth-largest tobacco exporter; surplus foodproducerIllicit drugs:transshipment point for southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan routeEconomic aid:donor - $1.6 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developedcountries (1956-89)Currency:lev (plural - leva); 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinkiExchange rates:leva (Lv) per US$1 - 17.18 (1 January 1992), 16.13 (March 1991), 0.7446(November 1990), 0.84 (1989), 0.82 (1988), 0.90 (1987); note - floatingexchange rate since February 1991Fiscal year:calendar year
:Bulgaria Communications
Railroads:4,300 km total, all government owned (1987); 4,055 km 1.435-meter standardgauge, 245 km narrow gauge; 917 km double track; 2,510 km electrifiedHighways:36,908 km total; 33,535 km hard surface (including 242 km superhighways);3,373 km earth roads (1987)Inland waterways:470 km (1987)Pipelines:crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 1,400 km (1986)Ports:Burgas, Varna, Varna West; river ports are Ruse, Vidin, and Lom on theDanubeMerchant marine:110 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 1,234,657 GRT/1,847,759 DWT;includes 2 short-sea passenger, 30 cargo, 2 container, 1 passenger-cargotraining, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 15 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical carrier, 2railcar carrier, 48 bulk; Bulgaria owns 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling8,717 DWT operating under Liberian registryCivil air:86 major transport aircraftAirports:380 total, 380 usable; about 120 with permanent-surface runways; 20 withrunways 2,440-3,659 m; 20 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:extensive radio relay; 2.5 million telephones; direct dialing to 36countries; phone density is 25 phones per 100 persons; 67% of Sofiahouseholds now have a phone (November 1988); broadcast stations - 20 AM, 15FM, and 29 TV, with 1 Soviet TV repeater in Sofia; 2.1 million TV sets(1990); 92% of country receives No. 1 television program (May 1990); 1satellite ground station using Intersputnik; INTELSAT is used through aGreek earth station
:Bulgaria Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Troops, Internal TroopsManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,181,421; 1,823,678 fit for military service; 65,942 reachmilitary age (19) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - 4.413 billion leva, 4.4% of GNP (1991); note -conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the currentexchange rate could produce misleading results
:Burkina Geography
Total area:274,200 km2Land area:273,800 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than ColoradoLand boundaries:3,192 km; Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, Ivory Coast 584 km, Mali 1,000 km,Niger 628 km, Togo 126 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submittedto the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJissued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept;Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including thetripoint with NigerClimate:tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summersTerrain:mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeastNatural resources:manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper,nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silverLand use:arable land 10%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 37%; forest andwoodland 26%; other 27%, includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:recent droughts and desertification severely affecting marginal agriculturalactivities, population distribution, economy; overgrazing; deforestationNote:landlocked
:Burkina People
Population:9,653,672 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992)Birth rate:49 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:16 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:—2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:117 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:52 years male, 53 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:7.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Burkinabe (singular and plural); adjective - BurkinabeEthnic divisions:more than 50 tribes; principal tribe is Mossi (about 2.5 million); otherimportant groups are Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and FulaniReligions:indigenous beliefs about 65%, Muslim 25%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic)10%Languages:French (official); tribal languages belong to Sudanic family, spoken by 90%of the populationLiteracy:18% (male 28%, female 9%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:3,300,000 residents; 30,000 are wage earners; agriculture 82%, industry 13%,commerce, services, and government 5%; 20% of male labor force migratesannually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (1984); 44% ofpopulation of working age (1985)Organized labor:four principal trade union groups represent less than 1% of population
:Burkina Government
Long-form name:Burkina FasoType:military; established by coup on 4 August 1983Capital:OuagadougouAdministrative divisions:30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou,Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga,Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie,Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, ZoundweogoIndependence:5 August 1960 (from France; formerly Upper Volta)Constitution:June 1991Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary lawNational holiday:Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)Executive branch:President, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) was dissolved on 25November 1980Judicial branch:Appeals CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)Political parties and leaders:Organization for Popular Democracy (ODP/MT), ruling party; Coordination ofDemocratic Forces (CFD), composed of opposition partiesSuffrage:noneElections:the National Assembly was dissolved 25 November 1980; presidential electionheld December 1991 and legislative election scheduled for 24 May 1992Communists:small Communist party front group; some sympathizersOther political or pressure groups:committees for the defense of the revolution, watchdog/political actiongroups throughout the country in both organizations and communitiesMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Paul Desire KABORE; Chancery at 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-5577 or 6895US:Ambassador Edward P. BYRNN; Embassy at Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou(mailing address is 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou); telephone [226] 30-67- 23through 25 and [226] 33-34-22; FAX [226] 31-23-68Flag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointedstar in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Burkina Economy
Overview:One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has a high populationdensity, few natural resources, and relatively infertile soil. Economicdevelopment is hindered by a poor communications network within a landlockedcountry. Agriculture provides about 40% of GDP and is entirely of asubsistence nature. Industry, dominated by unprofitablegovernment-controlled corporations, accounts for about 15% of GDP.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion, per capita $320 (1988); real growthrate 1.3% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):—0.5% (1989)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $275 million; expenditures $287 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1989)Exports:$262 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:oilseeds, cotton, live animals, goldpartners:EC 42% (France 30%, other 12%), Taiwan 17%, Ivory Coast 15% (1985)Imports:$619 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:grain, dairy products, petroleum, machinerypartners:EC 37% (France 23%, other 14%), Africa 31%, US 15% (1985)External debt:$962 million (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 5.7% (1990 est.), accounts for about 15% of GDP (1988)Electricity:120,000 kW capacity; 320 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles,goldAgriculture:accounts for about 40% of GDP; cash crops - peanuts, shea nuts, sesame,cotton; food crops - sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock; notself-sufficient in food grainsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9 billion;Communist countries (1970-89), $113 millionCurrency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)= 100 centimesExchange rates:CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26(1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Burkina Communications
Railroads:620 km total; 520 km Ouagadougou to Ivory Coast border and 100 kmOuagadougou to Kaya; all 1.00-meter gauge and single trackHighways:16,500 km total; 1,300 km paved, 7,400 km improved, 7,800 km unimproved(1985)Civil air:2 major transport aircraftAirports:48 total, 38 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:all services only fair; radio relay, wire, and radio communication stationsin use; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station
:Burkina Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, Peoples' MilitiaManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,904,647; 971,954 fit for military service; no conscriptionDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 2.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
:Burma Geography
Total area:678,500 km2Land area:657,740 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than TexasLand boundaries:5,876 km; Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km,Thailand 1,800 kmCoastline:1,930 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmContinental shelf:edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, Juneto September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lowerhumidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)Terrain:central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlandsNatural resources:crude oil, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, somemarble, limestone, precious stones, natural gasLand use:arable land 15%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest andwoodland 49%; other 34%; includes irrigated 2%Environment:subject to destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslidescommon during rainy season (June to September); deforestationNote:strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes
:Burma People
Population:42,642,418 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992)Birth rate:29 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:68 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:57 years male, 61 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Burmese (singular and plural); adjective - BurmeseEthnic divisions:Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Mon 2%, Indian 2%,other 5%Religions:Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%,animist beliefs 1%, other 2%Languages:Burmese; minority ethnic groups have their own languagesLiteracy:81% (male 89%, female 72%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:16,036,000; agriculture 65.2%, industry 14.3%, trade 10.1%, government 6.3%,other 4.1% (FY89 est.)Organized labor:Workers' Asiayone (association), 1,800,000 members; Peasants' Asiayone,7,600,000 members
:Burma Government
Long-form name:Union of Burma; note - the local official name is Pyidaungzu MyanmaNaingngandaw, which has been translated by the US Government as Union ofMyanma and by the Burmese as Union of MyanmarType:military regimeCapital:Rangoon (sometimes translated as Yangon)Administrative divisions:7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular - yin) and 7 states (pyine-mya, singular -pyine); Chin State, Irrawaddy*, Kachin State, Karan State, Kayah State,Magwe*, Mandalay*, Mon State, Pegu*, Rakhine State, Rangoon*, Sagaing*, ShanState, Tenasserim*Independence:4 January 1948 (from UK)Constitution:3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988)Legal system:martial law in effect throughout most of the country; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 4 January (1948)Executive branch:chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, State Law and OrderRestoration CouncilLegislative branch:unicameral People's Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw) was dissolved after the coupof 18 September 1988Judicial branch:Council of People's Justices was abolished after the coup of 18 September1988Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Gen. THAN SHWE(since 23 April 1992)Political parties and leaders:National Unity Party (NUP; proregime), THA KYAW; National League forDemocracy (NLD), U AUNG SHWE; National Coalition of Union of Burma (NCGUB),SEIN WIN - consists of individuals legitimately elected but not recognizedby military regime; fled to border area and joined with insurgents inDecember 1990 to form a parallel governmentSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:People's Assembly:last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened; results - NLD 80%; seats- (485 total) NLD 396, the regime-favored NUP 10, other 79Communists:several hundred (est.) in Burma Communist Party (BCP)Other political or pressure groups:Kachin Independence Army (KIA), United Wa State Army (UWSA), Karen NationalUnion (KNU) , several Shan factions, including the Shan United Army (SUA)(all ethnically based insurgent groups)Member of:AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
:Burma Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador U THAUNG; Chancery at 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008;telephone (202) 332-9044 through 9046; there is a Burmese Consulate Generalin New YorkUS:Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission, Charge d'Affaires Franklin P.HUDDLE, Jr.; Embassy at 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (mailing address is GPOBox 521, AMEMB Box B, APO AP 96546); telephone [95] (1) 82055, 82181; FAX[95] (1) 80409Flag:red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, all inwhite, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk ofrice; the 14 stars represent the 14 administrative divisions
:Burma Economy
Overview:Burma is a poor Asian country, with a per capita GDP of about $500. Thenation has been unable to achieve any substantial improvement in exportearnings because of falling prices for many of its major commodity exports.For rice, traditionally the most important export, the drop in world priceshas been accompanied by shrinking markets and a smaller volume of sales. In1985 teak replaced rice as the largest export and continues to hold thisposition. The economy is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector, whichgenerates about 40% of GDP and provides employment for 65% of the workforce. Burma has been largely isolated from international economic forcesand has been trying to encourage foreign investment, so far with littlesuccess.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $22.2 billion, per capita $530; real growth rate5.6% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):40% (1991)Unemployment rate:9.6% in urban areas (FY89 est.)Budget:revenues $7.2 billion; expenditures $9.3 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $6 billion (1991)Exports:$568 millioncommodities:teak, rice, oilseed, metals, rubber, gemspartners:Southeast Asia, India, Japan, China, EC, AfricaImports:$1.16 billioncommodities:machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, food productspartners:Japan, EC, China, Southeast AsiaExternal debt:$4.2 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 2.6% (FY90 est.); accounts for 10% of GDPElectricity:950,000 kW capacity; 2,900 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood and wood products;petroleum refining; mining of copper, tin, tungsten, iron; constructionmaterials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizerAgriculture:accounts for 40% of GDP (including fish and forestry); self-sufficient infood; principal crops - paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses;world's largest stand of hardwood trees; rice and teak account for 55% ofexport revenues; fish catch of 740,000 metric tons (FY90)Illicit drugs:world's largest illicit producer of opium poppy and minor producer ofcannabis for the international drug trade; opium production is on theincrease as growers respond to the collapse of Rangoon's antinarcoticprogramsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $158 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.9 billion;Communist countries (1970-89), $424 million
:Burma Economy
Currency:kyat (plural - kyats); 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyasExchange rates:kyats (K) per US$1 - 6.0963 (January 1992), 6.2837 (1991), 6.3386 (1990),6.7049 (1989), 6.46 (1988), 6.6535 (1987)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March