*Indian Ocean, Government
Digraph:XO
*Indian Ocean, Economy
Overview:The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East,Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries aparticularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growingimportance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export.Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the IndianOcean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are beingtapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and WesternAustralia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comesfrom the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshoreplacer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularlyIndia, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.Industries:based on exploitation of natural resources, particularly marine life,minerals, oil and gas production, fishing, sand and gravel aggregates,placer deposits
*Indian Ocean, Communications
Ports:Bombay (India), Calcutta (India), Madras (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka),Durban (South Africa), Fremantle (Australia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Melbourne(Australia), Richard's Bay (South Africa)Telecommunications:submarine cables from India to United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, and fromSri Lanka to Djibouti and Indonesia
*Indonesia, Geography
Location:Southeast Asia, between Malaysia and AustraliaMap references:Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1,919,440 km2land area:1,826,440 km2comparative area:slightly less than three times the size of TexasLand boundaries:total 2,602 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 kmCoastline:54,716 kmMaritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor Province) disputed with Portugaland not recognized by the UN; two islands in dispute with MalaysiaClimate:tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlandsTerrain:mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountainsNatural resources:petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils,coal, gold, silverLand use:arable land:8%permanent crops:3%meadows and pastures:7%forest and woodland:67%other:15%Irrigated land:75,500 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:archipelago of 13,500 islands (6,000 inhabited); occasional floods, severedroughts, and tsunamis; deforestationNote:straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes fromIndian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
*Indonesia, People
Population:197,232,428 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.61% (1993 est.)Birth rate:24.84 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:8.73 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:69.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:60.26 yearsmale:58.28 yearsfemale:62.34 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate: 2.86 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Indonesian(s)adjective:IndonesianEthnic divisions:Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26%Religions:Muslim 87%, Protestant 6%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other1% (1985)Languages:Bahasa Indonesia (modified form of Malay; official), English, Dutch, localdialects the most widely spoken of which is JavaneseLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:77%male:84%female:68%Labor force:67 millionby occupation:agriculture 55%, manufacturing 10%, construction 4%, transport andcommunications 3% (1985 est.)
*Indonesia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Indonesiaconventional short form:Indonesialocal long form:Republik Indonesialocal short form:Indonesiaformer name:Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East IndiesDigraph:IDType:republicCapital:JakartaAdministrative divisions:24 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions*, (daerah-daerahistimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capitalcity district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Bengkulu, Irian Jaya,, Jakarta Raya**,,Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, KalimantanBarat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Lampung,Maluku, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan,Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, SumateraSelatan, Sumatera Utara, Timor Timur, Yogyakarta*, Independence:17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesiabecame legally independent from the Netherlands)Constitution:August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and ProvisionalConstitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959Legal system:based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts andby new criminal procedures code; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 17 August (1945)Political parties and leaders:GOLKAR (quasi-official party based on functional groups), Lt. Gen. (Ret.)WAHONO, general chairman; Indonesia Democracy Party (PDI - federation offormer Nationalist and Christian Parties), SOERYADI, chairman; DevelopmentUnity Party (PPP, federation of former Islamic parties), Ismail HasanMETAREUM, chairmanSuffrage:17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of ageElections:House of Representatives:last held on 8 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - GOLKAR 68%,PPP 17%, PDI 15%; seats - (500 total, 400 elected, 100 appointed) GOLKAR282, PPP 62, PDI 56Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR); note -the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR)includes the DPR plus 500 indirectly elected members who meet every fiveyears to elect the president and vice president and, theoretically, todetermine national policy
*Indonesia, Government
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Gen. (Ret.) SOEHARTO (since 27 March 1968); Vice President Gen.(Ret.) Try SUTRISNO (since 11 March 1993)Member of:APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Abdul Rachman RAMLYchancery:2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone:(202) 775-5200consulates general:Houston, New York, and Los Angelesconsulates:Chicago and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Robert L. BARRYembassy:Medan Merdeka Selatan 5, Jakartamailing address:APO AP 96520telephone:[62] (21) 360-360FAX:[62] (21) 360-644consulates:Medan, SurabayaFlag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag ofMonaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white(top) and red
*Indonesia, Economy
Overview:Indonesia is a mixed economy with many socialist institutions and centralplanning but with a recent emphasis on deregulation and private enterprise.Indonesia has extensive natural wealth, yet, with a large and rapidlyincreasing population, it remains a poor country. Real GDP growth in 1985-92averaged about 6%, quite impressive, but not sufficient to both slashunderemployment and absorb the 2.3 million workers annually entering thelabor force. Agriculture, including forestry and fishing, is an importantsector, accounting for almost 20% of GDP and over 50% of the labor force.The staple crop is rice. Once the world's largest rice importer, Indonesiais now nearly self-sufficient. Plantation crops - rubber and palm oil - andtextiles and plywood are being encouraged for both export and jobgeneration. Industrial output now accounts for almost 40% of GDP and isbased on a supply of diverse natural resources, including crude oil, naturalgas, timber, metals, and coal. Of these, the oil sector dominates theexternal economy, generating more than 20% of the government's revenues and40% of export earnings in 1989. However, the economy's growth is highlydependent on the continuing expansion of nonoil exports. Japan remainsIndonesia's most important customer and supplier of aid. Rapid growth in themoney supply in 1989-90 prompted Jakarta to implement a tight monetarypolicy in 1991, forcing the private sector to go to foreign banks forinvestment financing. Real interest rates remained above 10% and off-shorecommercial debt grew. The growth in off-shore debt prompted Jakarta to limitforeign borrowing beginning in late 1991. Despite the continued problems inmoving toward a more open financial system and the persistence of a fairlytight credit situation, GDP growth in 1992 is estimated to have stayed at6%.National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $133 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:6% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$680 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:3% ; underemployment 45% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $17.2 billion; expenditures $23.4 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $8.9 billion (FY91)Exports:$29.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:petroleum and liquefied natural gas 40%, timber 15%, textiles 7%, rubber 5%,coffee 3%partners:Japan 37%, Europe 13%, US 12%, Singapore 8% (1991)Imports:$24.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:machinery 39%, chemical products 19%, manufactured goods 16%partners:Japan 25%, Europe 23%, US 13%, Singapore 5% (1991)External debt:$50.5 billion (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 11.6% (1989 est.); accounts for almost 40% of GDP
*Indonesia, Economy
Electricity:11,600,000 kW capacity; 38,000 million kWh produced, 200 kWh per capita(1990)Industries:petroleum and natural gas, textiles, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers,plywood, food, rubberAgriculture:accounts for almost 20% of GDP; subsistence food production; small-holderand plantation production for export; main products are rice, cassava,peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra, other tropical products,poultry, beef, pork, eggsIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade, but not amajor player; government actively eradicating plantings and prosecutingtraffickersEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $4.4 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $25.9 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $213 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $175millionCurrency:1 Indonesian rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen (sen no longer used)Exchange rates:Indonesian rupiahs (Rp) per US$1 - 2,064.7 (January 1993), 2,029.9 (1992),1,950.3 (1991), 1,842.8 (1990), 1,770.1 (1989), 1,685.7 (1988)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
*Indonesia, Communications
Railroads:6,964 km total; 6,389 km 1.067-meter gauge, 497 km 0.750-meter gauge, 78 km0.600-meter gauge; 211 km double track; 101 km electrified; all governmentownedHighways:119,500 km total; 11,812 km state, 34,180 km provincial, and 73,508 kmdistrict roadsInland waterways:21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460km, Celebes 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 kmPipelines:crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas 1,703 km (1989)Ports:Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Ujungpandang, Semarang,SurabayaMerchant marine:401 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,766,201 GRT/2,642,529 DWT; includes6 short-sea passenger, 13 passenger-cargo, 238 cargo, 10 container, 4roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 vehicle carrier, 78 oil tanker, 6 chemical tanker,6 liquefied gas, 7 specialized tanker, 1 livestock carrier, 26 bulk, 2passengerAirports:total:435usable:411with permanent-surface runways:119with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:11with runways 1,220-2,439 m:67Telecommunications:interisland microwave system and HF police net; domestic service fair,international service good; radiobroadcast coverage good; 763,000 telephones(1986); broadcast stations - 618 AM, 38 FM, 9 TV; satellite earth stations -1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earthstation; and 1 domestic satellite communications system
*Indonesia, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 53,160,364; fit for military service 31,395,254; reachmilitary age (18) annually 2,148,927 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion, 1.5% of GNP (FY93/94 est.)
*Iran, Geography
Location:Middle East, between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian SeaMap references:Asia, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1.648 million km2land area:1.636 million km2comparative area:slightly larger than AlaskaLand boundaries:total 5,440 km, Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan (north) 432km, Azerbaijan (northwest) 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey499 km, Turkmenistan 992 kmCoastline:2,440 kmnote:Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)Maritime claims:continental shelf:not specifiedexclusive fishing zone:50 nm in the Sea of Oman; continental shelf limit, continental shelfboundaries, or median lines in the Persian Gulfterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying towork out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from theireight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedomof navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; Iran occupiestwo islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE: Tunb as Sughra (Arabic),Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek (Persian) or Lesser Tunb, and Tunb al Kubra(Arabic), Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg (Persian) or Greater Tunb; it jointlyadministers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE,Abu Musa (Arabic) or Jazireh-ye Abu Musa (Persian); in 1992 the dispute overAbu Musa and the Tunb Islands became more acute when Iran unilaterally triedto control the entry of third country nationals into the UAE portion of AbuMusa island, Tehran subsequently backed off in the face of significantdiplomatic support for the UAE in the region; periodic disputes withAfghanistan over Helmand water rights,Climate:mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coastTerrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small,discontinuous plains along both coastsNatural resources:petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese,zinc, sulfurLand use:arable land:8%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:27%forest and woodland:11%
*Iran, Geography
other:54%Irrigated land:57,500 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:deforestation; overgrazing; desertification
*Iran, People
Population:63,369,809 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.49% (1993 est.)Birth rate:43 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:8.06 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:62.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:65.26 yearsmale:64.37 yearsfemale:66.19 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.4 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Iranian(s)adjective:IranianEthnic divisions:Persian 51%, Azerbaijani 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%,Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%Religions:Shi'a Muslim 95%, Sunni Muslim 4%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, andBaha'i 1%Languages:Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish9%, Luri 2%, Baloch 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:54%male:64%female:43%Labor force:15.4 millionby occupation:agriculture 33%, manufacturing 21%note:shortage of skilled labor (1988 est.)
*Iran, Government
Names:conventional long form:Islamic Republic of Iranconventional short form:Iranlocal long form:Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iranlocal short form:IranDigraph:IRType:theocratic republicCapital:TehranAdministrative divisions:24 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Azarbayjan-e Bakhtari,Azarbayjan-e Khavari, Bakhtaran, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari,Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Khorasan, Khuzestan,Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Ahmadi, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran,Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, ZanjanIndependence:1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)Constitution:2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency andeliminate the prime ministershipLegal system:the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of governmentNational holiday:Islamic Republic Day, 1 April (1979)Political parties and leaders:there are at least 18 licensed parties; the three most important are -Tehran Militant Clergy Association, Mohammad Reza MAHDAVI-KANI; MilitantClerics Association, Mehdi MAHDAVI-KARUBI and Mohammad AsqarMUSAVI-KHOINIHA; Fedaiyin Islam Organization, Sadeq KHALKHALIOther political or pressure groups:groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Hizballah,Hojjatiyeh Society, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution, Muslim StudentsFollowing the Line of the Imam; armed political groups that have been almostcompletely repressed by the government include Mojahedin-e KhalqOrganization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Kurdish Democratic Party; the Societyfor the Defense of FreedomSuffrage:15 years of age; universalElections:President:last held July 1989 (next to be held 11 June 1993); results - Ali AkbarHASHEMI-RAFSANJANI was elected with only token oppositionIslamic Consultative Assembly:last held 8 April 1992 (next to be held April 1996); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (270 seats total) number of seats by party NAExecutive branch:supreme leader (velay-t-e faqih), president, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami)Judicial branch:Supreme Court
*Iran, Government
Leaders:Supreme Leader and functional Chief of State:Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali HOSEINI-KHAMENEI (since 4June 1989)Head of Government:President Ali Akbar HASHEMI-RAFSANJANI (since 3 August 1989)Member of:CCC, CP, ESCAP, ECO, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, DCchancery:Iranian Interests Section, 2209 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 965-4990US diplomatic representation:protecting power in Iran is SwitzerlandFlag:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the nationalemblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah) in red is centered inthe white band; Allah Alkbar (God is Great) in white Arabic script isrepeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times alongthe top edge of the red band
*Iran, Economy
Overview:Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil andother large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale privatetrading and service ventures. After a decade of economic decline, Iran'sreal GDP grew by 10% in FY90 and 6% in FY91, according to Iranian Governmentstatistics. An oil windfall in 1990 combined with a substantial increase inimports contributed to Iran's recent economic growth. Iran has also begunimplementing a number of economic reforms to reduce government intervention(including subsidies) and has allocated substantial resources to developmentprojects in the hope of stimulating the economy. Lower oil revenues in 1991- oil accounts for more than 90% of export revenues - together with a surgein imports greatly weakened Iran's international financial position. Bymid-1992 Iran was unable to meet its obligations to foreign creditors.Subsequently the government has tried to boost oil exports, curb imports(especially of consumer goods), and renegotiate terms of its foreign debts.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $90 billion (FY92)National product real growth rate:6% (FY91)National product per capita:$1,500 (FY91)Inflation rate (consumer prices):23.7% (September 1991-September 1992)Unemployment rate:30% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $63 billion; expenditures $80 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $23 billion (FY90 est.)Exports:$17.2 billion (f.o.b., FY91 est.)commodities:petroleum 90%, carpets, fruits, nuts, hidespartners:Japan, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium/Luxembourg, Spain, and GermanyImports:$21.0 billion (c.i.f., FY91 est.)commodities:machinery, military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals,technical services, refined oil productspartners:Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, FranceExternal debt:$17 billion (FY91 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 12% (1990 est.); accounts for almost 30% of GDP, includingpetroleumElectricity: 15,649,000 kW capacity; 43,600 million kWh produced, 710 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other building materials,food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production),metal fabricatingAgriculture:accounts for about 20% of GDP; principal products - wheat, rice, othergrains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton, dairy products, wool, caviar; notself-sufficient in food
*Iran, Economy
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of opium poppy for the domestic and international drugtrade; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to EuropeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $1.0 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.675 billion;Communist countries (1970-89), $976 million; note - aid fell sharplyfollowing the 1979 revolutionCurrency:1 Iranian rial (IR) = 10 tomansExchange rates:Iranian rials (IR) per US$1 - 67.095 (January 1993), 65.552 (1992), 67.505(1991), 68.096 (1990), 72.015 (1989), 68.683 (1988); black-market rate 1,400(January 1991); note - in March 1993 the Iranian government announced a newsingle-parity exchange rate system with a new official rate of 1,538 rialsper dollarFiscal year:21 March - 20 March
*Iran, Communications
Railroads:4,852 km total; 4,760 km 1.432-meter gauge, 92 km 1.676-meter gauge; 480 kmunder construction from Bafq to Bandar-e Abbas, rail construction from Bafqto Sirjan has been completed and is operational; section from Sirjan toBandar-e Abbas still under constructionHighways:140,200 km total; 42,694 km paved surfaces; 46,866 km gravel and crushedstone; 49,440 km improved earth; 1,200 km (est.) rural road networkInland waterways:904 km; the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 meters and is in usePipelines:crude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km; natural gas 4,550 kmPorts:Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Bandar Beheshti,Bandar-e Abbas, Bandar-e Bushehr, Bandar-e Khomeyni, Bandar-e Torkeman(Caspian Sea port), Khorramshahr (repaired after being largely destroyed infighting during 1980-88 war) has been in limited operation since November1992Merchant marine:135 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,480,726 GRT/8,332,593 DWT; includes39 cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 32 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3refrigerated cargo, 48 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 1 liquefied gasAirports:total:219usable:194with permanent-surface runways:83with runways over 3,659 m:16with runways 2,440-3,659 m:20with runways 1,220-2,439 m:70Telecommunications:microwave radio relay extends throughout country; system centered in Tehran;2,143,000 telephones (35 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations -77 AM, 3 FM, 28 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey,Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber opticcable to UAE
*Iran, Defense Forces
Branches:Islamic Republic of Iran Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force,Revolutionary Guards (including Basij militia and own ground, air, and navalforces), Law Enforcement ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 13,812,367; fit for military service 8,218,286; reachmilitary age (21) annually 575,392 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:hard currency expenditures on defense are 7-10% of total hard currencyexpenditures; rial expenditures on defense are 8-13% of total rialexpenditures (1992 est.)note:conversion of rial expenditures into US dollars using the prevailingexchange rate could produce misleading results
*Iraq, Geography
Location:Middle East, between Iran and Saudi ArabiaMap references:Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:437,072 km2 land area:432,162 km2comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of IdahoLand boundaries:total 3,631 km, Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 242 km, Saudi Arabia814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 kmCoastline:58 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:not specifiedterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying towork out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from theireight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedomof navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; in April 1991official Iraqi acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 687, whichdemands that Iraq accept the inviolability of the boundary set forth in its1963 agreement with Kuwait, ending earlier claims to Bubiyan and WarbahIslands or to all of Kuwait; the 20 May 1993 final report of the UNIraq/Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission was welcomed by the SecurityCouncil in Resolution 833 of 27 May 1993, which also reaffirmed that thedecisions of the commission on the boundary were final, bringing to acompletion the official demarcation of the Iraq-Kuwait boundary; Iraqiofficials still make public statements claiming Kuwait; periodic disputeswith upstream riparian Syria over Euphrates water rights; potential disputeover water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates RiversClimate:mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers;northernmost regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience coldwinters with occasionally heavy snowsTerrain:mostly broad plains; reedy marshes in southeast; mountains along borderswith Iran and TurkeyNatural resources:petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfurLand use:arable land:12%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:9%forest and woodland:3%other:75%Irrigated land:25,500 km2 (1989 est)
*Iraq, Geography
Environment:development of Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreementswith upstream riparians (Syria, Turkey); air and water pollution; soildegradation (salinization) and erosion; desertification
*Iraq, People
Population:19,161,956 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.73% (1993 est.)Birth rate:44.57 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:71.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:64.96 yearsmale:64.2 yearsfemale:65.76 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.86 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Iraqi(s)adjective:IraqiEthnic divisions:Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%Religions:Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60-65%, Sunni 32-37%), Christian or other 3%Languages:Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, ArmenianLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:60%male:70%female:49%Labor force:4.4 million (1989)by occupation:services 48%, agriculture 30%, industry 22%note:severe labor shortage; expatriate labor force was about 1,600,000 (July1990); since then, it has declined substantially
*Iraq, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Iraqconventional short form:Iraqlocal long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyahlocal short form:Al IraqDigraph:IZType:republicCapital:BaghdadAdministrative divisions:18 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, AlMuthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil,Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din,WasitIndependence:3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)Constitution:22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (interim Constitution); newconstitution drafted in 1990 but not adoptedLegal system:based on Islamic law in special religious courts, civil law systemelsewhere; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Anniversary of the Revolution, 17 July (1968)Political parties and leaders:Ba'th PartyOther political or pressure groups:political parties and activity severely restricted; possibly some oppositionto regime from disaffected members of the regime, Army officers, and Shi'areligious and Kurdish ethnic dissidents; the Green Party(government-controlled)Suffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:National Assembly:last held on 1 April 1989 (next to be held NA); results - Sunni Arabs 53%,Shi'a Arabs 30%, Kurds 15%, Christians 2% est.; seats - (250 total) numberof seats by party NAnote:in northern Iraq, a "Kurdish Assembly" was elected in May 1992 and calls forKurdish self-determination within a federated IraqExecutive branch:president, vice president, chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council,vice chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, prime minister, firstdeputy prime minister, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani)Judicial branch:Court of Cassation
*Iraq, Government
Leaders:Chief of State:President SADDAM Husayn (since 16 July 1979); Vice President Taha Muhyial-Din MA'RUF (since 21 April 1974); Vice President Taha Yasin RAMADAN(since 23 March 1991)Head of Government:Prime Minister Muhammad Hamza al-ZUBAYDI (since 13 September 1991); DeputyPrime Minister Tariq 'AZIZ (since NA 1979)Member of:ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Iraq has an Interest Section in the Algerian embassy in Washington, DCchancery:Iraqi Interests Section, 1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone:(202) 483-7500FAX:(202) 462-5066US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); note - operations have been temporarily suspended; a US InterestsSection is located in Poland's embassy in Baghdadembassy:Masbah Quarter (opposite the Foreign Ministry Club), Baghdadmailing address:P. O. Box 2447 Alwiyah, Baghdadtelephone:[964] (1) 719-6138 or 719-6139, 718-1840, 719-3791Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three greenfive-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; thephrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to theright of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - wasadded in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag ofSyria that has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen that has aplain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt that has a symboliceagle centered in the white band
*Iraq, Economy
Overview:The Ba'thist regime engages in extensive central planning and management ofindustrial production and foreign trade while leaving some small-scaleindustry and services and most agriculture to private enterprise. Theeconomy has been dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionallyprovided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s, financialproblems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran anddamage to oil export facilities by Iran, led the government to implementausterity measures and to borrow heavily and later reschedule foreign debtpayments. After the end of hostilities in 1988, oil exports graduallyincreased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damagedfacilities. Agricultural development remained hampered by labor shortages,salinization, and dislocations caused by previous land reform andcollectivization programs. The industrial sector, although accorded highpriority by the government, also was under financial constraints. Iraq'sseizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economicembargoes, and military action by an international coalition beginning inJanuary 1991 drastically changed the economic picture. Industrial andtransportation facilities suffered severe damage and have been onlypartially restored. Oil exports remain at less than 10% of the previouslevel. Shortages of spare parts continue. Living standards deteriorated evenfurther in 1992 and early 1993; consumer prices at least tripled in 1992.The UN-sponsored economic embargo has reduced exports and imports and hascontributed to the sharp rise in prices. The government's policies ofsupporting large military and internal security forces and of allocatingresources to key supporters of the regime have exacerbated shortages. Inbrief, per capita output in early 1993 is far below the 1989-90 level, butno reliable estimate is available.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $35 billion (1989 est.)National product real growth rate:10% (1989 est.)National product per capita:$1,940 (1989 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):200% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:less than 5% (1989 est.)Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$10.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:crude oil and refined products, fertilizer, sulfurpartners:US, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, Netherlands, Spain (1990)Imports:$6.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:manufactures, foodpartners:Germany, US, Turkey, France, UK (1990)External debt:$45 billion (1989 est.), excluding debt of about $35 billion owed to ArabGulf statesIndustrial production: NA%; manufacturing accounts for 10% of GNP (1989)
*Iraq, Economy
Electricity:7,300,000 kW available out of 9,902,000 kW capacity due to Gulf war; 12,900million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:petroleum production and refining, chemicals, textiles, constructionmaterials, food processingAgriculture:accounts for 11% of GNP and 30% of labor force; principal products - wheat,barley, rice, vegetables, dates, other fruit, cotton, wool; livestock -cattle, sheep; not self-sufficient in food outputEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $3 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $647 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $3.9 billionCurrency:1 Iraqi dinar (ID) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:Iraqi dinars (ID) per US$1 - 3.2 (fixed official rate since 1982);black-market rate (April 1993) US$1 = 53.5 Iraqi dinarsFiscal year:calendar year
*Iraq, Communications
Railroads:2,457 km 1.435-meter standard gaugeHighways:34,700 km total; 17,500 km paved, 5,500 km improved earth, 11,700 kmunimproved earthInland waterways:1,015 km; Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 meters and is in use; Tigris andEuphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft watercraft; Shattal Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991because of the Persian Gulf warPipelines:crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas 1,360 kmPorts:Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, Al Basrah (closed since 1980)Merchant marine:41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 930,780 GRT/1,674,878 DWT; includes 1passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 15 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 3roll-on/roll-off cargo, 19 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker; note - none of theIraqi flag merchant fleet was trading internationally as of 1 January 1993Airports:total:114usable: 99with permanent-surface runways:74with runways over 3,659 m:9with runways 2,440-3,659 m:52with runways 1,220-2,439 m:12Telecommunications:reconstitution of damaged telecommunication facilities began after DesertStorm, most damaged facilities have been rebuilt; the network consists ofcoaxial cables and microwave radio relay links; 632,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 16 AM, 1 FM, 13 TV; satellite earth stations - 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Atlantic Ocean GORIZONTin the Intersputnik system and 1 ARABSAT; coaxial cable and microwave radiorelay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey, Kuwait line is probablynon-operational
*Iraq, Defense Forces
Branches:Army and Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border GuardForce, Internal Security ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 4,235,321; fit for military service 2,379,999; reachmilitary age (18) annually 211,776 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP
*Ireland, Geography
Location:in the North Atlantic Ocean, across the Irish Sea from Great BritainMap references:Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:70,280 km2land area:68,890 km2comparative area:slightly larger than West VirginiaLand boundaries:total 360 km, UK 360 kmCoastline:1,448 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:not specifiedexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:Northern Ireland question with the UK; Rockall continental shelf disputeinvolving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed aboundary agreement in the Rockall area)Climate:temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, coolsummers; consistently humid; overcast about half the timeTerrain:mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and lowmountains; sea cliffs on west coastNatural resources:zinc, lead, natural gas, petroleum, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone,dolomite, peat, silverLand use:arable land:14%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:71%forest and woodland:5%other:10%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:deforestationNote:strategic location on major air and sea routes between North American andnorthern Europe
*Ireland, People
Population:3,529,566 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.26% (1993 est.)Birth rate:14.39 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:8.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-3.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.38 yearsmale:72.56 yearsfemale: 78.36 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.02 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Irishman(men), Irishwoman(men), Irish (collective plural)adjective:IrishEthnic divisions:Celtic, EnglishReligions:Roman Catholic 93%, Anglican 3%, none 1%, unknown 2%, other 1% (1981)Languages:Irish (Gaelic), spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard,English is the language generally usedLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1981)total population:98%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:1.37 millionby occupation:services 57.0%, manufacturing and construction 28%, agriculture, forestry,and fishing 13.5%, energy and mining 1.5% (1992)
*Ireland, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:IrelandDigraph:EIType:republicCapital:DublinAdministrative divisions:26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry,Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath,Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath,Wexford, WicklowIndependence:6 December 1921 (from UK)Constitution:29 December 1937; adopted 1937Legal system:based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts;judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Saint Patrick's Day, 17 MarchPolitical parties and leaders:Democratic Left, Proinsias DE ROSSA; Fianna Fail, Albert REYNOLDS; LaborParty, Richard SPRING; Fine Gael, John BRUTON; Communist Party of Ireland,Michael O'RIORDAN; Sinn Fein, Gerry ADAMS; Progressive Democrats, DesmondO'MALLEYnote:Prime Minister REYNOLDS heads a coalition consisting of the Fianna Fail andthe Labor PartySuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 9 November 1990 (next to be held November 1997); results - MaryBourke ROBINSON 52.8%, Brian LENIHAN 47.2%Senate:last held on NA February 1992 (next to be held February 1997); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total, 49 elected) Fianna Fail 26,Fine Gael 16, Labor 9, Progressive Democrats 2, Democratic Left 1,independents 6House of Representatives:last held on 25 November 1992 (next to be held by June 1995); results -Fianna Fail 39.1%, Fine Gael 24.5%, Labor Party 19.3%, Progressive Democrats4.7%, Democratic Left 2.8%, Sinn Fein 1.6%, Workers' Party 0.7%,independents 5.9%; seats - (166 total) Fianna Fail 68, Fine Gael 45, LaborParty 33, Progressive Democrats 10, Democratic Left 4, Greens 1,independents 5Executive branch:president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) consists of an upper house or Senate(Seanad Eireann) and a lower house or House of Representatives (DailEireann)
*Ireland, Government
Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Mary Bourke ROBINSON (since 9 November 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister Albert REYNOLDS (since 11 February 1992)Member of:Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, COCOM (cooperating country), CSCE, EBRD, EC,ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NEA, NSG,OECD, ONUSAL, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,UNPROFRO, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Dermot A. GALLAGHER chancery:2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008telephone:(202) 462-3939consulates general:Boston, Chicago, New York, and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador William Henry G. FITZGERALD; Ambassador Designate Jean KennedySMITH (17 March 1993)embassy:42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublinmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[353] (1) 687122FAX:[353] (1) 689946Flag:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similarto the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colorsreversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flagof Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, andred
*Ireland, Economy
Overview:The economy is small and trade dependent. Agriculture, once the mostimportant sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 37% of GDP,about 80% of exports, and employs 28% of the labor force. Since 1987, realGDP growth, led by exports, has averaged 4% annually. Over the same period,inflation has fallen sharply and chronic trade deficits have beentransformed into annual surpluses. Unemployment, at 22.7% remains a seriousproblem, however, and job creation is the main focus of government policy.To ease unemployment, Dublin aggressively courts foreign investors andrecently created a new industrial development agency to aid small indigenousfirms. Government assistance is constrained by Dublin's continuing deficitreduction measures. After five years of fiscal restraint, total governmentdebt still exceeds GDP. Growth probably will moderate in 1993 as the heavilyindebted and trade-dependent economy is highly sensitive to changes inexchange rates and world interest rates. Exports to the UK, Ireland's majorexport market, probably will be hurt by the recent appreciation of the Irishcurrency against sterling - for the first time since 1979 the value of theIrish pound exceeds that of its British counterpart.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $42.4 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:2% (1992)National product per capita:$12,000 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (1992)Unemployment rate: 22.7% (1992)Budget:revenues $16.0 billion; expenditures $16.6 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $1.6 billion (1992 est.)Exports:$28.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:chemicals, data processing equipment, industrial machinery, live animals,animal productspartners:EC 75% (UK 32%, Germany 13%, France 10%), US 9%Imports:$23.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:food, animal feed, data processing equipment, petroleum and petroleumproducts, machinery, textiles, clothingpartners:EC 66% (UK 41%, Germany 8%, Netherlands 4%), US 15%External debt:$15 billion (1990)Industrial production:growth rate 8.0% (1992 est.); accounts for 37% of GDPElectricity:5,000,000 kW capacity; 14,500 million kWh produced, 4,120 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal
*Ireland, Economy
Agriculture:accounts for 11% of GDP and 13% of the labor force; principal crops -turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; livestock - meat and dairyproducts; 85% self-sufficient in food; food shortages include bread grain,fruits, vegetablesEconomic aid:donor - ODA commitments (1980-89), $90 millionCurrency:1 Irish pound (#Ir) = 100 penceExchange rates:Irish pounds (#Ir) per US$1 - 0.6118 (January 1993), 0.5864 (1992), 0.6190(1991), 0.6030 (1990), 0.7472 (1989), 0.6553 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Ireland, Communications
Railroads:Irish National Railways (CIE) operates 1,947 km 1.602-meter gauge,government owned; 485 km double track; 37 km electrifiedHighways: 92,294 km total; 87,422 km paved, 4,872 km gravel or crushed stoneInland waterways:limited for commercial trafficPipelines:natural gas 225 kmPorts:Cork, Dublin, WaterfordMerchant marine:57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 154,647 GRT/186,432 DWT; includes 4short-sea passenger, 33 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 4 container, 3 oiltanker, 3 specialized tanker, 3 chemical tanker, 5 bulkAirports:total:40usable:39with permanent-surface runways:13with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:6Telecommunications:modern system using cable and digital microwave circuits; 900,000telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 45 FM, 86 TV; 2 coaxial submarinecables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Ireland, Defense Forces
Branches:Army (including Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (GardaSiochana)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 903,536; fit for military service 731,085; reach militaryage (17) annually 33,932 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $569 million, 1-2% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Israel, Header
Affiliation:(also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries)Note:The Arab territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not includedin the data below. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmedby President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status ofthe West Bank and Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and apeace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among theconcerned parties. The Camp David Accords further specify that thesenegotiations will resolve the location of the respective boundaries. Pendingthe completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of theWest Bank and Gaza Strip has yet to be determined (see West Bank and GazaStrip entries). On 25 April 1982, Israel relinquished control of the Sinaito Egypt. Statistics for the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are included inthe Syria entry.
*Israel, Geography
Location:Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt andLebanonMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:20,770 km2land area:20,330 km2comparative area:slightly larger than New JerseyLand boundaries:total 1,006 km, Egypt 255 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 kmCoastline:273 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:separated from Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank by the 1949 Armistice Line;differences with Jordan over the location of the 1949 Armistice Line thatseparates the two countries; West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupiedwith status to be determined; Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Israelitroops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; water-sharing issues with JordanClimate:temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areasTerrain:Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan RiftValleyNatural resources:copper, phosphates, bromide, potash, clay, sand, sulfur, asphalt, manganese,small amounts of natural gas and crude oilLand use:arable land:17%permanent crops:5%meadows and pastures:40%forest and woodland:6%other: 32%Irrigated land:2,140 km2 (1989)Environment:sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; limited arable land andnatural water resources pose serious constraints; deforestationNote:there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, 38 in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights, 18 in the Gaza Strip, and 14 Israeli-builtJewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem
*Israel, People
Population:4,918,946 (July 1993 est.)note:includes 102,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank, 14,000 in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights, 4,000 in the Gaza Strip, and 134,000 in EastJerusalem (1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.08% (1993 est.)Birth rate:20.72 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:6.45 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:16.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:77.77 yearsmale:75.72 yearsfemale:79.93 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.86 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Israeli(s)adjective:IsraeliEthnic divisions:Jewish 83%, non-Jewish 17% (mostly Arab)Religions:Judaism 82%, Islam 14% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2%, Druze and other2%Languages:Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English mostcommonly used foreign languageLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1983)total population: 92%male:95%female:89%Labor force:1.4 million (1984 est.)by occupation:public services 29.3%, industry, mining, and manufacturing 22.8%, commerce12.8%, finance and business 9.5%, transport, storage, and communications6.8%, construction and public works 6.5%, personal and other services 5.8%,agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.5%, electricity and water 1.0% (1983)
*Israel, Government
Names:conventional long form:State of Israelconventional short form:Israellocal long form:Medinat Yisra'ellocal short form:Yisra'elDigraph:ISType:republicCapital:Jerusalemnote:Israel proclaimed Jerusalem its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly allother countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel AvivAdministrative divisions:6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem,Northern, Southern, Tel AvivIndependence:14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)Constitution:no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filledby the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the basic laws of the parliament(Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship lawLegal system:mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personalmatters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985,Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsoryICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 14 May 1948 (Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948,but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May)Political parties and leaders:members of the government:Labor Party, Prime Minister Yitzhak RABIN; MERETZ, Minister of EducationShulamit ALONI; SHAS, Minister of Interior Arieh DERIopposition parties:Likud Party, Binyamin NETANYAHU; Tzomet, Rafael EITAN; National ReligiousParty, Zevulun HAMMER; United Torah Jewry, Avraham SHAPIRA; Democratic Frontfor Peace and Equality (Hadash), Hashim MAHAMID; Moledet, Rehavam ZEEVI;Arab Democratic Party, Abd al Wahab DARAWSHAHnote:Israel currently has a coalition government comprising 3 parties that hold62 seats of the Knesset's 120 seatsOther political or pressure groups:Gush Emunim, Jewish nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the WestBank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now, critical of government's West Bank/GazaStrip and Lebanon policiesSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 24 March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1999); results - EzerWEIZMAN elected by Knesset
*Israel, Government
Knesset:last held June 1992 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (120 total) Labor Party 44, Likud bloc 32, Meretz 12,Tzomet 8, National Religious Party 6, Shas 6, United Torah Jewry 4,Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3, Moledet 3, Arab Democratic Party2Executive branch:president, prime minister, vice prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral parliament (Knesset)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Ezer WEIZMAN (since 13 May 1993)Head of Government:Prime Minister Yitzhak RABIN (since July 1992)Member of:AG (observer), CCC, CERN (oberver), EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Itamar RABINOVICHchancery:3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 364-5500consulates general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York,Philadelphia, and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation: chief of mission:Acting Ambassador William BROWNembassy:71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Avivmailing address:APO AE 09830telephone:[972] (3) 654338FAX:[972] (3) 663449consulate general:JerusalemFlag:white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the MagenDavid (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bandsnear the top and bottom edges of the flag
*Israel, Economy
Overview:Israel has a market economy with substantial government participation. Itdepends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and militaryequipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensivelydeveloped its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years.Industry employs about 20% of Israeli workers, agriculture 5%, and servicesmost of the rest. Diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agriculturalproducts (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports. Israel usually postsbalance-of-payments deficits, which are covered by large transfer paymentsfrom abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's $17billion external debt is owed to the United States, which is its majorsource of economic and military aid. To earn needed foreign exchange, Israelhas been targeting high-technology niches in international markets, such asmedical scanning equipment. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the formerUSSR, which topped 400,000 during the period 1990-92, has increasedunemployment, intensified housing problems, and widened the governmentbudget deficit. At the same time, a considerable number of the immigrantsbring to the economy valuable scientific and professional expertise.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $57.4 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:6.4% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$12,100 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):10% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:11% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $33.9 billion; expenditures $36.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $9.3 billion (FY93)Exports:$11.8 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:polished diamonds, citrus and other fruits, textiles and clothing, processedfoods, fertilizer and chemical products, military hardware, electronicspartners:US, EC, Japan, Hong Kong, SwitzerlandImports:$19.6 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:military equipment, rough diamonds, oil, chemicals, machinery, iron andsteel, cereals, textiles, vehicles, ships, aircraftpartners:US, EC, Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Hong KongExternal debt:$25 billion of which government debt is $17 billion (December 1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 9.4% (1992 est.); accounts for about 20% of GDPElectricity:5,835,000 kW capacity; 21,840 million kWh produced, 4,600 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles, clothing,chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transport equipment,electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining,high-technology electronics, tourism
*Israel, Economy
Agriculture:accounts for about 3% of GDP; largely self-sufficient in food production,except for grains; principal products - citrus and other fruits, vegetables,cotton; livestock products - beef, dairy, poultryEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $18.2 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.8 billionCurrency:1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorotExchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.8000 (December 1992), 2.4591 (1992),2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
*Israel, Communications
Railroads:600 km 1.435-meter gauge, single track; diesel operatedHighways:4,750 km; majority is bituminous surfacedPipelines:crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 kmPorts:Ashdod, HaifaMerchant marine:35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 678,584 GRT/785,220 DWT; includes 8cargo, 24 container, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off; note - Israelalso maintains a significant flag of convenience fleet, which is normally atleast as large as the Israeli flag fleet; the Israeli flag of conveniencefleet typically includes all of its oil tankersAirports:total:53usable:46with permanent-surface runways:28with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:7with runways 1,220-2,439 m:12Telecommunications:most highly developed in the Middle East although not the largest; goodsystem of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; 1,800,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 14 AM, 21 FM, 20 TV; 3 submarine cables; satelliteearth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT
*Israel, Defense Forces
Branches:Israel Defense Forces (including ground, naval, and air components)note:historically, there have been no separate Israeli military servicesManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,240,757; females age 15-49 1,218,610; males fit formilitary service 1,018,212; females fit for military service 996,089; malesreach military age (18) annually 46,131; females reach military age (18)annually 44,134 (1993 est.); both sexes are liable for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $12.5 billion, 18% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Italy, Geography
Location:Southern Europe, a peninsula in the central Mediterranean SeaMap references:Africa, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:301,230 km2land area:294,020 km2comparative area:slightly larger than Arizonanote:includes Sardinia and SicilyLand boundaries:total 1,899.2 km, Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 kmCoastline:4,996 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:small vocal minority in northern Italy seeks the return of parts ofsouthwestern SloveniaClimate:predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in southTerrain:mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlandsNatural resources:mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling natural gas and crude oilreserves, fish, coalLand use:arable land:32%permanent crops:10%meadows and pastures:17%forest and woodland:22%other:19%Irrigated land:31,000 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:regional risks include landslides, mudflows, snowslides, earthquakes,volcanic eruptions, flooding, pollution; land sinkage in VeniceNote:strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern seaand air approaches to Western Europe