*Sierra Leone, People
Population:4,510,571 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.61% (1993 est.)Birth rate:45.47 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:19.39 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:145 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:45.87 yearsmale:43.1 yearsfemale:48.71 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.01 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Sierra Leonean(s)adjective:Sierra LeoneanEthnic divisions:13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%), Creole,European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%Religions:Muslim 30%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%, other or none 30%Languages:English (official; regular use limited to literate minority), Mendeprincipal vernacular in the south, Temne principal vernacular in the north,Krio the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown areaand is lingua francaLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write English, Merde, Temne, or Arabic (1990)total population:21%male:31%female:11%Labor force:1.369 million (1981 est.)by occupation:agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.)note:only about 65,000 wage earners (1985); 55% of population of working age
*Sierra Leone, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Sierra Leoneconventional short form:Sierra LeoneDigraph:SLType:military governmentCapital:FreetownAdministrative divisions:3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*, Independence:27 April 1961 (from UK)Constitution:1 October 1991; amended September 1991Legal system:based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Republic Day, 27 April (1961)Political parties and leaders:status of existing political parties is unknown following 29 April 1992 coupSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:suspended after 29 April 1992 coup; Chairman STRASSER promises multi-partyelections sometime within three yearsExecutive branch:National Provisional Ruling CouncilLegislative branch:unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Chairman of the Supreme Council of State Capt. Valentine E. M. STRASSER(since 29 April 1992)Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU,OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant)chancery:1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 939-9261US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Lauralee M. PETERSembassy:Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetownmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[232] (22) 226-481
*Sierra Leone, Government
FAX:[232] (22) 225-471Flag:three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
*Sierra Leone, Economy
Overview:The economic and social infrastructure is not well developed. Subsistenceagriculture dominates the economy, generating about one-third of GDP andemploying about two-thirds of the working population. Manufacturing, whichaccounts for roughly 10% of GDP, consists mainly of the processing of rawmaterials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond miningprovides an important source of hard currency. The economy suffers from highunemployment, rising inflation, large trade deficits, and a growingdependency on foreign assistance. The government in 1990 was attempting toget the budget deficit under control and, in general, to bring economicpolicy in line with the recommendations of the IMF and the World Bank. SinceMarch 1991, however, military incursions by Liberian rebels in southern andeastern Sierra Leone have severely strained the economy and have underminedefforts to institute economic reforms.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion (FY92 est.)National product real growth rate:-1% (FY92 est.)National product per capita:$330 (FY92 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5% (1992)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $68 million; expenditures $118 million, including capitalexpenditures of $28 million (FY92 est.)Exports:$75 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.)commodities:rutile 50%, bauxite 17%, cocoa 11%, diamonds 3%, coffee 3%partners:US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western EuropeImports:$62 million (c.i.f., FY92 est.)commodities:capital goods 40%, food 32%, petroleum 12%, consumer goods 7%, lightindustrial goodspartners:US, EC countries, Japan, China, NigeriaExternal debt:$633 million (FY92 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:85,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 45 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing (beverages,textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refineryAgriculture:accounts for over 30% of GDP and two-thirds of the labor force; largelysubsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, palm kernels; harvests offood staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fish catch averages53,000 metric tonsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101million
*Sierra Leone, Economy
Currency:1 leone (Le) = 100 centsExchange rates:leones (Le) per US$1 - 552.43 (January 1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34 (1991),144.9275 (1990), 58.1395 (1989), 31.2500 (1988)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
*Sierra Leone, Communications
Railroads:84 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge mineral line is used on a limited basisbecause the mine at Marampa is closedHighways:7,400 km total; 1,150 km paved, 490 km laterite (some gravel), 5,760 kmimproved earthInland waterways:800 km; 600 km navigable year roundPorts:Freetown, Pepel, BontheMerchant marine:1 cargo ship totaling 5,592 GRT/9,107 DWTAirports:total:11usable:7with permanent-surface runways:4with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:marginal telephone and telegraph service; national microwave radio relaysystem unserviceable at present; 23,650 telephones; broadcast stations - 1AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Sierra Leone, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Police, Security ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 983,281; fit for military service 475,855 (1993 est.); noconscriptionDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $6 million, 0.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
*Singapore, Geography
Location:Southeast Asia, between Malaysia and IndonesiaMap references:Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:632.6 km2land area:622.6 km2comparative area:slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:193 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:12 nmterritorial sea:3 nmInternational disputes:two islands in dispute with MalaysiaClimate:tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons;thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)Terrain:lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area andnature preserveNatural resources:fish, deepwater portsLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:7%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:5%other:84%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:mostly urban and industrializedNote:focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
*Singapore, People
Population:2,826,331 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.19% (1993 est.)Birth rate:17.12 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.25 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.75 yearsmale:73.07 yearsfemale:78.63 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.89 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Singaporean(s)adjective:SingaporeEthnic divisions:Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3%Religions:Buddhist (Chinese), Atheist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu,Sikh, Taoist, ConfucianistLanguages:Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English(official)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:88%male:93%female:84%Labor force:1,485,800by occupation:financial, business, and other services 30.2%, manufacturing 28.4%, commerce22.0%, construction 9.0%, other 10.4% (1990)
*Singapore, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Singaporeconventional short form:SingaporeDigraph:SNType:republic within CommonwealthCapital: SingaporeAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)Constitution:3 June 1959, amended 1965; based on preindependence State of SingaporeConstitutionLegal system:based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 9 August (1965)Political parties and leaders:government:People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary generalopposition:Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; Singapore Democratic Party (SDP),CHIAM See Tong; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis(BS, Socialist Front), leader NASuffrage:20 years of age; universal and compulsoryElections:President:last held 31 August 1989 (next to be held NA August 1993); results -President WEE Kim Wee was reelected by Parliament without oppositionParliament:last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held 31 August 1996); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1Executive branch:president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral ParliamentJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President WEE Kim Wee (since 3 September 1985)Head of Government:Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime MinisterLEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime Minister ONG TengCheong (since 2 January 1985)Member of:APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, COCOM (cooperating country), CP, ESCAP, G-77,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UPU,WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador S. R. NATHAN
*Singapore, Government
chancery:1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone:(202) 667-7555US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Jon M. HUNTSMAN, Jr.embassy:30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617mailing address:FPO AP 96534telephone:[65] 338-0251FAX:[65] 338-4550Flag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side ofthe red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is towardthe hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arrangedin a circle
*Singapore, Economy
Overview:Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service andmanufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived fromits entrepot history. The economy appears to have pulled off a soft landingfrom the 9% growth rate of the late 1980s, registering higher than expectedgrowth in 1992 while stemming inflation. Economic activity slowed early in1992, primarily as a result of slackened demand in Singapore's exportmarkets. But after bottoming out in the second quarter, the economy pickedup in line with a gradual recovery in the United States. The year's bestperformers were the construction and financial services industries andmanufacturers of computer-related components. Rising labor costs continue tobe a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, but there are indications thatproductivity is catching up. Government surpluses and the rate of grossnational savings remain high. In technology, per capita output, and labordiscipline, Singapore is well on its way toward its goal of becoming adeveloped country.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $45.9 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:5.8% (1992)National product per capita:$16,500 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3% (1992)Unemployment rate:2.7% (June 1992)Budget:revenues $10.4 billion; expenditures $9.4 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1993)Exports:$61.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products,telecommunications equipmentpartners:US 21%, Malaysia 13%, Hong Kong 8%, Japan 7%, Thailand 6%Imports:$66.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffspartners:Japan 21%, US 16%, Malaysia 14%, Taiwan 4%External debt:$0 Singapore is a net creditorIndustrial production:growth rate 2.3% (1992); accounts for 28% of GDPElectricity:4,860,000 kW capacity; 18,000 million kWh produced, 6,420 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processingand rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepottrade, financial services, biotechnologyAgriculture:occupies a position of minor importance in the economy; self-sufficient inpoultry and eggs; must import much of other food; major crops - rubber,copra, fruit, vegetables
*Singapore, Economy
Illicit drugs:transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe,and the Third World; also a major money-laundering centerEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.0 billionCurrency:1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.6531 (January 1993), 1.6290 (1992),1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989), 2.0124 (1988)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
*Singapore, Communications
Railroads:38 km of 1.000-meter gaugeHighways:2,644 km total (1985)Ports:SingaporeMerchant marine:492 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,763,511 GRT/15,816,384 DWT;includes 1 passenger-cargo, 125 cargo, 72 container, 7 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 18 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 165oil tanker, 8 chemical tanker, 7 combination ore/oil, 2 specialized tanker,5 liquefied gas, 74 bulk, 3 combination bulk; note - many Singapore flagships are foreign ownedAirports:total:10usable:10with permanent-surface runways:10with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:good domestic facilities; good international service; good radio andtelevision broadcast coverage; 1,110,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; submarine cables extend to Malaysia (Sabah and peninsularMalaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
*Singapore, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 853,440; fit for military service 629,055 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 4% of GDP (1990 est.)
*Slovakia, Geography
Location:Eastern Europe, between Hungary and PolandMap references:Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:48,845 km2land area:48,800 km2comparative area:about twice the size of New HampshireLand boundaries:total 1,355 km, Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km, Poland444 km, Ukraine 90 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims: none; landlockedInternational disputes:Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issueswith Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federalproperty; establishment of international border between the Czech Republicand SlovakiaClimate:temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid wintersTerrain:rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the southNatural resources:brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore;salt; gasLand use:arable land:NA%permanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:NA%forest and woodland:NA%other:NA%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:severe damage to forests from "acid rain" caused by coal-fired powerstationsNote:landlocked
*Slovakia, People
Population:5,375,501 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.51% (1993 est.)Birth rate:14.59 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:9.47 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:72.39 yearsmale:68.18 yearsfemale:76.85 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Slovak(s)adjective:SlovakEthnic divisions:Slovak 85.6%, Hungarian 10.8%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figuresunderreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more),Czech 1.1%, Ruthenian 15,000, Ukrainian 13,000, Moravian 6,000, German5,000, Polish 3,000Religions:Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other17.5%Languages:Slovak (official), HungarianLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:2.484 millionby occupation:industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communication andother 44.3% (1990)
*Slovakia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Slovak Republicconventional short form:Slovakialocal long form:Slovenska Republikalocal short form:SlovenskoDigraph:LOType:parliamentary democracyCapital:BratislavaAdministrative divisions:4 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) Bratislava,Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, VychodoslovenskyIndependence:1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)Constitution:ratified 3 September 1992; fully effective 1 January 1993Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with theobligations of Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) andto expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theoryNational holiday:Slovak National Uprising, August 29 (1944)Political parties and leaders:Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, Vojtech BUGAR; Christian DemocraticMovement, Jan CARNOGURSKY; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, VladimirMECIAR, chairman; Party of the Democratic Left, Peter WEISS, chairman;Slovak National Party, Ludovit CERNAK, chairman; Coexistence, Miklos DURAY,chairman; Party of Conservative Democrats, leader NAOther political or pressure groups:Green Party; Democratic Party; Social Democratic Party in Slovakia; Movementfor Czech-Slovak Accord; Freedom Party; Slovak Christian Union; HungarianCivic PartySuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Michal KOVACelected by the National CouncilNational Council:last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held NA June 1996); results - Movementfor a Democratic Slovakia 37%, Party of the Democratic Left 15%, ChristianDemocratic Movement 9%, Slovak National Party 8%, Hungarian ChristianDemocratic Movement/Coexistence 7%; seats - (150 total) Movement for aDemocratic Slovakia, 74, Party of the Democratic Left 29, ChristianDemocratic Movement 18, Slovak National Party 15, Hungarian ChristianDemocratic Movement/Coexistence 14Executive branch:president, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Council (Narodni Rada)Judicial branch:Supreme Court
*Slovakia, Government
Leaders:Chief of State:President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993)Head of Government:Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since NA), Deputy Prime Minister Roman KOVAC(since NA)Member of:BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, PCA, UN (as of 8January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Charge d'Affaires Dr. Milan ERBAN chancery:3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 363-6315 or 6316US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Elect Eleanor SUTTERembassy:Hviczdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:427 330 861Flag:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed witha crest with a white double cross on three blue mountains
*Slovakia, Economy
Overview:The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent states - the CzechRepublic and Slovakia - on 1 January 1993 has complicated the task of movingtoward a more open and decentralized economy. The old Czechoslovakia, eventhough highly industrialized by East European standards, suffered from anaging capital plant, lagging technology, and a deficiency in energy and manyraw materials. In January 1991, approximately one year after the end ofcommunist control of Eastern Europe, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republiclaunched a sweeping program to convert its almost entirely state-owned andcontrolled economy to a market system. In 1991-92 these measures resulted inprivatization of some medium- and small-scale economic activity and thesetting of more than 90% of prices by the market - but at a cost ininflation, unemployment, and lower output. For Czechoslovakia as a wholeinflation in 1991 was roughly 50% and output fell 15%. In 1992 in Slovakia,inflation slowed to an estimated 8.7% and the estimated fall in GDP was amore moderate 7%. In 1993 the government anticipates up to a 7% drop in GDP,with the disruptions from the separation from the Czech lands probablyaccounting for half the decline; inflation, according to governmentprojections, may rise to 15-20% and unemployment may reach 12-15%. TheSlovak government is moving ahead less enthusiastically than the Czechgovernment in the further dismantling of the old centrally controlledeconomic system. Although the governments of Slovakia and the Czech Republichad envisaged retaining the koruna as a common currency at least in theshort run, the two countries ended the currency union in February 1993.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $32.1 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:-7% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$6,100 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8.7% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:11.3% (1992 est.)Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, and metals;agricultural productspartners:Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy,France, US, UKImports:$3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:machinery and transport equipment; fuels and lubricants; manufactured goods;raw materials; chemicals; agricultural productspartners:Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland,Hungary, UK, ItalyExternal debt:$1.9 billion hard currency indebtedness (December 1992)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:6,800,000 kW capacity; 24,000 million kWh produced, 4,550 kWh per capita(1992)
*Slovakia, Economy
Industries:brown coal mining, chemicals, metal-working, consumer appliances,fertilizer, plastics, armamentsAgriculture:largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestockproduction, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit, hogs,cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest productsIllicit drugs:the former Czechoslavakia was a transshipment point for Southwest Asianheroin and was emerging as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine(1992)Economic aid:the former Czechoslovakia was a donor - $4.2 billion in bilateral aid tonon-Communist less developed countries (1954-89)Currency:1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleruExchange rates:koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 28.59 (December 1992), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991),17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989), 14.36 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Slovakia, Communications
Railroads: 3,669 km total (1990)Highways:17,650 km total (1990)Inland waterways:NA kmPipelines:natural gas 2,700 km; petroleum products NA kmPorts:maritime outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia (Rijeka),Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal river ports areKomarno on the Danube and Bratislava on the DanubeMerchant marine:the former Czechoslovakia had 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 290,185GRT/437,291 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 9 bulk; may be shared with the CzechRepublicAirports:total:34usable:34with permanent-surface runways:9with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:5Telecommunications:NA
*Slovakia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad UnitsManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,407,908; fit for military service 1,082,790; reachmilitary age (18) annually 47,973 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:8.2 billion koruny, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defenseexpenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could producemisleading results
*Slovenia, Geography
Location:Southern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and CroatiaMap references:Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:20,296 km2 land area:20,296 km2comparative area:slightly larger than New JerseyLand boundaries:total 999 km, Austria 262 km, Croatia 455 km, Italy 199 km, Hungary 83 kmCoastline:32 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic and over someborder areas; the border issue is currently under negotiation; smallminority in northern Italy seeks the return of parts of southwesternSloveniaClimate:Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hotsummers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the eastTerrain:a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent toItaly, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the eastNatural resources:lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silverLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:20%forest and woodland:45%other:23%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; heavy metals andtoxic chemicals along coastal waters; near Koper, forest damage from airpollutants originating at metallurgical and chemical plants; subject toflooding and earthquakes
*Slovenia, People
Population:1,967,655 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.23% (1993 est.)Birth rate:11.93 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:74 yearsmale:70.08 yearsfemale:78.13 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.68 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Slovene(s)adjective:SlovenianEthnic divisions:Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3%Religions:Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%, other 3%Languages:Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2%Literacy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:786,036by occupation:agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%
*Slovenia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form:Slovenialocal long form:Republika Slovenijelocal short form:SlovenijaDigraph:SIType:emerging democracyCapital:LjubljanaAdministrative divisions:60 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina) Ajdovscina, Brezice, Celje,Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd, Gornja Radgona, Grosuplje, Hrastnik Lasko,Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik, Kocevje, Koper, Kranj,Krsko, Lenart, Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center,Ljubljana-Moste-Polje, Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik, Ljutomer,Logatec, Maribor, Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto,Ormoz Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje Ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne NaKoroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur Pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skofja Loka,Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje Pri Jelsah,Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika, Zagorje Ob Savi, ZalecIndependence:25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)Constitution:adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991Legal system:based on civil law systemNational holiday:Statehood Day, 25 JunePolitical parties and leaders:Slovene Christian Democratics (SKD), Lozje PETERLE, chairman; LiberalDemocratic (LDS), Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Social-Democratic Party ofSlovenia (SDSS), Joze PUCNIK, chairman; Socialist Party of Slovenia (SSS),Viktor ZAKELJ, chairman; Greens of Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT, chairman;National Democratic, Rajko PIRNAT, chairman; Democratic Peoples Party,Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; Reformed Socialists (former Communist Party),Ciril RIBICIC, chairman; United List (former Communists and allies); SloveneNational Party, leader NA; Democratic Party, Igor BAVCAR; Slovene People'sParty (SLS), Ivan OMANnote:parties have changed as of the December 1992 electionsOther political or pressure groups:noneSuffrage:16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universalElections:President:last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Milan KUCANreelected by direct popular voteState Assembly:last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (total 90) LDS 22, SKD 15, United List (formerCommunists and allies) 14, Slovene National Party 12, SN 10, DemocraticParty 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1
*Slovenia, Government
State Council:will become operational after next election in 1996; in the election of 6December 1992 40 members were elected to represent local and socio-economicinterestsExecutive branch:president, prime minister, deputy prime ministers, cabinetLegislative branch: bicameral National Assembly; consists of the State Assembly and the StateCouncil; note - State Council will become operational after next electionJudicial branch:Supreme Court, Constitutional CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992)Member of:CE, CEI, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IOM (observer), UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Ernest PETRICchancery:(temporary) 1300 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone:(202) 828-1650US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador E. Allen WENDTembassy:P.O. Box 254; Cankarjeva 11, 61000 Ljubljanamailing address:APO AE 09862telephone:[38] (61) 301-427/472FAX:[38] (61) 301-401Flag:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with theSlovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a bluebackground at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seasand rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in aninverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flagcentered in the white and blue bands
*Slovenia, Economy
Overview:Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the former Yugoslav republics,with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslav average, indeed notfar below the levels in neighboring Austria and Italy. Because of its strongties to Western Europe and the small scale of damage during its fight forindependence from Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among theformer Yugoslav republics for economic recovery over the next few years. Thedissolution of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-termdislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example, overallindustrial production fell 10% in 1991; particularly hard hit were the ironand steel, machine-building, chemical, and textile industries. Meanwhile,the continued fighting in other former Yugoslavian republics has led tofurther destruction of long-established trade channels and to an influx oftens of thousands of Croatian and Bosnian refugees. The key program forbreaking up and privatizing major industrial firms was established in late1992. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors are Slovenia'scomparatively well-educated work force, its developed infrastructure, andits Western business attitudes, but instability in Croatia is a deterrent.Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy, and a little Westerninvestment would go a long way.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:-10% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$10,700 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.7% (September 1992)Unemployment rate:10% (April 1992)Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$4.12 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 38%, other manufactured goods 44%,chemicals 9%, food and live animals 4.6%, raw materials 3%, beverages andtobacco less than 1%partners:principally the other former Yugoslav republics, Austria, and ItalyImports:$4.679 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactured goods 26.7%,chemicals 14.5%, raw materials 9.4%, fuels and lubricants 7%, food and liveanimals 6%partners:principally the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, successor statesof the former USSR, US, Hungary, Italy, and AustriaExternal debt:$2.5 billionIndustrial production:growth rate -1% per month (1991-92 est.)Electricity:2,900,000 kW capacity; 10,000 million kWh produced, 5,090 kWh per capita(1992)
*Slovenia, Economy
Industries:ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolledproducts, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including militaryelectronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles,chemicals, machine toolsAgriculture:dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming; main crops- potatoes, hops, hemp, flax; an export surplus in these commodities;Slovenia must import many other agricultural products and has a negativeoverall trade balance in this sectorIllicit drugs:NAEconomic aid:NACurrency:1 tolar (SIT) = 100 NAExchange rates:tolars (SIT) per US$1 - 112 (June 1993), 28 (January 1992)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Slovenia, Communications
Railroads:1,200 km, 1.435 m gauge (1991)Highways:14,553 km total; 10,525 km paved, 4,028 km gravelInland waterways:NAPipelines:crude oil 290 km, natural gas 305 kmPorts:coastal - KoperMerchant marine:22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,784 GRT/596,740 DWT; includes 15bulk, 7 cargo; all under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines exceptfor 1 bulk under Liberian flagAirports:total:13useable:13with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:4Telecommunications:130,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 7 TV; 370,000 radios;330,000 TVs
*Slovenia, Defense Forces
Branches:Slovene Defense ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 512,186; fit for military service 410,594; reach militaryage (19) annually 14,970 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:13.5 billion tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1993); note - conversion of the militarybudget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could producemisleading results
*Solomon Islands, Geography
Location:Oceania, just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific OceanMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:28,450 km2land area:27,540 km2comparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:5,313 kmMaritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weatherTerrain:mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atollsNatural resources:fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphatesLand use:arable land:1%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:1%forest and woodland:93%other:4%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:subject to typhoons, which are rarely destructive; geologically activeregion with frequent earth tremorsNote:located just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean
*Solomon Islands, People
Population:372,746 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.46% (1993 est.)Birth rate:39.37 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:4.76 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:29 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:70.13 yearsmale:67.73 yearsfemale:72.65 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:5.88 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Solomon Islander(s)adjective:Solomon IslanderEthnic divisions:Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese0.3%, other 0.4%Religions:Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other Protestant 5%Languages:Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca, English spoken by1-2% of populationnote:120 indigenous languagesLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:23,448 economically activeby occupation:agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%, services 25%, construction,manufacturing, and mining 7.0%, commerce, transport, and finance 4.7% (1984)
*Solomon Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Solomon Islandsformer:British Solomon IslandsDigraph:BPType:parliamentary democracyCapital:HoniaraAdministrative divisions:7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira,, Malaita, Temotu,WesternIndependence:7 July 1978 (from UK)Constitution:7 July 1978Legal system:common lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 7 July (1978)Political parties and leaders:People's Alliance Party (PAP); United Party (UP), leader NA; Solomon IslandsLiberal Party (SILP), Bartholemew ULUFA'ALU; Nationalist Front for Progress(NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKUSuffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:National Parliament:last held 22 February 1989 (next to be held 26 May 1993); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (38 total) PAP 13, UP 6, NFP 4, SILP 4, LP 2,independents 9Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National ParliamentJudicial branch:High CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor GeneralSir George LEPPING (since 27 June 1989, previously acted as governor generalsince 7 July 1988)Head of Government:Prime Minister Solomon MAMALONI (since 28 March 1989); Deputy Prime MinisterSir Baddeley DEVESI (since NA October 1990)Member of:ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,IOC, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US: chief of mission:(vacant); ambassador traditionally resides in Honiara (Solomon Islands)US diplomatic representation:Ambassador Robert W. FARRANDembassy:Mud Alley, Honiara
*Solomon Islands, Government
mailing address:American Embassy, P. O. Box 561, Honiaratelephone:(677) 23890FAX:(677) 23488Flag:divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner;the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed starsarranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
*Solomon Islands, Economy
Overview:About 90% of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, andforestry for at least part of their livelihood. Agriculture, fishing, andforestry contribute about 70% to GDP, with the fishing and forestry sectorsbeing important export earners. The service sector contributes about 25% toGDP. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. Theislands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc,nickel, and gold. The economy suffered from a severe cyclone in mid-1986that caused widespread damage to the infrastructure.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $200 million (1990 est.)National product real growth rate:6% (1990 est.)National product per capita:$600 (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):14.3% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $48 million; expenditures $107 million, including capitalexpenditures of $45 million (1991 est.)Exports:$74.2 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:fish 46%, timber 31%, copra 5%, palm oil 5%partners:Japan 51%, UK 12%, Thailand 9%, Netherlands 8%, Australia 2%, US 2% (1985)Imports:$87.1 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:plant and machinery 30%, fuel 19%, food 16%partners:Japan 36%, US 23%, Singapore 9%, UK 9%, NZ 9%, Australia 4%, Hong Kong 4%,China 3% (1985)External debt:$128 million (1988 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 0% (1987); accounts for 5% of GDPElectricity:21,000 kW capacity; 39 million kWh produced, 115 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:copra, fish (tuna)Agriculture:including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 70% of GDP; mostlysubsistence farming; cash crops - cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels,timber; other products - rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs;not self-sufficient in food grains; 90% of the total fish catch of 44,500metric tons was exported (1988)Economic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89),$250 millionCurrency:1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 3.1211 (January 1993), 2.9281(1992), 2.7148 (1991), 2.5288 (1990), 2.2932 (1989), 2.0825 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Solomon Islands, Communications
Highways:about 2,100 km total (1982); 30 km paved, 290 km gravel, 980 km earth, 800private logging and plantation roads of varied constructionPorts:Honiara, Ringi CoveAirports:total:30usable:29with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific OceanINTELSAT earth station
*Solomon Islands, Defense Forces
Branches:Police ForceManpower availability:NADefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Somalia, Geography
Location:Eastern Africa, bordering the northwestern Indian Ocean, south of theArabian PeninsulaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:637,660 km2land area:627,340 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than TexasLand boundaries:total 2,366 km, Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 kmCoastline:3,025 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:200 nmInternational disputes:southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional AdministrativeLine; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden; possible claims toDjibouti and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya based on unification of ethnicSomalisClimate:desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), cooler southwest monsoon(May to October); irregular rainfall; hot, humid periods (tangambili)between monsoonsTerrain:mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in northNatural resources:uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite,copper, saltLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:46%forest and woodland: 14%other:38%Irrigated land:1,600 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer;deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationNote:strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab elMandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
*Somalia, People
Population:6,514,629 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.35% (1993 est.)Birth rate:41.95 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:28.41 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:162.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:32.91 yearsmale:32.86 yearsfemale:32.95 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.4 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Somali(s)adjective:SomaliEthnic divisions:Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000, Europeans 3,000, Asians 800Religions:Sunni MuslimLanguages:Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:24%male:36%female:14%Labor force:2.2 million (very few are skilled laborers)by occupation:pastoral nomad 70%, agriculture, government, trading, fishing, handicrafts,and other 30%note:53% of population of working age (1985)
*Somalia, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Somaliaformer:Somali RepublicDigraph:SOType:noneCapital:MogadishuAdministrative divisions:18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari,Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal,Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, WoqooyiGalbeedIndependence:1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independentfrom the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which becameindependent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, toform the Somali Republic)Constitution:25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979Legal system:NANational holiday:NAPolitical parties and leaders:the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the former regime on 27 January1991; formerly the only party was the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party(SRSP), headed by former President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj.Gen. Mohamed SIAD BarreOther political or pressure groups:numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for powerSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 23 December 1986 (next to be held NA); results - President SIADwas reelected without oppositionPeople's Assembly:last held 31 December 1984 (next to be held NA); results - SRSP was the onlyparty; seats - (177 total, 171 elected) SRSP 171; note - the United SomaliCongress (USC) ousted the regime of Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27January 1991; the provisional government has promised that a democraticallyelected government will be establishedExecutive branch:president, two vice presidents, prime minister, Council of Ministers(cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral People's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga); non-functioningJudicial branch:Supreme Court (non-functioning)Leaders:Chief of State:Interim President ALI MAHDI Mohamed (since 27 January 1991)
*Somalia, Government
Head of Government:Prime Minister OMAR Arteh Ghalib (since 27 January 1991)Member of:ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant)chancery:Suite 710, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037telephone:(202) 342-1575consulate general:New Yorknote:Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991US diplomatic representation:the US Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated and closed indefinitely in January1991; United States Liaison Office (USLO) opened in December 1992Flag:light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design basedon the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory)
*Somalia, Economy
Overview:One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has fewresources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by the civilwar. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting forabout 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and seminomads whoare dependent upon livestock for their livelihoods make up more than half ofthe population. Crop production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about20% of the work force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, andcorn are grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is basedon the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10% ofGDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-92 has resulted in asubstantial drop in output, with widespread famine.National product:$NANational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$NAInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$NAcommodities:bananas, livestock, fish, hides, skinspartners:Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986)Imports:$NAcommodities:petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materialspartners:US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986)External debt:$1.9 billion (1989)Industrial production:growth rate NA%, accounts for NA% of GDPElectricity:former public power capacity of 75,000 kW is completely shut down by thedestruction of the civil war; UN, relief organizations, and foreign militaryunits in Somalia use their own portable power systemsIndustries:a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleumrefining; probably shut down by the widespread destruction during the civilwarAgriculture:dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats); crops -bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food;distribution of food disrupted by civil strife; fishing potential largelyunexploitedEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $639 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.8 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $1.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $336million
*Somalia, Economy
Currency:1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 centesimiExchange rates:Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 - 4,200 (December 1992), 3,800.00(December 1990), 490.7 (1989), 170.45 (1988), 105.18 (1987), 72.00 (1986)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Somalia, Communications
Highways:22,500 km total; including 2,700 km paved, 3,000 km gravel, and 16,800 kmimproved earth or stabilized soil (1992)Pipelines:crude oil 15 kmPorts:Mogadishu, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Bender Cassim (Boosaaso)Merchant marine:3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,913 GRT/8,718 DWT; includes 2 cargo,1 refrigerated cargoAirports:total:69usable:48with permanent-surface runways:8with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:6with runways 1,220-2,439 m:20Telecommunications:the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantledby the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their ownprivate systems (1993)
*Somalia, Defense Forces
Branches:NAManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,596,380; fit for military service 897,660 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*South Africa, Geography
Location:Southern Africa, at the extreme southern tip of the continentMap references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1,221,040 km2land area:1,221,040 km2comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of Texasnote:includes Walvis Bay, Marion Island, and Prince Edward IslandLand boundaries:total 4,973 km, Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km,Namibia 1,078 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 kmCoastline:2,881 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:claim by Namibia to Walvis Bay exclave and 12 offshore islands administeredby South Africa; South Africa and Namibia have agreed to jointly administerthe area for an interim period; the terms and dates to be covered by jointadministration arrangements have not been established at this time; andNamibia will continue to maintain a claim to sovereignty over the entireareaClimate:mostly semiarid; subtropical along coast; sunny days, cool nightsTerrain:vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plainNatural resources:gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates,tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gasLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:65%forest and woodland:3%other:21%Irrigated land:11,280 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive waterconservation and control measuresNote:Walvis Bay is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia; South Africa completelysurrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland
*South Africa, People
Population:42,792,804 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.63% (1993 est.)Birth rate:33.77 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.65 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:48.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:64.81 yearsmale:62.07 yearsfemale:67.63 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:4.4 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:South African(s)adjective:South AfricanEthnic divisions:black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6%Religions:Christian (most whites and Coloreds and about 60% of blacks), Hindu (60% ofIndians), Muslim 20%Languages:Afrikaans (official), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa, North Sotho, SouthSotho, Tswana, and many other vernacular languagesLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:76%male:78%female:75%Labor force:13.4 million economically active (1990)by occupation:services 55%, agriculture 10%, industry 20%, mining 9%, other 6%
*South Africa, Government
Names: conventional long form:Republic of South Africaconventional short form:South AfricaAbbreviation:RSADigraph:SFType:republicCapital:Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative); Bloemfontein (judicial)Administrative divisions:4 provinces; Cape, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal; there are 10homelands not recognized by the US - 4 independent (Bophuthatswana, Ciskei,Transkei, Venda) and 6 other (Gazankulu, Kangwane, KwaNdebele, KwaZulu,Lebowa, QwaQwa)Independence:31 May 1910 (from UK)Constitution:3 September 1984Legal system:based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Republic Day, 31 May (1910)Political parties and leaders:white political parties and leaders:National Party (NP), Frederik W. DE KLERK (majority party); ConservativeParty (CP), leader NA (official opposition party); Democratic Party (DP),Zach DE BEER; Afrikaner Volksunie (AVU), Andries BEYERSColored political parties and leaders (see Note):Labor Party (LP), Allan HENDRICKSE (majority party); National Party (NP);Democratic Party (DP); Freedom PartyIndian political parties and leaders:Solidarity, J. N. REDDY (majority party); National People's Party (NPP),Amichand RAJBANSI; Merit People's Partynote:the Democratic Reform Party (DRP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) weredisbanded in May 1991Other political or pressure groups:African National Congress (ANC), Nelson MANDELA, president; Inkatha FreedomParty (IFP), Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president; Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC),Clarence MAKWETU, presidentSuffrage:18 years of age; universal, but voting rights are racially basedElections:House of Assembly (whites):last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held by NA March 1995); results - NP58%, CP 23%, DP 19%; seats - (178 total, 166 elected) NP 103, CP 41, DP 34;note - by February 1992, because of byelections, splits, and defections,changes in number of seats held by parties were as follows: NP 102, CP 36,DP 28, AVU 5, independent 7
*South Africa, Government
House of Representatives (Coloreds):last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held no later than March 1995);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total, 80 elected) LP 69,DRP 5, UDP 3, Freedom Party 1, independents 2; note - by October 1992 manyrepresentatives had changed their allegiance causing the following changesin seating: NP 44, LP 27, DP 6, Freedom Party 1, independents 6, vacant 1House of Delegates (Indians):last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held no later than March 1995);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total, 40 elected)Solidarity 16, NPP 9, Merit People's Party 3, independents 6, other 6; note- due to delegates changing party affiliation, seating as of October 1992is as follows: Solidarity 25, NPP 7, Merit People's Party 2, other 8,independents 3note:tentative agreement to hold national election open to all races for a400-seat constitutient assembly on 27 April 1994Executive branch:state president, Executive Council (cabinet), Ministers' Councils (from thethree houses of Parliament)Legislative branch:tricameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of the House of Assembly(Volksraad; whites), House of Representatives (Raad van Verteenwoordigers;Coloreds), and House of Delegates (Raad van Afgevaardigdes; Indians)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:State President Frederik Willem DE KLERK (since 13 September 1989)Member of:BIS, CCC, ECA, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO (suspended), ICC, IDA, IFC, IMF,INTELSAT, ISO, ITU (suspended), LORCS, SACU, UN, UNCTAD, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO (suspended)Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Harry SCHWARZchancery:3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 232-4400consulates general:Beverly Hills (California), Chicago, Houston, and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Princeton N. LYMANembassy:Thibault House, 225 Pretorius Street, Pretoriatelephone:[27] (12) 28-4266FAX:[27] (12) 21-9278consulates general:Cape Town, Durban, JohannesburgFlag:actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the centerof the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has threeequal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flagsare a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontalflag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the oldTransvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
*South Africa, Economy
Overview:Many of the white one-seventh of the South African population enjoy incomes,material comforts, and health and educational standards equal to those ofWestern Europe. In contrast, most of the remaining population suffers fromthe poverty patterns of the Third World, including unemployment and lack ofjob skills. The main strength of the economy lies in its rich mineralresources, which provide two-thirds of exports. Economic developments in the1990s will be driven partly by the changing relations among the variousethnic groups. The shrinking economy in recent years has absorbed less than10% of the more than 300,000 workers entering the labor force annually.Local economists estimate that the economy must grow between 5% and 6% inreal terms annually to absorb all of the new entrants.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $115 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:-2% (1992)National product per capita:$2,800 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):13.9% (1992)Unemployment rate:45% (well over 50% in some homeland areas) (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $28 billion; expenditures $36 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $3 billion (FY93 est.)Exports:$23.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:gold 27%, other minerals and metals 20-25%, food 5%, chemicals 3%partners:Italy, Japan, US, Germany, UK, other EC countries, Hong KongImports:$18.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:machinery 32%, transport equipment 15%, chemicals 11%, oil, textiles,scientific instrumentspartners:Germany, Japan, UK, US, ItalyExternal debt:$18 billion (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA%; accounts for about 40% of GDPElectricity:46,000,000 kW capacity; 180,000 million kWh produced, 4,100 kWh per capita(1991)Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobileassembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemical,fertilizer, foodstuffsAgriculture:accounts for about 5% of GDP and 30% of labor force; diversifiedagriculture, with emphasis on livestock; products - cattle, poultry, sheep,wool, milk, beef, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables;self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:NACurrency:1 rand (R) = 100 cents