*Congo, People
Population:2,388,667 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.44% (1993 est.)Birth rate:40.68 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:16.28 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:112.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:48.04 yearsmale:46.3 yearsfemale:49.84 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:5.38 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Congolese (singular and plural)adjective:Congolese or CongoEthnic divisions:south:Kongo 48%north:Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%center:Teke 17%, Europeans 8,500 (mostly French)Religions:Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%Languages:French (official), African languages (Lingala and Kikongo are the mostwidely used)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:57%male:70%female:44%Labor force:79,100 wage earnersby occupation:agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government 25%note:51% of population of working age; 40% of population economically active(1985)
*Congo, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of the Congoconventional short form:Congolocal long form:Republique Populaire du Congolocal short form:Congoformer:Congo/BrazzavilleDigraph:CFType:republicCapital:BrazzavilleAdministrative divisions:9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza,, Brazzaville*, Cuvette,Kouilou,, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool,SanghaIndependence:15 August 1960 (from France)Constitution:8 July 1979, currently being modifiedLegal system:based on French civil law system and customary lawNational holiday:Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)Political parties and leaders:Congolese Labor Party (PCT), headed by former president DenisSASSOU-NGUESSO; Union for Democratic Renewal (URD) - a coalition ofopposition parties; Panafrican Union for Social Development (UPADS)Other political or pressure groups:Union of Congolese Socialist Youth (UJSC); Congolese Trade Union Congress(CSC); Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women (URFC); General Union ofCongolese Pupils and Students (UGEEC)Suffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 2-16 August 1992 (next to be held August 1997); results -President Pascal LISSOUBA won with 61% of the voteNational Assembly:last held 24 June-19 July 1992; results - (125 total) UPADS 39, MCDDI (partof URD coalition) 29, PCT 19; more than a dozen smaller parties split theremaining 38 seatsnote:National Assembly dissolved in November 1992; next election to be held May1993Executive branch:president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) was dissolved on NANovember 1992Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
*Congo, Government
Leaders:Chief of State:President Pascal LISSOUBA (since August 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Claude Antoine DA COSTA (since December 1992)Member of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM,OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Roger ISSOMBOchancery:4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone:(202) 726-5500US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador James Daniel PHILLIPSembassy:Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzavillemailing address:B. P. 1015, Brazzaville, or Box C, APO AE 09828telephone:(242) 83-20-70FAX:[242] 83-63-38Flag:red, divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; theupper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses thepopular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
*Congo, Economy
Overview:Congo's economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, abeginning industrial sector based largely on oil, supporting services, and agovernment characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. A reformprogram, supported by the IMF and World Bank, ran into difficulties in1990-91 because of problems in changing to a democratic political regime anda heavy debt-servicing burden. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstayof the economy, providing about two-thirds of government revenues andexports. In the early 1980s rapidly rising oil revenues enabled Congo tofinance large-scale development projects with growth averaging 5% annually,one of the highest rates in Africa. During the period 1987-91, however,growth has slowed to an average of roughly 1.5% annually, only half thepopulation growth rate. The new government, responding to pressure frombusinessmen and the electorate, has promised to reduce the bureaucracy andgovernment regulation but little has been accomplished as of early 1993.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:0.6% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$1,070 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.6% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $765 million; expenditures $952 million, including capitalexpenditures of $65 million (1990)Exports:$1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:crude oil 72%, lumber, plywood, coffee, cocoa, sugar, diamondspartners:US, France, other EC countriesImports:$704 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:foodstuffs, consumer goods, intermediate manufactures, capital equipmentpartners:France, Italy, other EC countries, US, Germany, Spain, Japan, BrazilExternal debt:$4.1 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 1.2% (1989); accounts for 33% of GDP; includes petroleumElectricity:140,000 kW capacity; 315 million kWh produced, 135 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:petroleum, cement, lumbering, brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap,cigaretteAgriculture:accounts for 13% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cassava accountsfor 90% of food output; other crops - rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables; cashcrops include coffee and cocoa; forest products important export earner;imports over 90% of food needsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $63 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $2.5 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $15 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $338million
*Congo, Economy
Currency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85(1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Congo, Communications
Railroads:797 km, 1.067-meter gauge, single track (includes 285 km that are privatelyowned)Highways:11,960 km total; 560 km paved; 850 km gravel and laterite; 5,350 km improvedearth; 5,200 km unimproved earthInland waterways:the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km of commerciallynavigable water transport; the rest are used for local traffic onlyPipelines:crude oil 25 kmPorts:Pointe-Noire (ocean port), Brazzaville (river port)Airports:total:44usable:41with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:16Telecommunications:services adequate for government use; primary network is composed of radiorelay routes and coaxial cables; key centers are Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire,and Loubomo; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 4 TV; 1Atlantic Ocean satellite earth station
*Congo, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 534,802; fit for military service 272,051; reach militaryage (20) annually 24,190 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Cook Islands, Header
Affiliation: (free association with New Zealand)
*Cook Islands, Geography
Location:Oceania, 4,500 km south of Hawaii in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfwaybetween Hawaii and New ZealandMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:240 km2land area:240 km2comparative area:slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:120 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; moderated by trade windsTerrain:low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in southNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:22%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland: 0%other:74%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:subject to typhoons from November to March
*Cook Islands, People
Population:18,903 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.18% (1993 est.)Birth rate:23.4 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-6.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:71.14 yearsmale:69.2 yearsfemale:73.1 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:3.32 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Cook Islander(s)adjective:Cook IslanderEthnic divisions:Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian andother 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%Religions:Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands Christian Church)Languages:English (official), MaoriLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:5,810by occupation:agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
*Cook Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Cook IslandsDigraph:CWType:self-governing parliamentary government in free association with NewZealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealandretains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the CookIslandsCapital:AvaruaAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence byunilateral action)Constitution:4 August 1965Legal system:NANational holiday:Constitution Day, 4 AugustPolitical parties and leaders:Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY; Democratic Tumu Party, Vincent INGRAM;Democratic Party, Terepai MAOATE; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena JONASSEN;Cook Islands People's Party, Sadaraka SADARAKASuffrage:universal adult at age NAElections:Parliament:last held 19 January 1989 (next to be held by January 1994); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (24 total) Cook Islands Party 12,Democratic Tumu Party 2, opposition coalition (including Democratic Party)9, independent 1Executive branch:British monarch, representative of the UK, representative of New Zealand,prime minister, deputy prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Parliament; note - the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises ontraditional matters, but has no legislative powersJudicial branch:High CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Representative of the UK SirTangaroa TANGAROA (since NA); Representative of New Zealand Adrian SINCOCK(since NA) Head of Government:Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime MinisterInatio AKARURU (since NA February 1989)Member of:AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, IOC, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHODiplomatic representation in US:none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
*Cook Islands, Government
US diplomatic representation:none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)Flag:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a largecircle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in theouter half of the flag
*Cook Islands, Economy
Overview:Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit,copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to afruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic developmentis hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lackof natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit isannually made up for by remittances from emigrants and from foreign aid.Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potentialand expanding the fishing industry.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $40 million (1988 est.)National product real growth rate:5.3% (1986-88 est.)National product per capita:$2,200 (1988 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8% (1988)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $34.4 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1990 est.)Exports:$4.0 million (f.o.b., 1988)commodities:copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothingpartners:NZ 80%, JapanImports:$38.7 million (c.i.f., 1988)commodities:foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timberpartners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, USExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:14,000 kW capacity; 21 million kWh produced, 1,170 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:fruit processing, tourismAgriculture:export crops - copra, citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas;subsistence crops - yams, taroEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$128 millionCurrency:1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 centsExchange rates:New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9490 (January 1993), 1.8584 (1992),1.7266 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
*Cook Islands, Communications
Highways:187 km total (1980); 35 km paved, 35 km gravel, 84 km improved earth, 33 kmunimproved earthPorts:AvatiuMerchant marine:1 cargo ship (1,000 or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWTAirports:total:7usable:7with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:5Telecommunications:broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 11,000 radio receivers; 17,000 TVreceivers (1989); 2,052 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Cook Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
*Coral Sea Islands, Header
Affiliation: (territory of Australia)
*Coral Sea Islands, Geography
Location:Oceania, just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral SeaMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:less than 3 km2land area:less than 3 km2comparative area:NAnote:includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most importantLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:3,095 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:3 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropicalTerrain:sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)Natural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)Irrigated land: 0 km2Environment:subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; importantnesting area for birds and turtles
*Coral Sea Islands, People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 3 meteorologists
*Coral Sea Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Coral Sea Islands Territoryconventional short form:Coral Sea IslandsDigraph:CRType:territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Arts, Sport, theEnvironment, Tourism, and TerritoriesCapital:none; administered from Canberra, AustraliaIndependence:none (territory of Australia)Flag:the flag of Australia is used
*Coral Sea Islands, Economy
Overview: no economic activity
*Coral Sea Islands, Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorages only
*Coral Sea Islands, Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the RoyalAustralian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors
*Costa Rica, Geography
Location:Central America, between Nicaragua and PanamaMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, South AmericaArea:total area:51,100 km2land area:50,660 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than West Virginianote:includes Isla del CocoLand boundaries:total 639 km, Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 kmCoastline:1,290 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 nmexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November)Terrain:coastal plains separated by rugged mountainsNatural resources:hydropower potentialLand use:arable land:6%permanent crops:7%meadows and pastures:45%forest and woodland:34%other:8%Irrigated land:1,180 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:subject to occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequentflooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season; active volcanoes;deforestation; soil erosion
*Costa Rica, People
Population:3,264,776 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.38% (1993 est.)Birth rate:26.07 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:3.57 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:1.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:77.49 yearsmale:75.56 yearsfemale:79.52 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:3.11 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Costa Rican(s)adjective:Costa RicanEthnic divisions:white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian 1%, Chinese 1%Religions:Roman Catholic 95%Languages:Spanish (official), English; spoken around Puerto LimonLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:93%male:93%female:93%Labor force:868,300by occupation:industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services 33%, agriculture 27%,other 4.9% (1985 est.)
*Costa Rica, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Costa Ricaconventional short form:Costa Rica local long form:Republica de Costa Ricalocal short form:Costa RicaDigraph:CSType:democratic republicCapital:San JoseAdministrative divisions:7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago,Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San JoseIndependence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)Constitution:9 November 1949Legal system:based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts inthe Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)Political parties and leaders:National Liberation Party (PLN), Carlos Manuel CASTILLO Morales; SocialChristian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier; MarxistPopular Vanguard Party (PVP), Humberto VARGAS Carbonell; New RepublicMovement (MNR), Sergio Erick ARDON Ramirez; Progressive Party (PP), IsaacFelipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC), Lenin CHACONVargas; Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose ECHEVERRIA BrealeyOther political or pressure groups:Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers (CCTD; Liberation Partyaffiliate); Confederated Union of Workers (CUT; Communist Party affiliate);Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD; Communist Partyaffiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; National Association for EconomicDevelopment (ANFE); Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL; rightwing militants);National Association of Educators (ANDE)Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsoryElections:Legislative Assembly:last held 4 February 1990 (next to be held February 1994); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (57 total) PUSC 29, PLN 25, PVP/PPC 1, regionalparties 2President:last held 4 February 1990 (next to be held February 1994); results - RafaelAngel CALDERON Fournier 51%, Carlos Manuel CASTILLO 47%Executive branch:president, two vice presidents, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
*Costa Rica, Government
Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier (since 8 May 1990); First VicePresident German SERRANO Pinto (since 8 May 1990); Second Vice PresidentArnoldo LOPEZ Echandi (since 8 May 1990)Member of:AG (observer), BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU,LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Gonzalo FACIO Segredachancery:Suite 211, 1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 234-2945 through 2947consulates general:Albuquerque, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Diego,San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)consulate:BuffaloUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Luis GUINOT, Jr.embassy:Pavas Road, San Josemailing address:APO AA 34020telephone:[506] 20-39-39FAX:(506) 20-2305Flag:five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, andblue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the redband
*Costa Rica, Economy
Overview:In 1992 the economy grew at an estimated 5.4%, up from the 2.5% gain of 1991and the gain of 1990. Increases in agricultural production (on the strengthof good coffee and banana crops) and in nontraditional exports areresponsible for much of the growth. In 1992 consumer prices rose by 17%,below the 27% of 1991. The trade deficit of $100 million was substantiallybelow the 1991 deficit of $270 million. Unemployment is officially reportedat 4.0%, but much underemployment remains. External debt, on a per capitabasis, is among the world's highest.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $6.4 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:5.4% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$2,000 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):17% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:4% (1992)Budget:revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.34 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $110 million (1991 est.)Exports:$1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:coffee, bananas, textiles, sugarpartners:US 75%, Germany, Guatemala, Netherlands, UK, JapanImports:$1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleumpartners:US 45%, Japan, Guatemala, GermanyExternal debt:$3.2 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 1.0% (1991); accounts for 19% of GDPElectricity:927,000 kW capacity; 3,612 million kWh produced, 1,130 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer,plastic productsAgriculture:accounts for 17% of GDP and 70% of exports; cash commodities - coffee, beef,bananas, sugar; other food crops include corn, rice, beans, potatoes;normally self-sufficient in food except for grain; depletion of forestresources resulting in lower timber outputIllicit drugs:illicit production of cannabis on small scattered plots; transshipmentcountry for cocaine from South AmericaEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $935 million;Communist countries (1971-89), $27 millionCurrency:1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos
*Costa Rica, Economy
Exchange rates:Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 137.72 (January 1993), 134.51 (1992),122.43 (1991), 91.58 (1990), 81.504 (1989), 75.805 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Costa Rica, Communications
Railroads:950 km total, all 1.067-meter gauge; 260 km electrifiedHighways:15,400 km total; 7,030 km paved, 7,010 km gravel, 1,360 km unimproved earthInland waterways:about 730 km, seasonally navigablePipelines:petroleum products 176 kmPorts:Puerto Limon, Caldera, Golfito, Moin, PuntarenasMerchant marine:1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,878 GRT/4,506 DWTAirports:total:162usable:144with permanent-surface runways:28with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:8Telecommunications:very good domestic telephone service; 292,000 telephones; connection intoCentral American Microwave System; broadcast stations - 71 AM, no FM, 18 TV,13 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Costa Rica, Defense Forces
Branches:Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guardnote:constitution prohibits armed forcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 851,713; fit for military service 573,854; reach militaryage (18) annually 31,987 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $22 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989)
*Cote d'Ivoire, Header
Affiliation: (also known as Ivory Coast)
*Cote d'Ivoire, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Ghana and LiberiaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:322,460 km2land area:318,000 km2comparative area:slightly larger than New MexicoLand boundaries:total 3,110 km, Burkina 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km,Mali 532 kmCoastline:515 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depthexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry(November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June toOctober)Terrain:mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwestNatural resources:petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copperLand use:arable land:9%permanent crops:4%meadows and pastures:9%forest and woodland:26%other:52%Irrigated land:620 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; severe deforestation
*Cote d'Ivoire, People
Population: 13,808,447 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.5% (1993 est.)Birth rate:46.88 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:15.07 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:97 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:48.97 yearsmale:46.98 yearsfemale:51.03 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.73 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Ivorian(s)adjective:IvorianEthnic divisions:Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, Agni, foreign Africans(mostly Burkinabe about 2 million), non-Africans 130,000 to 330,000 (French30,000 and Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000)Religions:indigenous 63%, Muslim 25%, Christian 12%Languages:French (official), 60 native dialects Dioula is the most widely spokenLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:54%male:67%female:40%Labor force:5.718 millionby occupation:over 85% of population engaged in agriculture, forestry, livestock raising;about 11% of labor force are wage earners, nearly half in agriculture andthe remainder in government, industry, commerce, and professionsnote:54% of population of working age (1985)
*Cote d'Ivoire, Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoireconventional short form:Cote d'Ivoirelocal long form:Republique de Cote d'Ivoirelocal short form:Cote d'Ivoireformer:Ivory CoastDigraph:IVType:republic multiparty presidential regime established 1960Capital:Yamoussoukronote:although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Adibjan remains theadministrative center; foreign governments, including the United States,maintain presence in AbidjanAdministrative divisions:49 departments (departements, singular - (departement); Abengourou, Abidjan,Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou,Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane,Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne,Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda,Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, ZuenoulaIndependence:7 August 1960 (from France)Constitution:3 November 1960Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in theConstitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 7 DecemberPolitical parties and leaders:Democratic Party of the Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), Dr. Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY;Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; Ivorian Worker's Party (PIT),Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI), Morifere BAMBA; over 20smaller partiesSuffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held October 1995); results -President Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY received 81% of the vote in his firstcontested election; he is currently serving his seventh consecutivefive-year termNational Assembly:last held 25 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 163, FPI 9, PIT 1,independents 2Executive branch:president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
*Cote d'Ivoire, Government
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Leaders:Chief of State:President Dr. Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY (since 27 November 1960)Head of Government:Prime Minister Alassane OUATTARA (since 7 November 1990)Member of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Charles GOMISchancery:2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 797-0300US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Hume A. HORANembassy:5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjanmailing address:01 B. P. 1712, Abidjantelephone:[225] 21-09-79 or 21-46-72FAX:[225] 22-32-59Flag:three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similarto the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which isgreen (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
*Cote d'Ivoire, Economy
Overview:Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters ofcoffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil. Consequently, the economy ishighly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for coffee andcocoa and to weather conditions. Despite attempts by the government todiversify, the economy is still largely dependent on agriculture and relatedindustries. The agricultural sector accounts for over one-third of GDP andabout 80% of export earnings and employs about 85% of the labor force. Acollapse of world cocoa and coffee prices in 1986 threw the economy into arecession, from which the country had not recovered by 1990. Continuing lowprices for commodity exports, an overvalued exchange rate, a bloatedpublic-sector wage bill, and a large foreign debt hindered economic recoveryin 1991. The government, which has sponsored various economic reformprograms, especially in agriculture, projected an increase of 1.6% in GNP in1992.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $10 billion (1991)National product real growth rate:-0.6% (1991)National product per capita:$800 (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:14% (1985)Budget:revenues $2.3 billion; expenditures $3.6 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $274 million (1990 est.)Exports:$2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:cocoa 30%, coffee 20%, tropical woods 11%, petroleum, cotton, bananas,pineapples, palm oil, cottonpartners:France, FRG, Netherlands, US, Belgium, Spain (1985)Imports:$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:food, capital goods, consumer goods, fuelpartners:France 29%, other EC 29%, Nigeria 16%, US 4%, Japan 3% (1989)External debt:$15 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 6% (1990); accounts for 11% of GDPElectricity:1,210,000 kW capacity; 1,970 million kWh produced, 150 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:foodstuffs, wood processing, oil refinery, automobile assembly, textiles,fertilizer, beverageAgriculture:most important sector, contributing one-third to GDP and 80% to exports;cash crops include coffee, cocoa beans, timber, bananas, palm kernels,rubber; food crops - corn, rice, manioc, sweet potatoes; not self-sufficientin bread grain and dairy productsIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis; mostly for local consumption; someinternational drug trade; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin toEurope
*Cote d'Ivoire, Economy
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $356 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $5.2 billionCurrency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85(1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Cote d'Ivoire, Communications
Railroads:660 km (Burkina border to Abidjan, 1.00-meter gauge, single track, except 25km Abidjan-Anyama section is double track)Highways:46,600 km total; 3,600 km paved; 32,000 km gravel, crushed stone, laterite,and improved earth; 11,000 km unimprovedInland waterways:980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoonsPorts:Abidjan, San-PedroMerchant marine:7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,945 GRT/ 90,684 DWT; includes 1 oiltanker, 1 chemical tanker, 3 container, 2 roll-on/roll-offAirports:total:42usable:37with permanent-surface runways:7with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:3with runways 1,220-2,439 m:15Telecommunications:well-developed by African standards but operating well below capacity;consists of open-wire lines and radio relay microwave links; 87,700telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 17 FM, 13 TV, 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; 2 coaxial submarine cables
*Cote d'Ivoire, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, MilitaryFire GroupManpower availability:males age 15-49 3,131,016; fit for military service 1,624,401; reachmilitary age (18) annually 145,827 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $200 million, 2.3% of GDP (1988)
*Croatia, Geography
Location:Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering the Adriatic Sea,between Slovenia and Bosnia and HerzegovinaMap references:Africa, Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of theWorldArea:total area:56,538 km2land area:56,410 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than West VirginiaLand boundaries:total 1,843 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina (east) 751 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina(southeast) 91 km, Hungary 292 km, Serbia and Montenegro 254 km (239 km withSerbia; 15 km with Montenego), Slovenia 455 kmCoastline:5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)Maritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:12 nmexclusive fishing zone:12 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:Serbian enclaves in eastern Croatia and along the western Bosnia andHerzegovinian border; dispute with Slovenia over fishing rights in AdriaticClimate:Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hotsummers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coastTerrain:geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountainsand highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline, and islandsNatural resources:oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt,silica, mica, clays, saltLand use:arable land:32%permanent crops:20%meadows and pastures:18%forest and woodland: 15%other:15%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:air pollution from metallurgical plants; damaged forest; coastal pollutionfrom industrial and domestic waste; subject to frequent and destructiveearthquakes
*Croatia, Geography
Note:controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and TurkishStraits
*Croatia, People
Population:4,694,398 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.07% (1993 est.)Birth rate:11.38 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:10.73 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:73.19 yearsmale:69.7 yearsfemale:76.89 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.66 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Croat(s)adjective:CroatianEthnic divisions:Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian 0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, others8.1%Religions:Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 1.4%, othersand unknown 9.8%Languages:Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4%Literacy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:1,509,489by occupation:industry and mining 37%, agriculture 16% (1981 est.), government NA%, other
*Croatia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Croatiaconventional short form:Croatialocal long form:Republika Hrvatskalocal short form:HrvatskaDigraph:HRType:parliamentary democracyCapital:ZagrebAdministrative divisions:100 districts (opcine, singular - opcina) Beli Manastir, Biograd (Biograd NaMoru), Bielovar, Bjelovar, Brac, Buje, Buzet, Cabar, Cakovec, Cazma, CresLosinj, Crikvenica, Daruvar, Delnice, Djakovo (Dakovo), Donja Stubica, DonjiLapac, Dordevac, Drnis, Dubrovnik, Duga Resa, Dugo Selo, Dvor, Garesnica,Glina, Gospic, Gracac, Grubisno Polje, Hvar, Imotski, Ivanec, Ivanic-Grad,Jastrebarsko, Karlovac, Klanjec, Knin, Koprivnica, Korcula, Kostajnica,Krapina, Krizevci, Krk, Kutina, Labin, Lastovo, Ludbreg, Makarska, Metkovic,Nova Gradiska, Novi Marof, Novska, Obrovac, Ogulin, Omis, Opatija,Orahovica, Osijek, Otocac, Ozalj, Pag, Pazin, Petrinja, Ploce (Kardeljevo),Podravska Slatina, Porec, Pregrada, Pukrac, Pula, Rab, Rijeka, Rovinj,Samobor (part of Zagreb), Senj, Sesvete, Sibenik, Sinj, Sisak, SlavonskaPozega, Slavonski Brod, Slunj, Split (Solin, Kastela), Titova Korenica,Trogir, Valpovo, Varazdin, Vinkovci, Virovitica, Vukovar, Vis, Vojnic,Vrborsko, Vrbovec, Vrgin-Most, Vrgorac, Zabok, Zadar, Zagreb (Grad Zagreb),Zelina (Sveti Ivan Zelina), Zlatar Bistrica, ZupanjaIndependence:NA June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)Constitution:adopted on 2 December 1991Legal system:based on civil law systemNational holiday:Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Stjepan MESIC, chairman of theexecutivecouncil; Croatian People's Party (HNS), Savka DABCEVIC-KUCAR, president;Croatian Christian Democratic Party (HKDS), Ivan CESAR, president; CroatianParty of Rights, Dobroslav PARAGA; Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS),Drazen BUDISA, president; Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), leader NA; IstrianDemocratic Assembly (IDS), leader NA; Social-Democratic Party (SDP), leaderNA; Croatian National Party (PNS), leader NAOther political or pressure groups:NASuffrage:16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universalElections:President:last held 4 August 1992 (next to be held NA); Franjo TUDJMAN reelected withabout 56% of the vote; Dobroslav PARAGA 5%House of Parishes:last held 7 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1997); seats - (68total; 63 elected, 5 presidentially appointed) HDZ 37, HSLS 16, HSS 5, IDS3, SDP 1, PNS 1
*Croatia, Government
Chamber of Deputies:last held NA August 1992 (next to be held NA August 1996); seats - (138total) 87 HDZExecutive branch:president, prime minister, deputy prime ministers, cabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or House of Parishes(Zupanije Dom) and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies (Predstavnicke Dom)Judicial branch:Supreme Court, Constitutional CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Franjo TUDJMAN (since 30 May 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister Nikica VALENTIC (since NA April 1993); Deputy Prime MinistersMate GRANIC, Vladimir SEKS, Borislav SKEGRO (since NA)Member of:CEI, CSCE, ECE, ICAO, IMO, IOM (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Peter A. SARCEVICchancery:2356 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone:(202) 543-5586US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant)embassy:Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagrebmailing address: AMEMB Unit 25402, APO AE 09213-5080telephone:[38] (41) 444-800FAX:[38] (41) 440-235Flag:red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red andwhite checkered)
*Croatia, Economy
Overview:Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the republic of Croatia, afterSlovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capitaoutput roughly comparable to that of Portugal and perhaps one-third abovethe Yugoslav average. Croatian Serb Nationalists control approximately onethird of the Croatian territory, and one of the overriding determinants ofCroatia's long-term political and economic prospects will be the resolutionof this territorial dispute. Croatia faces monumental problems stemmingfrom: the legacy of longtime Communist mismanagement of the economy; largeforeign debt; damage during the fighting to bridges, factories, powerlines,buildings, and houses; the large refugee population, both Croatian andBosnian; and the disruption of economic ties to Serbia and the other formerYugoslav republics, as well as within its own territory. At the minimum,extensive Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oilindustries, would seem necessary to salvage a desperate economic situation.However, peace and political stability must come first. As of June 1993,fighting continues among Croats, Serbs, and Muslims, and national boundariesand final political arrangements are still in doubt.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $26.3 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:-25% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$5,600 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):50% (monthly rate, December 1992)Unemployment rate:20% (December 1991 est.)Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$2.9 billion (1990)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 30%, other manufacturers 37%, chemicals11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6.5%, fuels and lubricants 5%partners:principally the other former Yugoslav republicsImports:$4.4 billion (1990)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 21%, fuels and lubricants 19%, food andlive animals 16%, chemicals 14%, manufactured goods 13%, miscellaneousmanufactured articles 9%, raw materials 6.5%, beverages and tobacco 1%partners:principally other former Yugoslav republicsExternal debt:$2.6 billion (will assume some part of foreign debt of former Yugoslavia)Industrial production:growth rate -29% (1991 est.)Electricity:3,570,000 kW capacity; 11,500 million kWh produced, 2,400 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pigiron and rolled steel products, aluminum reduction, paper, wood products(including furniture), building materials (including cement), textiles,shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food processing andbeverages
*Croatia, Economy
Agriculture:Croatia normally produces a food surplus; most agricultural land in privatehands and concentrated in Croat-majority districts in Slavonia and Istria;much of Slavonia's land has been put out of production by fighting; wheat,corn, sugar beets, sunflowers, alfalfa, and clover are main crops inSlavonia; central Croatian highlands are less fertile but support cerealproduction, orchards, vineyards, livestock breeding, and dairy farming;coastal areas and offshore islands grow olives, citrus fruits, andvegetablesEconomic aid:$NACurrency:1 Croatian dinar (CD) = 100 parasExchange rates:Croatian dinar per US $1 - 60.00 (April 1992)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Croatia, Communications
Railroads:2,592 km of standard guage (1.435 m) of which 864 km are electrified (1992);note - disrupted by territorial disputeHighways:32,071 km total; 23,305 km paved, 8,439 km gravel, 327 km earth (1990); note- key highways note disrupted because of territorial disputeInland waterways:785 km perennially navigablePipelines:crude oil 670 km, petroleum products 20 km, natural gas 310 km (1992); note- now disrupted because of territorial disputePorts:coastal - Rijeka, Split, Kardeljevo (Ploce); inland - Vukovar, Osijek,Sisak, VinkovciMerchant marine:18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 77,074 GRT/93,052 DWT; includes 4cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 10 passenger ferries, 2 bulk, 1 oil tanker; note- also controlled by Croatian shipowners are 198 ships (1,000 GRT or over)under flags of convenience - primarily Malta and St. Vincent - totaling2,602,678 GRT/4,070,852 DWT; includes 89 cargo, 9 roll-on/ roll-off, 6refrigerated cargo, 14 container, 3 multifunction large load carriers, 51bulk, 5 passenger, 11 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 6 service vesselAirports:total:75usable:72with permanent-surface runways:15with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:10with runways 1,220-2,439 m:5Telecommunications:350,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 8 FM, 12 (2 repeaters) TV;1,100,000 radios; 1,027,000 TVs; NA submarine coaxial cables; satelliteground stations - none
*Croatia, Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,177,029; fit for military service 943,259; reach militaryage (19) annually 32,873 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:337-393 billion Croatian dinars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversionof defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange ratecould produce misleading results
*Cuba, Geography
Location:in the northern Caribbean Sea, 145 km south of Key West (Florida)Map references:Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of theWorldArea:total area:110,860 km2land area:110,860 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than PennsylvaniaLand boundaries:total 29 km, US Naval Base at Guantanamo 29 kmnote:Guantanamo is leased and as such remains part of CubaCoastline:3,735 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:US Naval Base at Guantanamo is leased to US and only mutual agreement or USabandonment of the area can terminate the leaseClimate:tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainyseason (May to October)Terrain:mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in thesoutheastNatural resources:cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleumLand use:arable land:23%permanent crops:6%meadows and pastures:23%forest and woodland:17%other:31%Irrigated land:8,960 km2 (1989)Environment:averages one hurricane every other yearNote:largest country in Caribbean
*Cuba, People
Population:10,957,088 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1% (1993 est.)Birth rate:17.08 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:6.5 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:10.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76.72 yearsmale:74.59 yearsfemale:78.99 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.83 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Cuban(s)adjective:CubanEthnic divisions:mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%Religions:nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to Castro assuming powerLanguages:SpanishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:94%male:95%female:93%Labor force:4,620,800 economically active population (1988); 3,578,800 in state sectorby occupation:services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce 11%,construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June 1990)
*Cuba, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Cubaconventional short form:Cubalocal long form:Republica de Cubalocal short form:CubaDigraph:CUType:Communist stateCapital:HavanaAdministrative divisions:14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality*, (municipioespecial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de LaHabana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las, Tunas, Matanzas,Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, VillaClaraIndependence:20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898to 1902)Constitution:24 February 1976Legal system:based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legaltheory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)Political parties and leaders:only party - Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretarySuffrage:16 years of age; universalElections:National Assembly of People's Power:last held December 1986 (next to be held February 1993); results - PCC isthe only party; seats - (510 total; after the February election, theNational Assembly will have 590 seats) indirectly elected from slatesapproved by special candidacy commissionsExecutive branch:president of the Council of State, first vice president of the Council ofState, Council of State, president of the Council of Ministers, first vicepresident of the Council of Ministers, Executive Committee of the Council ofMinisters, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly of the People's Power (Asamblea Nacional delPoder Popular)Judicial branch:People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo Popular)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President of the Council of State and President of the Council of MinistersFidel CASTRO Ruz (Prime Minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976when office was abolished; President since 2 December 1976); First VicePresident of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council ofMinisters Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976)
*Cuba, Government
Member of:CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS (excluded from formalparticipation since 1962), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Principal Officer Alfonso FRAGA Perez (since August 1992)chancery:2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, US Interests Section, Swiss Embassy,Washington, DC 20009 telephone:(202) 797-8518 or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Principal Officer Alan H. FLANIGANUS Interests Section:USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada entre L Y M, Vedado Seccion, Havanamailing address:USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L Y M, Vedado, Havavatelephone:32-0051, 32-0543FAX:no service available at this timenote:protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland - US Interests Section, SwissEmbassyFlag:five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white;a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a whitefive-pointed star in the center
*Cuba, Economy
Overview:Since Castro's takeover of Cuba in 1959, the economy has been run in theSoviet style of government ownership of substantially all the means ofproduction and government planning of all but the smallest details ofeconomic activity. Thus, Cuba, like the former Warsaw Pact nations, hasremained in the backwater of economic modernization. The economy contractedby about one-third between 1989 and 1992 as it absorbed the loss of $4billion of annual economic aid from the former Soviet Union and much smalleramounts from Eastern Europe. The government implemented numerous energyconservation measures and import substitution schemes to cope with a largedecline in imports. To reduce fuel consumption, Havana has cut back busservice and imported approximately 1 million bicycles from China,domesticated nearly 200,000 oxen to replace tractors, and halted a largeamount of industrial production. The government has prioritized domesticfood production and promoted herbal medicines since 1990 to compensate forlower imports. Havana also has been shifting its trade away from the formerSoviet republics and Eastern Europe toward the industrialized countries ofLatin America and the OECD.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $14.9 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:-15% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$1,370 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $12.46 billion; expenditures $14.45 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1990 est.)Exports:$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco, medical products, citrus, coffeepartners:Russia 30%, Canada 10%, China 9%, Japan 6%, Spain 4% (1992 est.)Imports:$2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:petroleum, food, machinery, chemicalspartners:Russia 10%, China 9%, Spain 9%, Mexico 5%, Italy 5%, Canada 4%, France 4%(1992 est.)External debt:$6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989)Industrial production:NAElectricity:3,889,000 kW capacity; 16,248 million kWh produced, 1,500 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:sugar milling and refining, petroleum refining, food and tobacco processing,textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel),cement, fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery
*Cuba, Economy
Agriculture:accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing and forestry); key commercialcrops - sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus fruits; other products - coffee,rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world's largest sugar exporter; notself-sufficient in food (excluding sugar); sector hurt by growing shortagesof fuels and partsEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$710 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $18.5 billionCurrency:1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (linked to the US dollar)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Cuba, Communications
Railroads:12,947 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,053 km of 1.435-metergauge track; 151.7 km electrified; 7,742 km of sugar plantation lines of0.914-m and 1.435-m gaugeHighways:26,477 km total; 14,477 km paved, 12,000 km gravel and earth surfaced (1989est.)Inland waterways:240 kmPorts:Cienfuegos, Havana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7 secondary, 35minorMerchant marine:73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 511,522 GRT/720,270 DWT; includes 42cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 1 cargo/training, 11 oil tanker, 1 chemicaltanker, 4 liquefied gas, 4 bulk; note - Cuba beneficially owns an additional38 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 529,090 DWT under the registry ofPanama, Cyprus, and MaltaAirports:total:186usable:166with permanent-surface runways:73with runways over 3,659 m:3with runways 2,440-3,659 m:12with runways 1,220-2,439 m:19Telecommunications:broadcast stations - 150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TVs; 2,140,000 radios;229,000 telephones; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Cuba, Defense Forces
Branches:Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) - including Ground Forces, RevolutionaryNavy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Ministry of the Armed ForcesSpecial Troops, Border Guard Troops, Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), YouthLabor Army (EJT)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 3,087,255; females age 15-49 3,064,663; males fit formilitary service 1,929,698; females fit for military service 1,910,733;males reach military age (17) annually 90,409; females reach military age(17) annually 87,274 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.2-1.4 billion; 10% of GNP in 1990 plan was fordefense and internal securityNote:the breakup of the Soviet Union, the key military supporter and supplier ofCuba, has resulted in substantially less outside help for Cuba's defenseforces
*Cyprus, Geography
Location:in the eastern Mediterreanean Sea, 97 km west of Syria and 64 km west ofTurkeyMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:9,250 km2land area:9,240 km2comparative area:about 0.7 times the size of ConnecticutLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:648 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, aGreek area controlled by the Cypriot Government (60% of the island's landarea) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (35% of the island) that are separated by anarrow UN buffer zone; in addition, there are two UK sovereign base areas(about 5% of the island's land area)Climate:temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet wintersTerrain:central plain with mountains to north and southNatural resources:copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigmentLand use:arable land:40%permanent crops:7%meadows and pastures:10%forest and woodland:18%other:25%Irrigated land:350 km2 (1989)Environment:moderate earthquake activity; water resource problems (no natural reservoircatchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, and most potable resourcesconcentrated in the Turkish-Cypriot area)
*Cyprus, People
Population:723,371 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate: 0.94% (1993 est.)Birth rate:17.14 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.74 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.98 yearsmale:73.75 yearsfemale:78.31 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.34 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Cypriot(s)adjective:CypriotEthnic divisions:Greek 78%, Turkish 18%, other 4%Religions:Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, and other 4%Languages:Greek, Turkish, EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1987)total population:94%male:98%female:91%Labor force:Greek area:282,000by occupation:services 57%, industry 29%, agriculture 14% (1991)Turkish area:72,000by occupation:services 57%, industry 22%, agriculture 21% (1991)