Branches:Army (including Police), Navy, Air ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,313,265; fit for military service 709,712; reachmilitary age (18) annually 62,488 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.)
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Header Affiliation: (territory of Australia)
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Geography
Location: Southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean, 4,100 km southwest of Australia Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total area: 412 sq km land area: 412 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with an quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: primarily used for research stations
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, People
Population: uninhabited
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islandsconventional short form:Heard Island and McDonald IslandsDigraph:HMType:territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Environment,Sport, and TerritoriesCapital:none; administered from Canberra, AustraliaIndependence:none (territory of Australia)
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Economy
Overview: no economic activity
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
@Holy See (Vatican City), Geography
Location:Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome - central ItalyMap references:EuropeArea:total area:0.44 sq kmland area:0.44 sq kmcomparative area:about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, drysummers (May to September)Terrain:low hillNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution, Environmental ModificationNote:urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state;outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo(the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
@Holy See (Vatican City), People
Population:821 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.15% (1994 est.)Birth rate:NADeath rate:NANet migration rate:NAInfant mortality rate:NALife expectancy at birth:NATotal fertility rate:NANationality:noun:noneadjective:noneEthnic divisions:Italians, SwissReligions:Roman CatholicLanguages:Italian, Latin, various other languagesLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NAby occupation:dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who liveoutside the Vatican
@Holy See (Vatican City), Government
Names:conventional long form:The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)conventional short form:Holy See (Vatican City)local long form:Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)local short form:Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)Digraph:VTType:monarchical-sacerdotal stateCapital:Vatican CityIndependence:11 February 1929 (from Italy)National holiday:Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II)note:Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978Constitution:Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)Legal system:NASuffrage:limited to cardinals less than 80 years oldExecutive branch:chief of state:Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978); electionlast held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of thecurrent pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by theCollege of Cardinalshead of government:Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA 1991)cabinet:Pontifical Commission; appointed by PopeLegislative branch:unicameral Pontifical CommissionJudicial branch:none; normally handled by ItalyPolitical parties and leaders:noneOther political or pressure groups:none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)Member of:CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS(observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLANchancery:3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 333-7121US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNNembassy:Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294, 00165 Romemailing address:PSC 59, APO AE 09624telephone:[396] 46741FAX:[396] 638-0159Flag:two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossedkeys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
@Holy See (Vatican City), Economy
Overview:This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially bycontributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughoutthe world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees foradmission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes andliving standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat betterthan, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.Budget:revenues:$86 millionexpenditures:$178 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:5,000 kW standbyproduction:power supplied by Italyconsumption per capita:NA (1992)Industries:printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staffuniforms; worldwide banking and financial activitiesCurrency:1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimiExchange rates:Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,700.2 (January 1994), 1,573.7 (1993),1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989); note -the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulatesfreelyFiscal year:calendar year
@Holy See (Vatican City), Communications
Railroads:850 m, 750-mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome stationof Saint Peter's)Highways:none; all city streetsTelecommunications:broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephoneexchange; no communications satellite systems
@Holy See (Vatican City), Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are postedat entrances to the Vatican City
@Honduras, Geography
Location:Middle America, between Guatemala and NicaraguaMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zonesof the WorldArea:total area:112,090 sq kmland area:111,890 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than TennesseeLand boundaries:total 1,520 km, Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 kmCoastline:820 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly resolved by 11 September1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred themaritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement inthis century and advised that some tripartite resolution among ElSalvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be requiredClimate:subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountainsTerrain:mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plainsNatural resources:timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal,fishLand use:arable land:14%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:30%forest and woodland:34%other:20%Irrigated land:900 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and theclearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradationand soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improperland use practices such as farming of marginal lands; miningactivities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source offreshwater) with heavy metals as well as several rivers and streamsnatural hazards:subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaginghurricanes and floods along Caribbean coastinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Tropical Timber
@Honduras, People
Population: 5,314,794 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.73% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 34.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.22 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.6 years male: 65.23 years female: 70.08 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.71 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 73% male: 76% female: 71% Labor force: 1.3 million by occupation: agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%, other 6% (1985)
@Honduras, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Hondurasconventional short form:Honduraslocal long form:Republica de Honduraslocal short form:HondurasDigraph:HOType:republicCapital:TegucigalpaAdministrative divisions:18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida,Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, FranciscoMorazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira,Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, YoroIndependence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)National holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)Constitution:11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982Legal system:rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of Englishcommon law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsoryExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Carlos Roberto REINA Idiaquez (since 27 January 1994);election last held on 28 November 1993 (next to be held November1997); results - Carlos Roberto REINA Idiaquez (PLH) 53%, OswaldoRAMOS Soto (PNH) 41%, other 6%cabinet:CabinetLegislative branch:unicameralNational Congress (Congreso Nacional):elections last held on 27 November 1993 (next to be held November1997); results - PNH 53%, PLH 41%, PDCH 1.0%, PINU-SD 2.5%, other2.5%; seats - (134 total) PNH 55, PLH 77, PINU-SD 2Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)Political parties and leaders:Liberal Party (PLH), Rafael PINEDA Ponce, president; National Party(PN) has two factions: Movimiento Nacional de ReivindicationCallejista (Monarca), Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS, and Oswaldista,Oswaldo RAMOS Soto, presidential candidate; National Innovation andUnity Party (PINU), Olban VALLADARES, president; Christian DemocraticParty (PDCH), Efrain DIAZ Arrivillaga, presidentOther political or pressure groups:National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Councilof Private Enterprise (COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers(CTH); National Union of Campesinos (UNC); General WorkersConfederation (CGT); United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH);Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH);Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations (CCOP)Member of:BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,LAIA (observer), LORCS, MINURSO, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Rene Arturo BENDANAchancery:3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 966-7702, 2604, 5008, 4596FAX:(202) 966-9751consulate(s) general:Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, SanFrancisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)consulate(s):Boston, Detroit, and JacksonvilleUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador William PRYCEembassy:Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpamailing address:American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpatelephone:[504] 32-3120FAX:[504] 32-0027Flag:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with fiveblue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the whiteband; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republicof Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, andNicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a roundemblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICACENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag ofNicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICADE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in thewhite band
@Honduras, Economy
Overview:Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts formore than 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and producestwo-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still inits early stages, employs nearly 9% of the labor force, accounts for15% of GDP, and generates 20% of exports. The service sectors,including public administration, account for 50% of GDP and employ 20%of the labor force. Basic problems facing the economy include rapidpopulation growth, high unemployment, a lack of basic services, alarge and inefficient public sector, and the dependence of the exportsector mostly on coffee and bananas, which are subject to sharp pricefluctuations. A far-reaching reform program initiated by formerPresident CALLEJAS in 1990 is beginning to take hold. In 1993 thelarge fiscal deficit emerged as a key economic problem, the result ofimprovident state spending.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $10 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:3.7% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$1,950 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):13% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:10%; underemployed 30%-40% (1992)Budget:revenues:$1.4 billionexpenditures:$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $511 million (1990est.)Exports:$850 million (f.o.b., 1993 est)commodities:bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumberpartners:US 53%, Germany 11%, Belgium 8%, UK 5%Imports:$1.1 billion (c.i.f. 1993 est)commodities:machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufacturedgoods, fuel and oil, foodstuffspartners:US 50%, Mexico 8%, Guatemala 6%External debt:$2.8 billion (1990)Industrial production:growth rate 0.8% (1990 est.); accounts for 15% of GDPElectricity:capacity:575,000 kWproduction:2 billion kWhconsumption per capita:390 kWh (1992)Industries:agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, woodproductsAgriculture:most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, more than60% of the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal productsinclude bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importerof wheatIllicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaine; illicit producer of cannabis,cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumptionEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1billionCurrency:1 lempira (L) = 100 centavosExchange rates:lempiras (L) per US$1 - 7.2600 (December 1993), 7.2600 (1993), 5.8300(1992), 5.4000 (1991); 2.0000 (fixed rate until 1991) 5.70 parallelblack-market rate (November 1990); the lempira was allowed to float in1992Fiscal year:calendar year
@Honduras, Communications
Railroads:785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gaugeHighways:total:8,950 kmpaved:1,700 kmunpaved:otherwise improved 5,000 km; unimproved earth 2,250 kmInland waterways:465 km navigable by small craftPorts:Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San LorenzoMerchant marine:270 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 831,856 GRT/1,248,186 DWT, bulk25, cargo 177, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 7,liquified gas 1, oil tanker 22, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 2,refrigerated cargo 20, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger2, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1note:a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 14 ships under theHonduran flagAirports:total:160usable:133with permanent-surface runways:11with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,220-2,439 m:14Telecommunications:inadequate system with only 7 telephones per 1,000 persons;international services provided by 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstations and the Central American microwave radio relay system;broadcast stations - 176 AM, no FM, 7 SW, 28 TV
@Honduras, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces(FUSEP)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 1,229,777; fit for military service 732,866; reachmilitary age (18) annually 60,445 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $42.8 million, about 1.3% of GDP (1993est.)
@Hong Kong
Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)
@Hong Kong, Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, on the southeast coast of China bordering the South China Sea Map references: Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,040 sq km land area: 990 sq km comparative area: slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 30 km, China 30 km Coastline: 733 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 12% other: 79% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989) Environment: current issues: air and water pollution from rapid urbanization natural hazards: occasional typhoons international agreements: NA Note: more than 200 islands
@Hong Kong, People
Population:5,548,754 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:-0.09% (1994 est.)Birth rate:12.16 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:5.85 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-7.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:80.09 yearsmale:76.67 yearsfemale:83.71 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.37 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Chineseadjective:ChineseEthnic divisions:Chinese 95%, other 5%Religions:eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%Languages:Chinese (Cantonese), EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over having ever attended school (1971)total population:77%male:90%female:64%Labor force:2.8 million (1990)by occupation:manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, andhotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7%(1989)
@Hong Kong, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Hong KongAbbreviation:HKDigraph:HKType:dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997Capital:VictoriaAdministrative divisions:none (dependent territory of the UK)Independence:none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement withChina on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997;in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong'sexisting social and economic systems and lifestyle)National holiday:Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)Constitution:unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new BasicLaw approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997Legal system:based on English common lawSuffrage:direct election 21 years of age; universal for permanent residentsliving in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years;indirect election limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoralcollege and functional constituenciesExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)head of government:Governor Chris PATTEN (since 9 July 1992); Chief Secretary Anson CHANFang On-Sang (since 29 November 1993)cabinet:Executive Council; appointed by the governorLegislative branch:unicameralLegislative Council:indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct electionswere held for the first time 15 September 1991 (next to be held inSeptember 1995 when the number of directly-elected seats increases to20); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 18 directly elected,18 appointed by governor, 3 ex officio members); indirect elections -number of seats by functional constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other 2Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:United Democrats of Hong Kong, Martin LEE, chairman; DemocraticAlliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing, chairman;Hong Kong Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying, chairmannote:in April 1994, the United Democrats of Hong Kong and Meeting Pointmerged to form the "Democratic Party;" the merger becomes effective inOctober 1994Other political or pressure groups:Liberal Party, Allen LEE, chairman; Meeting Point, Anthony CHEUNGBing-leung, chairman; Association for Democracy and People'sLivelihood, Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal DemocraticFederation, HU Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation of Trade Unions(pro-China), LEE Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong and Kowloon TradeUnion Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions(pro-democracy), LAU Chin-shek, chairman; Hong Kong General Chamber ofCommerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Federationof Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers' Association of HongKong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong,president; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic DemocraticMovement in China, Szeto WAH, chairmannote:in April 1994, the United Democrats of Hong Kong and Meeting Pointmerged to form the "Democratic Party;" the merger becomes effective inOctober 1994Member of:COCOM (cooperating), APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU,IMO (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL,WMODiplomatic representation in US:none (dependent territory of the UK)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Consul General Richard MUELLERconsulate general:26 Garden Road, Hong Kongmailing address:PSC 464, Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002telephone:[852] 523-9011FAX:[852] 845-1598Flag:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with theHong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half ofthe flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks belowa crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon(representing China) with another lion above the shield and a bannerbearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
@Hong Kong, Economy
Overview:Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs ornontariff barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and rawmaterials must be imported. Manufacturing accounts for about 17% ofGDP. Goods and services exports account for about 50% of GDP. Real GDPgrowth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90,and picked up to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, and 5.2% in 1993.Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s, is nowabout 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upward pressure onprices and the cost of living. Short-term prospects remain bright solong as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $119 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:5.2% (1993)National product per capita:$21,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):9.5% (1993)Unemployment rate:2.3% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$19.2 billionexpenditures:$19.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94)Exports:$145.1 billion (including re-exports of $104.2 billion )(f.o.b., 1993est.)commodities:clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical appliances,watches and clocks, toyspartners:China 32%, US 23%, Germany 5%, Japan 5%, UK 3% (1993 est.)Imports:$149.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures,petroleumpartners:China 36%, Japan 19%, Taiwan 9%, US 7% (1993 est.)External debt:none (1993)Industrial production:growth rate 2% (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:9,566,000 kWproduction:29.4 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,980 kWh (1992)Industries:textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches,clocksAgriculture:minor role in the economy; local farmers produce 26% fresh vegetables,27% live poultry; 8% of land area suitable for farmingIllicit drugs:a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and majorfinancial and money-laundering centerEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $152 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $923millionCurrency:1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1993), 7.741 (1992), 7.771(1991), 7.790 (1990), 7.800 (1989); note - linked to the US dollar atthe rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Hong Kong, Communications
Railroads:35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government ownedHighways:total:1,100 kmpaved:794 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone, earth 306 kmPorts:Hong KongMerchant marine:201 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 6,972,233 GRT/11,965,809 DWT,bulk 105, cargo 23, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 2, combinationore/oil 6, container 29, liquefied gas 7, oil tanker 16, refrigeratedcargo 7, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2note:a flag of convenience registry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly theUK flag, and an estimated 500 Hong Kong-owned ships are registeredelsewhereAirports:total:2usable:2with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:modern facilities provide excellent domestic and internationalservices; 3,000,000 telephones; microwave transmission links andextensive optical fiber transmission network; broadcast stations - 6AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) repeaterstation and 1 British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater station;2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000 TV sets (1,224,000 color TVsets); satellite earth stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 2Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; links to 5international submarine cables providing access to ASEAN membernations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
@Hong Kong, Defense Forces
Branches:Headquarters of British Forces, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, RoyalHong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,636,397; fit for military service 1,251,901; reachmilitary age (18) annually 42,044 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989 est.); thisrepresents one-fourth of the total cost of defending itself, theremainder being paid by the UKNote:defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Howland Island
Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Howland Island, Geography
Location:Oceania, Polynesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,575 km southwest ofHonolulu, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii andAustraliaMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:1.6 sq kmland area:1.6 sq kmcomparative area:about 2.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:6.4 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunTerrain:low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrowfringing reef; depressed central areaNatural resources:guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)Land use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:5%other:95%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:lacks freshwaternatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growingshrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting,roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marinewildlife; feral cats
@Howland Island, People
Population:uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 afterJapanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by USmilitary during World War II, but abandoned after the war; publicentry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted toscientists and educators
@Howland Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Howland IslandDigraph:HQType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge SystemCapital:none; administered from Washington, DC
@Howland Island, Economy
Overview: no economic activity
@Howland Island, Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middleof the west coastAirports:airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on theround-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan - they leftLae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; theairstrip is no longer serviceableNote:Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast thatwas partially destroyed during World War II, but has since beenrebuilt in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart
@Howland Island, Defense Forces
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
@Hungary, Geography
Location:Central Europe, between Slovakia and RomaniaMap references:Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, EuropeArea:total area:93,030 sq kmland area:92,340 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than IndianaLand boundaries:total 1,989 km, Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbiaand Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 82km, Ukraine 103 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:Gabcikovo Dam dispute with SlovakiaClimate:temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summersTerrain:mostly flat to rolling plainsNatural resources:bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soilsLand use:arable land:50.7%permanent crops:6.1%meadows and pastures:12.6%forest and woodland:18.3%other:12.3%Irrigated land:1,750 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:air pollution; industrial and municipal pollution of Lake Balatonnatural hazards:levees are common along many streams, but flooding occurs almost everyyearinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the SeaNote:landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes betweenWestern Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine andMediterranean basin
@Hungary, People
Population:10,319,113 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:-0.03% (1994 est.)Birth rate:12.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:12.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:71.37 yearsmale:67.37 yearsfemale:75.58 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Hungarian(s)adjective:HungarianEthnic divisions:Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian0.7%Religions:Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other7.5%Languages:Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:99%male:99%female:98%Labor force:5.4 millionby occupation:services, trade, government, and other 44.8%, industry 29.7%,agriculture 16.1%, construction 7.0% (1991)
@Hungary, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Hungaryconventional short form:Hungarylocal long form:Magyar Koztarsasaglocal short form:MagyarorszagDigraph:HUType:republicCapital:BudapestAdministrative divisions:38 counties (megyek, singular - megye) and 1 capital city* (fovaros);Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,Budapest*, Csongrad, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Fejer, Gyor,Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely,Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc,Nagykanizsa, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Pest, Somogy, Sopron,Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szolnok, Szombathely,Tatabanya, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala, ZalaegerszegIndependence:1001 (unification by King Stephen I)National holiday:St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the foundingof Hungarian state circa 1000 A.D.)Constitution:18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals andconstitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and alsoestablished the principle of parliamentary oversightLegal system:in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on WesternmodelSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interimpresident from 2 May 1990); election last held 3 August 1990 (next tobe held NA 1995); results - President GONCZ elected by parliamentaryvote; note - President GONCZ was elected by the National Assembly witha total of 295 votes out of 304 as interim President from 2 May 1990until elected Presidenthead of government:Prime Minister Peter BOROSS (since 12 December 1993 on the death ofJozsef ANTALL); new prime minister will probably be Gyula HORNcabinet:Council of Ministers; elected by the National Assembly onrecommendation of the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly (Orszaggyules):elections last held on 8 and 29 May 1994 (next to be held spring1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (386 total)Hungarian Socialist Party 209, Alliance of Free Democrats 70,Hungarian Democratic Forum 37, Independent Smallholders 26, ChristianDemocratic People's Party 22, Federation of Young Democrats 20, other2Judicial branch:Constitutional CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Democratic Forum, Sandor LESZAK, chairman; Independent Smallholders(FKGP), Jozsef TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP),Gyula HORN, president; Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), Dr.Lazlo SURJAN, president; Federation of Young Democrats (FIDESZ),Viktor ORBAN, chairman; Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), Ivan PETO,chairmannote:the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP) renouncedCommunism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) in October1989; there is still a small MSZMPMember of:Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE,EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-9, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM(guest), NSG, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Pal TARchancery:3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 362-6730FAX:(202) 966-8135consulate(s) general:Los Angeles and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Donald BLINKENembassy:V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapestmailing address:Am Embassy, Unit 1320, Budapest; APO AE 09213telephone:[36] (1) 112-6450FAX:[36] (1) 132-8934Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
@Hungary, Economy
Overview:Hungary is still in the midst of a difficult transition from a commandto a market economy. Its economic reforms during the Communist eragave it a head start on this process, particularly in terms ofattracting foreign investors - Hungary has accounted for about half ofall foreign direct investment in Eastern Europe since 1989.Nonetheless, the economy continued to contract in 1993, with real GDPfalling perhaps 1%. Although the privatization process has lagged, inDecember 1993 Hungary carried out the largest privatization yet inEastern Europe, selling a controlling interest in the Matavtelecommunications firm to private investors - including a 30% shareto a US-German consortium for $875 million. Overall, about half of GDPnow originates in the private sector. Unemployment rose to about 13%in 1993 while inflation remained above 20%, and falling exports pushedthe trade deficit to about $3 billion. The government hopes thateconomic recovery in Western Europe in 1994 will boost exports, lowerthe trade deficit, and help jump-start the economy. The budget,however, is likely to remain a serious concern; depressed tax revenuepushed up the budget deficit in 1993.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $57 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-1% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$5,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):23% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:13% (1993)Budget:revenues:$10.2 billionexpenditures:$12.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)Exports:$8.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals 39.6%, machinery 14.5%,consumer goods 22.3%, food and agriculture 20.0%, fuels and energy3.6% (January-June 1993)partners:EC 49.8% (Germany 27.8%, Italy 9.5%), Austria 10.7%, the FSU 13.1%,Eastern Europe 9.8% (1992)Imports:$12.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:fuels and energy 13.9%, raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals35.9%, machinery 22.4%, consumer goods 21.8%, food and agriculture6.0% (January-June 1993)partners:EC 42.8% (Germany 23.6%, Italy 6.3%), Austria 14.4%, the FSU 16.8%,Eastern Europe 9.2%External debt:$24.7 billion (November 1993)Industrial production:growth rate 4% (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:7,200,000 kWproduction:30 billion kWhconsumption per capita:3,000 kWh (1992)Industries:mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles,chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), buses, automobilesAgriculture:including forestry, accounts for 15% of GDP and 16% of employment;highly diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops -wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets; livestock - hogs,cattle, poultry, dairy products; self-sufficient in food outputIllicit drugs:transshipment point for Southeast Asia heroin transiting the BalkanrouteEconomic aid:recipient:assistance pledged by OECD countries since 1989 about $9 billionCurrency:1 forint (Ft) = 100 fillerExchange rates:forints per US$1 - 93.46 (September 1993), 92.5 (1993), 78.99 (1992),74.74 (1991), 63.21 (1990), 59.07 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Hungary, Communications
Railroads:7,765 km total; 7,508 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 222 km narrowgauge (mostly 0.760-meter), 35 km 1.520-meter broad gauge; 1,236 kmdouble track, 2,249 km electrified; all government owned (1990)Highways:total:130,224 kmpaved:61,948 kmunpaved:68,276 km (1988)Inland waterways:1,622 km (1988)Pipelines:crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)Ports:Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube; coastaloutlets are Rostock (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia (Poland),Szczecin (Poland), Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania)Merchant marine:10 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) and 1 bulk totaling 46,121GRT/61,613 DWTAirports:total:126usable:65with permanent-surface runways:12with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:18with runways 1,060-2,439 m:31note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:automatic telephone network based on microwave radio relay system;1,128,800 phones (1991); telephone density is at 19.4 per 100inhabitants; 49% of all phones are in Budapest; 608,000 telephones onorder (1991); 12-15 year wait for a phone; 14,213 telex lines (1991);broadcast stations - 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (8 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.2million TVs (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT andIntersputnik
@Hungary, Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, TerritorialDefenseManpower availability:males age 15-49 2,636,888; fit for military service 2,105,628; reachmilitary age (18) annually 90,134 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:66.5 billion forints, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion ofdefense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange ratecould produce misleading results
@Iceland, Geography
Location:Nordic State, Northern Europe, in the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenGreenland and NorwayMap references:Arctic Region, Europe, North America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:103,000 sq kmland area:100,250 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than KentuckyLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:4,988 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and theUK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockallarea)Climate:temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters;damp, cool summersTerrain:mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coastdeeply indented by bays and fiordsNatural resources:fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomiteLand use:arable land:1%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:20%forest and woodland:1%other:78%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewatertreatmentnatural hazards:subject to earthquakes and volcanic activityinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, EnvironmentalModification, Marine Life ConservationNote:strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost Europeancountry; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continentalEurope
@Iceland, People
Population:263,599 (July 1994 est.)note:population data estimates based on average growth rate may differslightly from official population data because of volatile migrationratesPopulation growth rate:0.9% (1994 est.)Birth rate:16.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:6.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:78.83 yearsmale:76.57 yearsfemale:81.21 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.11 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Icelander(s)adjective:IcelandicEthnic divisions:homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and CeltsReligions:Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, none1% (1988)Languages:IcelandicLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)total population:100%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:127,900by occupation:commerce, transportation, and services 60.0%, manufacturing 12.5%,fishing and fish processing 11.8%, construction 10.8%, agriculture4.0% (1990)
@Iceland, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Icelandconventional short form:Icelandlocal long form:Lyoveldio Islandlocal short form:IslandDigraph:ICType:republicCapital:ReykjavikAdministrative divisions:23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns*(kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*,Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla,Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla,Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*,Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla,Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la,Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*,Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla,Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla,Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla,Vestur-SkaftafellssyslaIndependence:17 June 1944 (from Denmark)National holiday:Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944)Constitution:16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944Legal system:civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980); election lastheld on 29 June 1988 (next scheduled for June 1996); results - therewas no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR wasunopposedhead of government:Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralParliament (Althing):elections last held on 20 April 1991 (next to be held by April 1995);results - Independence Party 38.6%, Progressive Party 18.9%, SocialDemocratic Party 15.5%, People's Alliance 14.4%, Womens List 8.3%,Liberals 1.2%, other 3.1%; seats - (63 total) Independence 26,Progressive 13, Social Democratic 10, People's Alliance 9, Womens List5Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Haestirettur)Political parties and leaders:Independence Party (conservative), David ODDSSON; Progressive Party,Steingrimur HERMANNSSON; Social Democratic Party, Jon BaldvinHANNIBALSSON; People's Alliance (left socialist), Olafur RagnarGRIMSSON; Women's ListMember of:Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA,NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO,WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Einar BENEDIKTSSONchancery:2022 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 265-6653 through 6655FAX:(202) 265-6656consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Parker W. BORGembassy:Laufasvegur 21, Box 40, Reykjavikmailing address:US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, Reykjavik; FPO AE 09728-0340telephone:[354] (1) 629100FAX:[354] (1) 629139Flag:blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges ofthe flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist sidein the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
@Iceland, Economy
Overview:Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, butwith an extensive welfare system, relatively low unemployment, andcomparatively even distribution of income. The economy is heavilydependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 75% of exportearnings and employs 12% of the workforce. In the absence of othernatural resources - except energy - Iceland's economy is vulnerable tochanging world fish prices. Iceland's economy has been in recessionsince 1988. The recession continued in 1993 due to a third year ofcutbacks in fishing quotas as well as falling world prices for thecountry's main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, andferrosilicon. Real GDP declined 3.3% in 1992 and rose slightly, by0.4%, in 1993. The center-right government's economic goals includereducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreignborrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishingpolicies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-ownedindustries. The recession has led to a wave of bankruptcies andmergers throughout the economy, as well as the highest unemployment ofthe post-World War II period. Inflation, previously a serious problem,declined from double digit rates in the 1980s to only 3.7% in 1992-93.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.2 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:0.4% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$16,000 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4% (1993)Unemployment rate:4.5% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$1.8 billionexpenditures:$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $191 million (1992)Exports:$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum, ferrosilicon,diatomitepartners:EC 68% (UK 25%, FRG 12%), US 11%, Japan 8% (1992)Imports:$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products,foodstuffs, textilespartners:EC 53% (Germany 14%, Denmark 10%, UK 9%), Norway 14%, US 9% (1992)External debt:$3.9 billion (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 1.75% (1991 est.)Electricity:capacity:1,063,000 kWproduction:5.165 billion kWhconsumption per capita:19,940 kWh (1992)Industries:fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production,geothermal powerAgriculture:accounts for about 15% of GDP; fishing is most important economicactivity, contributing nearly 75% to export earnings; principal crops- potatoes, turnips; livestock - cattle, sheep; self-sufficient incrops; fish catch of about 1.1 million metric tons in 1992Economic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 millionCurrency:1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurarExchange rates:Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 72.971 (January 1994), 67.603(1993), 57.546 (1992), 58.996 (1991), 58.284 (1990), 57.042 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Iceland, Communications
Highways:total:12,537 kmpaved:2,690 kmunpaved:gravel, earth 9,847 kmPorts:Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hafnarfjordhur, Keflavik, Seydhisfjordhur,Siglufjordhur, VestmannaeyjarMerchant marine:8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 33,212 GRT/47,359 DWT, cargo 2,chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2,roll-on/roll-off cargo 2Airports:total:90usable:84with permanent-surface runways:9with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:12Telecommunications:adequate domestic service; coaxial and fiber-optical cables andmicrowave radio relay for trunk network; 140,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 5 AM, 147 (transmitters and repeaters) FM, 202(transmitters and repeaters) TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station carries all international traffic; a secondINTELSAT earth station is scheduled to be operational in 1993
@Iceland, Defense Forces
Branches:Police, Coast Guardnote:no armed forces, Iceland's defense is provided by the US-mannedIcelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at KeflavikManpower availability:males age 15-49 70,074; fit for military service 62,197Defense expenditures:none
@India, Geography
Location:Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal,between Bangladesh and PakistanMap references:Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:3,287,590 km2land area:2,973,190 km2comparative area:slightly more than one-third the size of the USLand boundaries:total 14,103 km, Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km,China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 kmCoastline:7,000 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:boundaries with Bangladesh and China; status of Kashmir with Pakistan;water-sharing problems with downstream riparians, Bangladesh over theGanges and Pakistan over the IndusClimate:varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in northTerrain:upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain alongthe Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in northNatural resources:coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese,mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds,petroleum, limestoneLand use:arable land:55%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:4%forest and woodland:23%other:17%Irrigated land:430,390 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; airpollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; waterpollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; hugeand rapidly growing population is overstraining natural resourcesnatural hazards:droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; subject toearthquakes (a quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale occurred nearHyderabad killing several thousand people and causing extensive damagein late September 1993)international agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber,Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Law of the SeaNote:dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean traderoutes
@India, People
Population:919,903,056 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.82% (1994 est.)Birth rate:28.45 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:10.29 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:78.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:58.58 yearsmale:58.09 yearsfemale:59.09 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.48 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Indian(s)adjective:IndianEthnic divisions:Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%Religions:Hindu 80%, Muslim 14%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2%, Buddhist 0.7%, Jains0.5%, other 0.4%Languages:English enjoys associate status but is the most important language fornational, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the nationallanguage and primary tongue of 30% of the people, Bengali (official),Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu(official), Gujarati (official), Malayalam (official), Kannada(official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official),Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official),Hindustani a popular variant of Hindu/Urdu, is spoken widelythroughout northern Indianote:24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous otherlanguages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligibleLiteracy:age 7 and over can read and write (1991 est.)total population:52.11%male:63.86%female:39.42%Labor force:314.751 million (1990)by occupation:agriculture 65% (1993 est.)
@India, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Indiaconventional short form:IndiaDigraph:INType:federal republicCapital:New DelhiAdministrative divisions:25 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*,Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Dadraand Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana,Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*,Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura,Uttar Pradesh, West BengalIndependence:15 August 1947 (from UK)National holiday:Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 26 January (1950)Constitution:26 January 1950Legal system:based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Shankar Dayal SHARMA (since 25 July 1992); Vice PresidentKicheril Raman NARAYANAN (since 21 August 1992)head of government:Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha RAO (since 21 June 1991)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation ofthe prime ministerLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Sansad)Council of States (Rajya Sabha):body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to 12 appointed bythe president, the remainder chosen by the elected members of thestate and territorial assembliesPeople's Assembly (Lok Sabha):elections last held 21 May, 12 and 15 June 1991 (next to be held byNovember 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (545total, 543 elected, 2 appointed) Congress (I) Party 245, BharatiyaJanata Party 119, Janata Dal Party 39, Janata Dal (Ajit Singh) 20,CPI/M 35, CPI 14, Telugu Desam 13, AIADMK 11, Samajwadi Janata Party5, Shiv Sena 4, RSP 4, BSP 1, Congress (S) Party 1, other 23, vacant 9Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Congress (I) Party, P. V. Narasimha RAO, president; Bharatiya JanataParty (BJP), L.K. ADVANI; Janata Dal Party, Chandra SHEKHAR; JanataDal (Ajit Singh), Ajit SINGH; Communist Party of India/Marxist(CPI/M), Harkishan Singh SURJEET; Communist Party of India (CPI),Indrajit GUPTA; Telugu Desam (a regional party in Andhra Pradesh), N.T. Rama RAO; All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK; aregional party in Tamil Nadu), Jayaram JAYALALITHA; Samajwadi Party(SP, formerly Samajwadi Janata Party), Mulayam Singh YADAV(President), Om Prakash CHAUTALA, Devi LAL; Shiv Sena, Bal THACKERAY;Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Tridip CHOWDHURY; Bahujana SamajParty (BSP), Kanshi RAM; Congress (S) Party, leader NA; CommunistParty of India/Marxist-Leninist (CPI/ML), Vinod MISHRA; DravidaMunnetra Kazagham (a regional party in Tamil Nadu), M. KARUNANIDHI;Akali Dal factions representing Sikh religious community in thePunjab; National Conference (NC; a regional party in Jammu andKashmir), Farooq ABDULLAHOther political or pressure groups:various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regionalautonomy; numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations,including Adam Sena, Ananda Marg, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and RashtriyaSwayamsevak SanghMember of:AG (observer), AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19, AfDB,G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUSAL, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Siddhartha Shankar RAYchancery:2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 939-7000consulate(s) general:Chicago, New York, and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador-designate Frank WISNERembassy:Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021, New Delhimailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[91] (11) 600651FAX:[91] (11) 687-2028consulate(s) general:Bombay, Calcutta, MadrasFlag:three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with ablue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar tothe flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the whiteband