@American Samoa
Header
Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@American Samoa, Geography
Location:Oceania, Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean, 3,700 kmsouth-southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and NewZealandMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:199 sq kmland area:199 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than Washington, DCnote:includes Rose Island and Swains IslandLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:116 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfallaverages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry seasonfrom May to October; little seasonal temperature variationTerrain:five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains,two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)Natural resources:pumice, pumiciteLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:5%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:75%other:10%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:rent issues:NAural hazards:typhoons common from December to Marchernational agreements:NANote:Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the SouthPacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected byperipheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the SouthPacific Ocean
@American Samoa, People
Population:55,223 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.86% (1994 est.)Birth rate:36.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:Total population:72.91 yearsmale:71.03 yearsfemale:74.85 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:4.36 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:American Samoan(s)adjective:American SamoanEthnic divisions:Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%Religions:Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestantdenominations and other 30%Languages:Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages),English; most people are bilingualLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:97%male:97%female:97%Labor force:14,400 (1990)by occupation:government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
@American Samoa, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of American Samoaconventional short form:American SamoaAbbreviation:ASDigraph:AQType:unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered bythe US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and InternationalAffairsCapital:Pago PagoAdministrative divisions:none (territory of the US)Independence:none (territory of the US)National holiday:Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)Constitution:ratified 1966, in effect 1967Legal system:NASuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); VicePresident Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)head of government:Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993); Lieutenant GovernorTauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993); election last held 3 November1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - A. P. LUTALI(Democrat) 53%, Peter Tali COLEMAN (Republican) 36%Legislative branch:bicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono)House of Representatives:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November1994); results - representatives popularly elected from 17 housedistricts; seats - (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegatefrom Swains Island)Senate:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November1996); results - senators elected by village chiefs from 12 senatedistricts; seats - (18 total) number of seats by party NAUS House of Representatives:elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November1994); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegateJudicial branch:High CourtPolitical parties and leaders:NAMember of:ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, SPCDiplomatic representation in US:none (territory of the US)US diplomatic representation:none (territory of the US)Flag:blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly sideand extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagleflying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoansymbols of authority, a staff and a war club
@American Samoa, Economy
Overview:Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which AmericanSamoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tunaprocessing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with cannedtuna the primary export. The tuna canneries and the government are byfar the two largest employers. Other economic activities include aslowly developing tourist industry. Transfers from the US Governmentadd substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $128 million (1991)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$2,600 (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7% (1990)Unemployment rate:12% (1991)Budget:revenues:$97 million (includes $43,000,000 in local revenue and $54,000,000 ingrant revenue);expenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91)Exports:$306 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:canned tuna 93%partners:US 99.6%Imports:$360.3 million (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machineryand parts 6%partners:US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:42,000 kWproduction:100 million kWhconsumption per capita:2,020 kWh (1990)Industries:tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing vessels), meatcanning, handicraftsAgriculture:bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra,pineapples, papayas, dairy farmingEconomic aid:recipient:$21,042,650 in operational funds and $1,227,000 in construction fundsfor capital improvement projects from the US Department of Interior(1991)Currency:1 United States dollar = 100 centsExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
@American Samoa, Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:total:350 kmpaved:150 kmunpaved:200 kmPorts:Pago Pago, Ta'u, Ofu, Auasi, Aanu'u (new construction), FaleosaoAirports:total:4usable:4with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440 to 3,659 m:1 (international airport at Tafuna)with runways 1,200 to 2,439 m:0note:small airstrips on Fituita and OfuTelecommunications:8,399 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; good telex,telegraph, and facsimile services; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earthstation, 1 COMSAT earth station
@American Samoa, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Andorra, Geography
Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 450 sq km land area: 450 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 125 km, France 60 km, Spain 65 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and cool, dry summers Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 56% forest and woodland: 22% other: 20% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: landlocked
@Andorra, People
Population: 63,930 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.99% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.34 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.12 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 23.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.37 years male: 75.5 years female: 81.5 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Ethnic divisions: Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant) Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA
@Andorra, Government
Names:conventional long form:Principality of Andorraconventional short form:Andorralocal long form:Principat d'Andorralocal short form:AndorraDigraph:ANType:parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its headsof state a co-principality; the two princes are the president ofFrance and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are represented locallyby officials called veguersCapital:Andorra la VellaAdministrative divisions:7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra, Canillo,Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia de LoriaIndependence:1278National holiday:Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 SeptemberConstitution:Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; adopted 14March 1993Legal system:based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age, universalExecutive branch:chiefs of state:French Co-Prince Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981), representedby Veguer de Franca Jean Pierre COURTOIS (since NA); Spanish EpiscopalCo-Prince Mgr. Juan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971), representedby Veguer Episcopal Francesc BADIA Bata - two co-princes (PresidentFrancois MITTERRAND of France, since 21 May 1981, and Bishop of Seo deUrgel Juan MARTI Alanis in Spain, since 31 January 1971), twodesignated representatives (France - Veguer de Franca Jean PierreCOURTOIS, since NA, and Spain - Veguer Episcopal Francesc BADIA Bata,since NA), two permanent delegates (French Prefect Pierre STEINMETZfor the department of Pyrenees-Orientales, since NA, and Spanish VicarGeneral Nemesi MARQUES Oste for the Seo de Urgel diocese, since NA)head of government:Executive Council President Oscar RIBAS Reig (since 10 December 1993)elected by Parliamentcabinet:Executive Council; designated by the executive council presidentLegislative branch:unicameralGeneral Council of the Valleys:(Consell General de las Valls); elections last held 12 December 1993(next to be held NA); yielded no clear winner; results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (28 total) number of seats by party NAJudicial branch:Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) for civil cases, theEcclesiastical Court of the bishop of Seo de Urgel (Spain) for civilcases, Tribunal of the Courts (Tribunal des Cortes) for criminal casesPolitical parties and leaders:National Democratic Group (AND), Oscar RIBAS Reig and Jordi FARRAS;Liberal Union (UL), Francesc CERQUEDA; New Democracy (ND), JaumeBARTOMEU; Andorran National Coalition (CNA), Antoni CERQUEDA; NationalDemocratic Initiative (IDN), Vincenc MATEU; Liberal Union (UL),Francesc CERQUEDAnote:there are two other small partiesMember of:ECE, INTERPOL, IOC, UNDiplomatic representation in US:Andorra has no mission in the USUS diplomatic representation:Andorra is included within the Barcelona (Spain) Consular District,and the US Consul General visits Andorra periodicallyFlag:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red withthe national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat ofarms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad andRomania that do not have a national coat of arms in the center
@Andorra, Economy
Overview:Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's economy, accounts for roughly 80%of GDP. An estimated 13 million tourists visit annually, attracted byAndorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Thebanking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributessubstantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited by ascarcity of arable land, and most food has to be imported. Theprincipal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing consistsmainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member ofthe EU Customs Union; it is unclear what effect the European SingleMarket will have on the advantages Andorra obtains from its duty-freestatus.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $760 million (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$14,000 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:0%Budget:revenues:$138 millionexpenditures:$177 million, Including capital expenditures of $NA (1993)Exports:$30 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:electricity, tobacco products, furniturepartners:France, SpainImports:$NAcommodities:consumer goods, foodpartners:France, SpainExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:35,000 kWproduction:140 million kWhconsumption per capita:2,570 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco, bankingAgriculture:sheep raising; small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats,and some vegetablesEconomic aid:noneCurrency:1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos; theFrench and Spanish currencies are usedExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989); Spanishpesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 143.04 (January 1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38(1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990), 118.38 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Andorra, Communications
Highways:total:96 kmpaved:NAunpaved:NATelecommunications:international digital microwave network; international landlinecircuits to France and Spain; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV;17,700 telephones
@Andorra, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
@Angola, Geography
Location:Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Namibiaand ZaireMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1,246,700 sq kmland area:1,246,700 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than twice the size of TexasLand boundaries:total 5,198 km, Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire 2,511 km, Zambia1,110 kmCoastline:1,600 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:20 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dryseason (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)Terrain:narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateauNatural resources:petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,bauxite, uraniumLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:23%forest and woodland:43%other:32%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:current issues:population pressures contributing to overuse of pastures andsubsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropicalrain forest attributable to the international demand for tropicaltimber and domestic use as a fuel; deforestation contributing to lossof biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution andsiltation of rivers and dams; scarcity of potable waternatural hazards:locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateauinternational agreements:party to - Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate ChangeNote:Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire
@Angola, People
Population: 9,803,576 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.67% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.43 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 18.55 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 145.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.77 years male: 43.72 years female: 47.92 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.48 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ethnic divisions: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (est.) Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% Labor force: 2.783 million economically active by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.)
@Angola, Government
Note:Civil war has been the norm since independence on 11 November 1975; acease-fire lasted from 31 May 1991 until October 1992 when theinsurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)refused to accept its defeat in internationally monitored elections;fighting has since resumed throughout much of the countryside.Nevertheless, the two sides are negotiating the details for holdingthe second round of presidential elections.Names:conventional long form:Republic of Angolaconventional short form:Angolalocal long form:Republica de Angolalocal short form:Angolaformer:People's Republic of AngolaDigraph:AOType:transitional government nominally a multiparty democracy with a strongpresidential systemCapital:LuandaAdministrative divisions:18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie,Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo,Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige,ZaireIndependence:11 November 1975 (from Portugal)National holiday:Independence Day, 11 November (1975)Constitution:11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March1991, and 26 August 1992Legal system:based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recentlymodified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of freemarketsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)head of government:Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos MOCO (since 2 December 1992)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly (Assembleia Nacional):first nationwide, multiparty elections were held 29-30 September 1992with disputed results; further elections are being discussedJudicial branch:Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao)Political parties and leaders:Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by JoseEduardo DOS SANTOS, is the ruling party and has been in power since1975; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), ledby Jonas SAVIMBI, remains a legal party despite its return to armedresistance to the government; five minor parties have small numbers ofseats in the National AssemblyOther political or pressure groups:Cabindan State Liberation Front (FLEC), N'ZITA Tiago, leader oflargest faction (FLEC-FAC)note:FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle forthe independence of Cabinda ProvinceMember of:ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC (observer), ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Jose PATRICIOembassy:1899 L Street NW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20038telephone:(202) 785-1156FAX:(202) 785-1258US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Edmund DE JARNETTEembassy:Miramar, Luandamailing address:CP6484, Luanda, Angola (mail international); US Embassy, Luanda,Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20521-2550 (pouch)telephone:[244] (2) 39-24-98FAX:[244] (2) 39-05-15Flag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centeredyellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheelcrossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
@Angola, Economy
Overview:Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 80-90% of thepopulation but accounts for less than 15% of GDP. Oil production isvital to the economy, contributing about 60% to GDP. Bitter internalfighting continues to severely affect the economy, and food must beimported. In 1993, production fell by an estimated 22.6%, mainlybecause of the capture by insurgents of the oil town of Soyo anddiamond-producing areas in northeastern Angola. Angola has richnatural resources - notably gold, diamonds, and arable land, inaddition to large oil depoaits - but will need to end the war andreform government policies if it is to achieve its potential.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.7 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-22.6% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$600 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1,840% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:15% with considerable underemployment (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$928 millionexpenditures:$2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992est.)Exports:$3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fishand fish products, timber, cottonpartners:US, France, Germany, Netherlands, BrazilImports:$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), food, vehiclesand spare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines; substantialmilitary deliveriespartners:Portugal, Brazil, US, France, SpainExternal debt:$8 billion (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA%; accounts for about 60% of GDP, including petroleumoutputElectricity:capacity:510,000 kWproduction:800 million kWhconsumption per capita:84 kWh (1991)Industries:petroleum; mining - diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,uranium, and gold; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco;sugar; textiles; cement; basic metal productsAgriculture:cash crops - bananas, sugar cane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, cane,manioc, tobacco; food crops - cassava, corn, vegetables, plantains ;livestock production accounts for 20%, fishing 4%, forestry 2% oftotal agricultural output; disruptions caused by civil war, andmarketing deficiencies require food importsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $265 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$1.105 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.3 billion; netofficial disbursements (1985-89), $750 millionCurrency:1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lweiExchange rates:kwanza (Kz) per US$1 - 90,000 (official rate 1June 1994), 180,000(black market rate 1 June 1994); 7,000 (official rate 16 December1993), 50,000 (black market rate 16 December 1993); 3,884 (July 1993);550 (April 1992); 90 (November 1991); 60 (October 1990)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Angola, Communications
Railroads:3,189 km total; 2,879 km 1.067-meter gauge, 310 km 0.600-meter gauge;limited trackage in use because of landmines still in place from thecivil war; majority of the Benguela Railroad also closed because ofcivil warHighways:total:73,828 kmpaved:bituminous-surface 8,577 kmunpaved:crushed stone, gravel, improved earth 29,350 km; unimproved earth35,901 kmInland waterways:1,295 km navigablePipelines:crude oil 179 kmPorts:Luanda, Lobito, Namibe, CabindaMerchant marine:12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 63,776 GRT/99,863 DWT, cargo 11,oil tanker 1Airports:total:302usable:175with permanent-surface runways:32with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:18with runways 1,220-2,439 m:59Telecommunications:limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and troposcatterroutes; high frequency radio used extensively for military links;telephone service limited mostly to government and business use;40,300 telephones (4.1 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcaststations - 17 AM, 13 FM, 6 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstations
@Angola, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force/Air Defense, People's Defense Organization andTerritorial Troops,Manpower availability:males age 15-49 2,262,669; fit for military service 1,139,319; reachmilitary age (18) annually 96,900 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Anguilla
Header
Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)
@Anguilla, Geography
Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 270 km east of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 91 sq km land area: 91 sq km comparative area: about half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Natural resources: negligible; salt, fish, lobster Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) international agreements: NA
@Anguilla, People
Population: 7,052 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.67% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 24.25 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.08 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -9.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.99 years male: 71.21 years female: 76.8 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.07 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic divisions: black African Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% Languages: English (official) Literacy: age 12 and over can read and write (1984) total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% Labor force: 2,780 (1984) by occupation: NA
@Anguilla, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:AnguillaDigraph:AVType:dependent territory of the UKCapital:The ValleyAdministrative divisions:none (dependent territory of the UK)Independence:none (dependent territory of the UK)National holiday:Anguilla Day, 30 MayConstitution:Anguilla Constitutional Orders 1 April 1982; amended 1990Legal system:based on English common lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorAlan W. SHAVE (since 14 August 1992)head of government:Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March 1994)cabinet:Executive Council; appointed by the governor from the elected membersof the House of AssemblyLegislative branch:unicameralHouse of Assembly:elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected)ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1Judicial branch:High CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Anguilla National Alliance (ANA); Anguilla United Party (AUP), HubertHUGHES; Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP), Victor BANKSMember of:CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau)Diplomatic representation in US:none (dependent territory of the UK)US diplomatic representation:none (dependent territory of the UK)Flag:two horizontal bands of white (top, almost triple width) and lightblue with three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular designcentered in the white band; a new flag may have been in use since 30May 1990
@Anguilla, Economy
Overview:Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily onlobster fishing, offshore banking, tourism, and remittances fromemigrants. In recent years the economy has benefited from a boom intourism and construction. Development plans center around theimprovement of the infrastructure, particularly transport and touristfacilities, and also light industry.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $56.5 million (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:7.5% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$6,800 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:5% (1988 est.)Budget:revenues:$13.8 millionexpenditures:$15.2 million, including capital expenditures of $2.4 million (1992est.)Exports:$556,000 (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:lobster and saltpartners:NAImports:$33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:NApartners:NAExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:2,000 kWproduction:6 million kWhconsumption per capita:862 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, boat building, saltAgriculture:pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle,poultry, fishing (including lobster)Economic aid:recipient:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $38 millionCurrency:1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 centsExchange rates:East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)Fiscal year:NA
@Anguilla, Communications
Highways:total:NApaved:60 kmunpaved:NAPorts:Road Bay, Blowing PointAirports:total:3usable:2with permanent-surface runways:1 (1,000 m at Wallblake Airport)with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:modern internal telephone system; 890 telephones; broadcast stations -3 AM, 1 FM, no TV; radio relay microwave link to island of SaintMartin
@Anguilla, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Antarctica, Geography
Location:continent mostly south of the Antarctic CircleMap references:Antarctic RegionArea:total area:14 million sq km (est.)land area:14 million sq km (est.)comparative area:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the USnote:second-smallest continent (after Australia)Land boundaries:none, but see entry on International disputesCoastline:17,968 kmMaritime claims:none, but see entry on International DisputesInternational disputes:Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary below);sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile,France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (QueenMaud Land), and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize theterritorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves(the US reserves the right to do so); no formal claims have been madein the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees westClimate:severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distancefrom the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica becauseof its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderateclimate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast andaverage slightly below freezingTerrain:about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with averageelevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to 4,897meters high; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern VictoriaLand, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of RossIsland on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half ofthe coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area ofthe continentNatural resources:none presently exploited; iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel,platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been foundin small, uncommercial quantitiesLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%)Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:in October 1991 it was reported that the ozone shield, which protectsthe Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation, had dwindledto the lowest level recorded over Antarctica since 1975 whenmeasurements were first takennatural hazards:katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the highinterior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along thecoast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of WestAntarctica; other seismic activity rare and weakinternational agreements:NANote:the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest continent; during summermore solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than isreceived at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable
@Antarctica, People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are seasonally staffed research stations Summer (January) population: over 4,115 total; Argentina 207, Australia 268, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Chile 256, China NA, Ecuador NA, Finland 11, France 78, Germany 32, Greenpeace 12, India 60, Italy 210, Japan 59, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 264, Norway 23, Peru 39, Poland NA, South Africa 79, Spain 43, Sweden 10, UK 116, Uruguay NA, US 1,666, former USSR 565 (1989-90) Winter (July) population: over 1,046 total; Argentina 150, Australia 71, Brazil 12, Chile 73, China NA, France 33, Germany 19, Greenpeace 5, India 1, Japan 38, South Korea 14, NZ 11, Poland NA, South Africa 12, UK 69, Uruguay NA, US 225, former USSR 313 (1989-90) Year-round stations: 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Poland 1, South Africa 3, UK 5, Uruguay 1, US 3, former USSR 6 (1990-91) Summer only stations: over 38 total; Argentina 7, Australia 3, Chile 5, Germany 3, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 4, NZ 2, Norway 1, Peru 1, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Sweden 2, UK 1, US numerous, former USSR 5 (1989-90); note - the disintegration of the former USSR has placed the status and future of its Antarctic facilities in doubt; stations may be subject to closings at any time because of ongoing economic difficulties Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica Digraph: AY Type: Antarctic Treaty Summary: The Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica. Administration is carried out through consultative member meetings - the 18th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was in Japan in April 1993. Currently, there are 42 treaty member nations: 26 consultative and 16 acceding. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 19 nonclaimant nations. The US and some other nations that have made no claims have reserved the right to do so. The US does not recognize the claims of others. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), the US, and Russia. Acceding (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Bulgaria (1978), Canada (1988), Colombia (1988), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), and Ukraine (1992). Article 1: area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose Article 2: freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue Article 3: free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the UN and other international agencies Article 4: does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force Article 5: prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes Article 6: includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south Article 7: treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of military personnel must be given Article 8: allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states Article 9: frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations Article 10: treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty Article 11: disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ Article 12, 13, 14: deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations Other agreements: more than 170 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964); Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but was subsequently rejected; in 1991 the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed and awaits ratification; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes on marine pollution, fauna, and flora, environmental impact assessments, waste management, and protected areas; it also prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; nine parties have ratified Protocol as of April 1994 Legal system: US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply to areas not under jurisdiction of other countries. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: The taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected or scientific areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and 1 year in prison. The Departments of Treasury, Commerce, Transportation, and Interior share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs, Room 5801, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230 (703-306-1031). Overview: No economic activity at present except for fishing off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad.
@Antarctica, Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage only at most coastal stationsAirports:42 landing facilities at different locations operated by 15 nationalgovernments party to the Treaty; one additional air facility operatedby commercial (nongovernmental) tourist organization; helicopter padsat 28 of these locations; runways at 10 locations are gravel, sea ice,glacier ice, or compacted snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wingaircraft; no paved runways; 16 locations have snow-surface skiwayslimited to use by ski-equipped planes—11 runways/skiways 1,000 to3,000 m, 3 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m, 5 runways/skiwaysgreater than 3,000 m, and 7 of unspecified or variable length;airports generally subject to severe restrictions and limitationsresulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; airports donot meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respectivegovernmental or non-governmental operating organization required forlanding
@Antarctica, Defense Forces
Note:the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, suchas the establishment of military bases and fortifications, thecarrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type ofweapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment forscientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
@Antigua and Barbuda, Geography
Location:Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 420 km east-southeastof Puerto RicoMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:440 sq kmland area:440 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCnote:includes RedondaLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:153 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variationTerrain:mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher volcanicareasNatural resources:negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourismLand use:arable land:18%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:7%forest and woodland:16%other:59%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:insufficient freshwater resourcesnatural hazards:subject to hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)international agreements:party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Whaling
@Antigua and Barbuda, People
Population: 64,762 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.59% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 17.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -5.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.11 years male: 71.07 years female: 75.26 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic divisions: black African, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some Roman Catholic Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: age 15 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1960) total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% Labor force: 30,000 by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983)
@Antigua and Barbuda, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Antigua and BarbudaDigraph:ACType:parliamentary democracyCapital:Saint John'sAdministrative divisions:6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George,Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint PhilipIndependence:1 November 1981 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 1 November (1981)Constitution:1 November 1981Legal system:based on English common lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993)head of government:Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the governor general on the adviceof the prime ministerLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentSenate:17 member body appointed by the governor generalHouse of Representatives:elections last held 8 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) ALP 11, UPP 5,independent 1Judicial branch:Eastern Caribbean Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Lester Bryant BIRD; United ProgressiveParty (UPP), Baldwin SPENCEROther political or pressure groups:United Progressive Party (UPP), headed by Baldwin SPENCER, a coalitionof three opposition political parties - the United National DemocraticParty (UNDP); the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM); andthe Progressive Labor Movement (PLM); Antigua Trades and Labor Union(ATLU), headed by Noel THOMASMember of:ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WCL,WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Patrick Albert LEWISchancery:Suite 4M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 362-5211 or 5166, 5122FAX:(202) 362-5225consulate(s) general:MiamiUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda,and, in his absence, the Embassy is headed by Charge d'Affaires BryantJ. SALTERembassy:Queen Elizabeth Highway, Saint John'smailing address:FPO AA 34054-0001telephone:(809) 462-3505 or 3506FAX:(809) 462-3516Flag:red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of theflag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top),light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the black band
@Antigua and Barbuda, Economy
Overview:The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism the mostimportant determinant of economic performance. During the period1986-91, real GDP expanded at an annual average rate of about 6%.Tourism makes a direct contribution to GDP of about 13% and alsoaffects growth in other sectors - particularly in construction,communications, and public utilities. In 1992, reduced governmentcapital spending and private sector investment, dampened by recessionin the major world economies, slowed economic growth.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $368.5 million (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:NANational product per capita:$5,800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7% (1993)Unemployment rate:5% (1988 est.)Budget:revenues:$105 millionexpenditures:$161 million, including capital expenditures of $56 million (1992)Exports:$54.7 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live animals 4%,machinery and transport equipment 17%partners:OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%, US 0.3%Imports:$260.9 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,manufactures, chemicals, oilpartners:US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50%External debt:$250 million (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3% (1989 est.); accounts for 8% of GDPElectricity:capacity:52,100 kWproduction:95 million kWhconsumption per capita:1,482 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol,household appliances)Agriculture:accounts for 4% of GDP; expanding output of cotton, fruits,vegetables, and livestock; other crops - bananas, coconuts, cucumbers,mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments (1985-88), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODAand OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $50 millionCurrency:1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 centsExchange rates:East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Antigua and Barbuda, Communications
Railroads:64 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge and 13 km 0.610-meter gauge used almostexclusively for handling sugarcaneHighways:total:240 kmpaved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:Saint John'sMerchant marine:227 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 849,699 GRT/1,218,492 DWT, bulk4, cargo 156, chemical tanker 11, container 37, liquified gas 2, oiltanker 2, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11note:a flag of convenience registryAirports:total:3usable:3with permanent-surface runways:2with runways 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:good automatic telephone system; 6,700 telephones; troposphericscatter links with Saba and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 2FM, 2 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station
@Antigua and Barbuda, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and BarbudaPolice Force (including the Coast Guard)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, 1% of GDP (FY90/91)
@Arctic Ocean, Geography
Location:body of water mostly north of the Arctic CircleMap references:Arctic Region, Asia, North America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:14.056 million sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than 1.5 times the size of the US; smallest of theworld's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and IndianOcean)note:includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, EastSiberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea,Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodiesCoastline:45,389 kmInternational disputes:some maritime disputes (see littoral states); Svalbard is the focus ofa maritime boundary dispute between Norway and RussiaClimate:polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrowannual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuousdarkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summerscharacterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weakcyclones with rain or snowTerrain:central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack thataverages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may bethree times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort GyralStream, but nearly straight line movement from the New SiberianIslands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland);the ice pack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but morethan doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encirclingland masses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highestpercentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basininterrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, NansenCordillera, and Lomonsov Ridge); maximum depth is 4,665 meters in theFram BasinNatural resources:sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oiland gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)Environment:current issues:endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragileecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions ordamagenatural hazards:ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extremenortheastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually icelocked fromOctober to Juneinternational agreements:NANote:major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to thePacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); ships subject to superstructureicing from October to May; strategic location between North Americaand Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern andwestern Russia, floating research stations operated by the US andRussia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50centimeters over the frozen ocean and lasts about 10 months
@Arctic Ocean, Government
Digraph:XQ
@Arctic Ocean, Economy
Overview:Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources,including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
@Arctic Ocean, Communications
Ports:Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)Telecommunications:no submarine cablesNote:sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the NorthwestPassage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are importantseasonal waterways
@Argentina, Geography
Location:Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean betweenChile and UruguayMap references:South America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:2,766,890 sq kmland area:2,736,690 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than three-tenths the size of the USLand boundaries:total 9,665 km, Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 kmCoastline:4,989 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:not specifiedterritorial sea:200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nmInternational disputes:short section of the boundary with Uruguay is in dispute; shortsection of the boundary with Chile is indefinite; claimsBritish-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); claimsBritish-administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands;territorial claim in AntarcticaClimate:mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwestTerrain:rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau ofPatagonia in south, rugged Andes along western borderNatural resources:fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore,manganese, petroleum, uraniumLand use:arable land:9%permanent crops:4%meadows and pastures:52%forest and woodland:22%other:13%Irrigated land:17,600 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:erosion results from inadequate flood controls and improper land usepractices; irrigated soil degradation; desertification; air pollutionin Buenos Aires and other major cites; water pollution in urban areas;rivers becoming polluted due to increased pesticide and fertilizer usenatural hazards:Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes;pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas andnortheast; heavy floodinginternational agreements:party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, ClimateChange, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, HazardousWastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratfied - Biodiversity, Law of theSea, Marine Life ConservationNote:second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategiclocation relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic and SouthPacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)
@Argentina, People
Population: 33,912,994 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.12% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 19.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 29.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.35 years male: 68.06 years female: 74.81 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Ethnic divisions: white 85%, mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhite groups 15% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 6% Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 95% male: 96% female: 95% Labor force: 10.9 million by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.)
@Argentina, Government
Names:conventional long form:Argentine Republicconventional short form:Argentinalocal long form:Republica Argentinalocal short form:ArgentinaDigraph:ARType:republicCapital:Buenos AiresAdministrative divisions:23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 federaldistrict* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut;Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito Federal*; Entre Rios; Formosa; Jujuy; LaPampa; La Rioja; Mendoza; Misiones; Neuquen; Rio Negro; Salta; SanJuan; San Luis; Santa Cruz; Santa Fe; Santiago del Estero; Tierra delFuego, Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur; Tucumannote:the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica or Argentina'sclaims to the Falkland IslandsIndependence:9 July 1816 (from Spain)National holiday:Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)Constitution:1 May 1853Legal system:mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice President(position vacant); election last held 14 May 1989 (next to be heldsummer 1995); results - Carlos Saul MENEM was electedcabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)Senate:elections last held May 1989, but provincial elections in late 1991set the stage for indirect elections by provincial senators forone-third of 48 seats in the national senate in May 1992; seats (48total) - PJ 30, UCR 11, others 7Chamber of Deputies:elections last held NA October 1993 ( next to be held October 1995);elections are held every two years and half of the total membership iselected each time for four year terms; seats—(257 total) PJ 128, UCR81, MODIN 7, UCD 5, other 36Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)Political parties and leaders:Justicialist Party (PJ), Carlos Saul MENEM, Peronist umbrellapolitical organization; Radical Civic Union (UCR),Raul ALFONSIN,moderately left-of-center party; Union of the Democratic Center (UCD),Jorge AGUADO, conservative party; Intransigent Party (PI), Dr. OscarALENDE, leftist party; Dignity and Independence Political Party(MODIN), Aldo RICO, right-wing party; Grand Front (Frente Grande),Carlos ALVAREZ, center-left coalition; several provincial partiesOther political or pressure groups:Peronist-dominated labor movement; General Confederation of Labor(CGT; Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); ArgentineIndustrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society(large landowners' association); business organizations; students; theRoman Catholic Church; the Armed ForcesMember of:AG (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-11,G-15, G-19, G-24, AfDB, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, MINURSO, MTCR, OAS,PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ,UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Raul Enrique GRANILLO OCAMPOchancery:1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 939-6400 through 6403consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador James CHEEK (since 28 May 1993)embassy:4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Airesmailing address:APO AA 34034telephone:[54] (1) 774-7611, 8811, 9911FAX:[54] (1) 775-4205Flag:three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and lightblue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a humanface known as the Sun of May
@Argentina, Economy
Overview:Argentina is rich in natural resources and has a highly literatepopulation, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversifiedindustrial base. Nevertheless, following decades of mismanagement andstatist policies, the economy in the late 1980s was plagued with hugeexternal debts and recurring bouts of hyperinflation. Elected in 1989,in the depths of recession, President MENEM has implemented acomprehensive economic restructuring program that shows signs ofputting Argentina on a path of stable, sustainable growth. Argentina'scurrency has traded at par with the US dollar since April 1991, andinflation has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. Argentines haveresponded to the relative price stability by repatriating flightcapital and investing in domestic industry. Growth slowed somewhat in1993 but Argentina still registered an impressive 6% advance, fueledlargely by inflows of foreign capital and strong domestic consumptionspending. The government's major short term objective is encouragingexports, e.g., by reducing domestic costs of production. Much remainsto be done in the 1990s in dismantling the old statist barriers togrowth and in solidifying the recent economic gains.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $185 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:6% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$5,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.4% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:10% (1993)Budget:revenues:$33.1 billionexpenditures:$35.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.5 billion (1992)Exports:$12.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, hides, woolpartners:US 12%, Brazil, Italy, Japan, NetherlandsImports:$16 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and lubricants,agricultural productspartners:US 22%, Brazil, Germany, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, NetherlandsExternal debt:$73 billion (April 1994)Industrial production:growth rate 10% (1992 est.); accounts for 31% of GDPElectricity:capacity:17,911,000 kWproduction:51.305 billion kWhconsumption per capita:1,559 kWh (1992)Industries:food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles,chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steelAgriculture:accounts for 8% of GDP (including fishing); produces abundant food forboth domestic consumption and exports; among world's top fiveexporters of grain and beef; principal crops - wheat, corn, sorghum,soybeans, sugar beetsIllicit drugs:increasing use as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for theUS and EuropeEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.4billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $718 millionCurrency:1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavosExchange rates:pesos per US$1 - 0.99850 (January 1994), 0.99895 (1993), 0.99064(1992), 0.95355 (1991), 0.48759 (1990), 0.04233 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year