@Kuwait, Economy
Overview:Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proven crude oilreserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwaithas rebuilt its war-ravaged petroleum sector; its crude oil productionreached at least 2.0 million barrels per day by the end of 1993. Thegovernment ran a sizable fiscal deficit in 1993. Petroleum accountsfor nearly half of GDP and 90% of export and government revenues.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $25.7 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:15% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$15,100 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (1993)Unemployment rate:NEGL% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues:$9 billionexpenditures:$13 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93)Exports:$10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:oilpartners:France 16%, Italy 15%, Japan 12%, UK 11%Imports:$6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothingpartners:US 35%, Japan 12%, UK 9%, Canada 9%External debt:$7.2 billion (December 1989 est.)note:external debt has grown substantially in 1991 and 1992 to pay forrestoration of war damageIndustrial production:growth rate NA%; accounts for NA% of GDPElectricity:capacity:6,873,000 kW available out of 7,398,000 kW due to Persian Gulf warproduction:12.264 billion kWhconsumption per capita:8,890 kWh (1992)Industries:petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, buildingmaterials, salt, constructionAgriculture:practically none; dependent on imports for food; about 75% of potablewater must be distilled or importedEconomic aid:donor:pledged bilateral aid to less developed countries (1979-89), $18.3billionCurrency:1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2982 (January 1994), 0.3017 (1993),0.2934 (1992), 0.2843 (1991), 0.2915 (1990), 0.2937 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Kuwait, Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:total:3,900 kmpaved:bituminous 3,000 kmunpaved:gravel, sand, earth 900 kmPipelines:crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 kmPorts:Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina'Su'udMerchant marine:46 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 2,153,693 GRT/3,561,568 DWT,cargo 10, container 2, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 4, oiltanker 23Airports:total:7usable:4with permanent-surface runways:4with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:civil network suffered extensive damage as a result of the Gulf warand reconstruction is still under way with some restored internationaland domestic capabilities; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 0 FM, 3 TV;satellite earth stations - destroyed during Gulf war and not rebuiltyet; temporary mobile satellite ground stations provide internationaltelecommunications; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to SaudiArabia; service to Iraq is nonoperational
@Kuwait, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National GuardManpower availability:males age 15-49 537,696; fit for military service 321,767; reachmilitary age (18) annually 15,354 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 7.3% of GDP (FY92/93)
@Kyrgyzstan, Geography
Location:Central Asia, between China and KazakhstanMap references:Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States,Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:198,500 sq kmland area:191,300 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than South DakotaLand boundaries:total 3,878 km, China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km,Uzbekistan 1,099 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in IsfaraValley areaClimate:dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest(Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zoneTerrain:peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated valleys andbasins encompass entire nationNatural resources:small amounts of coal abundant hydroelectric potential; significantdeposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oiland natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead,and zinc, natural gas, oil, nepheline, rare earth metals, mercury,bismuth, gold, lead, zinc, hydroelectric powerLand use:arable land:7%permanent crops:NEGL%meadows and pastures:42%forest and woodland:0%other:51%Irrigated land:10,320 sq km (1990)Environment:current issues:water pollution; many people get their water directly fromcontaminated streams and wells and as a result, water-borne diseasesare prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigationpracticesnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:landlocked
@Kyrgyzstan, People
Population:4,698,108 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.53% (1994 est.)Birth rate:26.33 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:7.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-3.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:46.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.92 yearsmale:63.69 yearsfemale:72.35 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.35 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Kyrgyz(s)adjective:KyrgyzEthnic divisions:Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German2.4%, other 8.3%Religions:Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA%Languages:Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian widely usedLiteracy:age 9-49 can read and write (1970)total population:100%male:100%female:100%Labor force:1.836 millionby occupation:agriculture and forestry 38%, industry and construction 21%, other 41%(1990)
@Kyrgyzstan, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kyrgyz Republicconventional short form:Kyrgyzstanlocal long form:Kyrgyz Respublikasylocal short form:noneformer:Kirghiz Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:KGType:republicCapital:BishkekAdministrative divisions:6 oblasttar (singular - oblast); Chuy Oblasty, Jalal-Abad Oblasty,Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblastynote:the administrative center for Chuy Oblasty is Bishkek; theadministrative center for Ysyk-Kol Oblasty may be Ksyk-Kol or Karakol;all other oblasttar have administrative centers of the same name asthe oblastIndependence:31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)National holiday:National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31 August (1991)Constitution:adopted 5 May 1993Legal system:based on civil law systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990); election last held 12October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Askar AKAYEV won inuncontested election with 95% of vote and with 90% of electoratevoting; note - president elected by Supreme Soviet 28 October 1990,then by popular vote 12 October 1991; note - AKAYEV won 96% of thevote in a referendum on his status as president on 30 January 1993head of government:Prime Minister Apas DZHUMAGULOV (since NA December 1993); First DeputyPrime Minister Almambet MATURBRAIMOV (since NA)cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers; subordinate to the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralZhogorku Keneshom:elections last held 25 February 1990 for the Supreme Soviet (next tobe held no later than NA November 1994 for the Zhogorku Keneshom);results - Communists 90%; seats - (350 total) Communists 310Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Social Democrats, Ishenbai KADYRBEKOV, chairman; Kyrgyzstan DemocraticMovement (KDM), Kazat AKHMATOV, chairman; National Unity, GermanKUZNETSOV; Communist Party, Dzhumalbek AMANBAYEV, chairman; Erkin(Free) Kyrgyzstan Party, Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV, chairmanOther political or pressure groups:National Unity Democratic Movement; Peasant Party; Council of FreeTrade Unions; Union of Entrepreneurs; Agrarian PartyMember of:CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IOC, NACC, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant)chancery:(temporary) Suite 705, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone:(202) 347-3732/3FAX:(202) 347-3718US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Edward HURWITZembassy:Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek 720002mailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:7-3312 22-29-20, 22-26-93, 22-29-89FAX:7-3312 22-35-51Flag:red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representingthe 40 Krygyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays runcounterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sunis a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylizedrepresentation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
@Kyrgyzstan, Economy
Overview:Kyrgyzstan is one of the smallest and poorest states of the formerSoviet Union. Its economy is heavily agricultural, producing cottonand tobacco on irrigated land in the south, grain in the foothills ofthe north, and sheep and goats on mountain pastures. Its small andobsolescent industrial sector, concentrated around Bishkek, is heavilydependent on Russia and other CIS countries for customers and forinputs, including most of its fuel. Since 1990, the economy hascontracted by almost 40%. Kyrgyzstan's inflation was high in 1993,about 23% per month, but rates were declining at the end of the year.Kyrgyzstan introduced its national currency, the som, in May 1993, ithas privatized 28% of its former state assets, and plans call for amassive voucher privatization in 1994. Although Kyrgyzstan willreceive relatively large flows of foreign aid, ongoing economicrestructuring will continue to be painful with an anticipated increasein unemployment as uneconomic enterprises close. President AKAYEV willbe under strong political pressure to backtrack on some reformmeasures.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $11.3 billion (1993 estimate fromthe UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 andpublished in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and asextrapolated to 1993 using official Kirghiz statistics, which are veryuncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)National product real growth rate:-13.4% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$2,440 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):23% per month (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:0.2% includes officially registered unemployed; also large numbers ofunregistered unemployed and underemployed workersBudget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$100.4 million to countries outside the FSU (1993 est.)commodities:wool, chemicals, cotton, ferrous and nonferrous metals, shoes,machinery, tobaccopartners:Russia 70%, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and othersImports:$105.8 million from countries outside the FSU (1993 est.)commodities:grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery,textiles, footwearpartners:other CIS republicsExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -27% (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:4,100,000 kWproduction:11.8 billion kWhconsumption per capita:2,551 kWh (1992)Industries:small machinery, textiles, food-processing industries, cement, shoes,sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, and rareearth metalsAgriculture:wool, tobacco, cotton, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle), vegetables,meat, grapes, fruits and berries, eggs, milk, potatoesIllicit drugs:illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CISconsumption; limited government eradication program; used astransshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and NorthAmerica from Central and Southwest AsiaEconomic aid:recipient:$80 million in 1993 and an anticipated $400 million in 1994Currency:introduced national currency, the som (10 May 1993)Exchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
@Kyrgyzstan, Communications
Railroads:370 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:total:30,300 kmpaved and graveled:22,600 kmunpaved:earth 7,700 km (1990)Pipelines:natural gas 200 kmPorts:none; landlockedAirports:total:52usable:27with permanent-surface runways:12with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,060-2,439 m:13note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:poorly developed; 342,000 telephones in 1991 (also about 100,000unsatisfied applications for household telephones); 76 telephones per1,000 persons (31 December 1991); microwave radio relay is principalmeans of intercity telephone links; connections with other CIScountries by landline or microwave and with other countries by leasedconnections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite;2 satellite earth stations - 1 GORIZONT and 1 INTELSAT (links throughAnkara to 200 other countries and receives Turkish broadcasts);broadcast receivers - radios 825,000, TVs 875,000, radio receiversystems with multiple speakers for program diffusion 748,000
@Kyrgyzstan, Defense Forces
Branches:National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), CivilDefenseManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,123,959; fit for military service 912,516; reachmilitary age (18) annually 44,528 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Laos, Geography
Location:Southeastern Asia, between Vietnam and ThailandMap references:Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:236,800 sq kmland area:230,800 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than UtahLand boundaries:total 5,083 km, Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:boundary dispute with ThailandClimate:tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (Decemberto April)Terrain:mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateausNatural resources:timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstonesLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:3%forest and woodland:58%other:35%Irrigated land:1,200 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil erosionnatural hazards:subject to floods, drought, and blightinternational agreements:party to - Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, butnot ratified - Law of the SeaNote:landlocked
@Laos, People
Population: 4,701,654 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.85% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 43.23 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 14.74 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 101.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.68 years male: 50.16 years female: 53.28 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.07 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Ethnic divisions: Lao 50%, Phoutheung (Kha) 15%, tribal Thai 20%, Meo, Hmong, Yao, and other 15% Religions: Buddhist 85%, animist and other 15% Languages: Lao (official), French, English Literacy: age 15-45 can read and write (1993) total population: 64% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 1-1.5 million by occupation: agriculture 85-90% (est.)
@Laos, Government
Names:conventional long form:Lao People's Democratic Republicconventional short form:Laoslocal long form:Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Laolocal short form:noneDigraph:LAType:Communist stateCapital:VientianeAdministrative divisions:16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality*(kampheng nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai,Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang,Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Xekong, Vientiane,Viangchan*, Xaignabouri, XiangkhoangIndependence:19 July 1949 (from France)National holiday:National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People'sDemocratic Republic)Constitution:promulgated 14 August 1991Legal system:based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President NOUHAK PHOUMSAVAN (since 25 November 1992)head of government:Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August 1991)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the president, approved by theAssemblyLegislative branch:unicameralThird National Assembly:elections last held on 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total) number of seats byparty NAJudicial branch:Supreme People's CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, partypresident; includes Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC); otherparties moribundOther political or pressure groups:non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders fled the countryin 1975Member of:ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador HIEM PHOMMACHANHchancery:2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 332-6416 or 6417FAX:(202) 332-4923US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Victor TOMSETHembassy:Rue Bartholonie, Vientianemailing address:B. P. 114, Vientiane, or American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546telephone:[851] 2220, 2357, or 3570, 16-9581FAX:[851] 4675Flag:three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red witha large white disk centered in the blue band
@Laos, Economy
Overview:Laos has had a Communist centrally planned economy with governmentownership and control of major productive enterprises. Since 1986,however, the government has been decentralizing control andencouraging private enterprise. Laos is a landlocked country with aprimitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary roadsystem, limited external and internal telecommunications, andelectricity available in only a limited area. Subsistence agricultureis the main occupation, accounting for over 60% of GDP and providingabout 85-90% of total employment. The predominant crop is rice. Forthe foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend for itssurvival on foreign aid from the IMF and other international sources;aid from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has been cut sharply.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.1 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:7% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$900 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):9.8% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:21% (1989 est.)Budget:revenues:$83 millionexpenditures:$188.5 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (1990est.)Exports:$133 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:electricity, wood products, coffee, tinpartners:Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, FSU, US, ChinaImports:$266 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufacturespartners:Thailand, FSU, Japan, France, Vietnam, ChinaExternal debt:$1.1 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 12% (1991 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1991 est.)Electricity:capacity:226,000 kWproduction:990 million kWhconsumption per capita:220 kWh (1992)Industries:tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agriculturalprocessing, constructionAgriculture:accounts for 60% of GDP and employs most of the work force;subsistence farming predominates; normally self-sufficient innondrought years; principal crops - rice (80% of cultivated land),sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton; livestock- buffaloes, hogs, cattle, poultryIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis, opium poppy for the international drugtrade, third-largest opium producer (180 metric tons in 1993)Economic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $276 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $605million; Communist countries (1970-89), $995 millionCurrency:1 new kip (NK) = 100 atExchange rates:new kips (NK) per US$1 - 720 (July 1993). 710 (May 1992), 710(December 1991), 700 (September 1990), 576 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Laos, Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:total:27,527 kmpaved:bituminous 1,856 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 7,451 km; unimproved earth18,220 km (often impassable during rainy season mid-May tomid-September)Inland waterways:about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additionalkilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 mPipelines:petroleum products 136 kmPorts:noneMerchant marine:1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWTAirports:total:53usable:41with permanent-surface runways:8with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:15Telecommunications:service to general public practically non-existant; radiocommunications network provides generally erratic service togovernment users; 7,390 telephones (1986); broadcast stations - 10 AM,no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station
@Laos, Defense Forces
Branches:Lao People's Army (LPA; including naval, aviation, and militiaelements), Air Force, National Police DepartmentManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,015,357; fit for military service 547,566; reachmilitary age (18) annually 49,348 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Latvia, Geography
Location:Eastern Europe, bordering on the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and RussiaMap references:Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:64,100 sq kmland area:64,100 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than West VirginiaLand boundaries:total 1,078 km, Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km,Russia 217 kmCoastline:531 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:the Abrene section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet SocialistRepublic to Russia in 1944Climate:maritime; wet, moderate wintersTerrain:low plainNatural resources:minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomiteLand use:arable land:27%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:13%forest and woodland:39%other:21%Irrigated land:160 sq km (1990)Environment:current issues:air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversionequipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted;contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleumproducts at military basesnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified- Biodiversity, Climate Change
@Latvia, People
Population:2,749,211 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.5% (1994 est.)Birth rate:13.84 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:12.61 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:3.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:21.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:69.44 yearsmale:64.37 yearsfemale:74.75 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.98 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Latvian(s)adjective:LatvianEthnic divisions:Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%, Ukrainian 3.4%,Polish 2.3%, other 4.2%Religions:Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian OrthodoxLanguages:Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, otherLiteracy:age 9-49 can read and write (1970)total population:100%male:100%female:100%Labor force:1.407 millionby occupation:industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, other 43%(1990)
@Latvia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Latviaconventional short form:Latvialocal long form:Latvijas Republikalocal short form:Latvijaformer:Latvian Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:LGType:republicCapital:RigaAdministrative divisions:26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: AizkrauklesRajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons,Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons,Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, KraslavasRajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons,Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*,Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons,Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, VentspilsRajonsIndependence:6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)National holiday:Independence Day, 18 November (1918)Constitution:newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933 constitutionLegal system:based on civil law systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993); Saeima elected PresidentULMANIS in the third round of balloting on 7 July 1993head of government:Prime Minister Valdis BIRKAVS (since 20 July 1993)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the Supreme CouncilLegislative branch:unicameralParliament (Saeima):elections last held 5-6 June 1993 (next to be held NA June 1996);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) LC 36, LNNK15, Concord for Latvia 13, LZS 12, Equal Rights 7, LKDS 6, TUB 6, DCP5Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Latvian Way Union (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS; Latvian Farmers Union (LZS),Alvars BERKIS; Latvian National Independence Movement (LNNK), AndrejsKRASTINS, Aristids LAMBERGS, cochairmen; Concord for Latvia, JanisJURKANS; Equal Rights, Sergejs DIMANIS; Christian Democrat Union(LKDS), Peteris CIMDINS, Andris SAULITIS, Janis RUSKO; Fatherland andFreedom (TUB), Maris GRINBLATS, Roberts MILBERGS, Oigerts DZENTIS;Democratic Center (DCP), Ints CALITIS; Popular Front of Latvia (LTF),Uldis AUGSTKALNSMember of:BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE (guest), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM(observer), ITU, LORCS, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINSchancery:4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone:(202) 726-8213 and 8214US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Ints M, SILINSembassy:Raina Boulevard 7, Riga 226050mailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:46-9-882-0046FAX:46-9-882-0047Flag:two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle,narrower than other two bands)
@Latvia, Economy
Overview:Latvia is rapidly becoming a dynamic market economy, rivaled only byEstonia among the former Soviet states in the speed of itstransformation. The transition has been painful with GDP falling over45% in 1992-93, according to official statistics, and industrialproduction experiencing even steeper declines. Nevertheless, thegovernment's tough monetary policies and reform program, which fosterthe development of the private sector and market mechanisms, have keptinflation low, created a dynamic private sector - much of which is notcaptured in official statistics - and expanded trade ties with theWest. Much of agriculture is already privatized and the governmentplans to step up the pace of privatization of state enterprises. Theeconomy is now poised for recovery and will benefit from the country'sstrategic location on the Baltic Sea, its well-educated population,and its diverse - albeit largely obsolete - industrial structure.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $13.2 billion (1993 estimate fromthe UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 andpublished in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and asextrapolated to 1993 using official Latvian statistics, which are veryuncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)National product real growth rate:-5% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$4,810 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% per month (1993 average)Unemployment rate:5.6% (December 1993)Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$429 million from non-FSU countries (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:oil products, timber, ferrous metals, dairy products, furniture,textilespartners:Russia, other CIS countries, Western EuropeImports:$NAcommodities:fuels, cars, ferrous metals, chemicalspartners:Russia, other CIS countries, Western EuropeExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -38% (1992 est.)Electricity:capacity:2,140,000 kWproduction:5.8 billion kWhconsumption per capita:2,125 kWh (1992)Industries:employs 41% of labor force; highly diversified; dependent on importsfor energy, raw materials, and intermediate products; produces buses,vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agriculturalmachinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics,pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textilesAgriculture:employs 16% of labor force; principally dairy farming and livestockfeeding; products - meat, milk, eggs, grain, sugar beets, potatoes,vegetables; fishing and fish packingIllicit drugs:transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asiaand Latin America to Western Europe; limited producer of illicitopium; mostly for domestic consumption; also produces illicitamphetamines for exportEconomic aid:$NACurrency:1 lat = 100 cents; introduced NA March 1993Exchange rates:lats per US$1 - 0.5917 (January 1994), 1.32 (March 1993)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Latvia, Communications
Railroads:2,400 km (1,524-mm gauge); 270 km electrifiedHighways:total:59,500 kmpaved and graveled:33,000 kmunpaved:earth 26,500 km (1990)Inland waterways:300 km perennially navigablePipelines:crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)Ports:coastal - Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja; inland - DaugavpilsMerchant marine:93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 850,840 GRT/1,107,403 DWT, cargo15, container 2, oil tanker 41, refrigerated cargo 27,roll-on/roll-off cargo 8Airports:total:50usable:15with permanent-surface runways:11with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:7with runways 1,060-2,439 m:7note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:Latvia is better provided with telephone service than most of theother former Soviet republics; subscriber circuits 660,000; subscriberdensity 240 per 1,000 persons (1993); an NMT-450 analog cellulartelephone network covers 75% of Latvia's population; internationaltraffic carried by leased connection to the Moscow internationalgateway switch and through the new Ericsson AXE local/transit digitaltelephone exchange in Riga and through the Finnish cellular net;electronic mail capability by Sprint data network; broadcastingservices NA
@Latvia, Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Security Forces (internal and bordertroops), Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 652,444; fit for military service 514,055; reachmilitary age (18) annually 18,803 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:176 million rubles, 3%-5% of GDP; note - conversion of the militarybudget into US dollars using the prevailing exchange rate couldproduce misleading results
@Lebanon
HeaderNote:Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutionsand regaining its national sovereignty since the end of thedevastating 16-year civil war in October 1990. Under the Ta'if accord- the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese haveestablished a more equitable political system, particularly by givingMuslims a greater say in the political process. Since December 1990,the Lebanese have formed three cabinets and conducted the firstlegislative election in 20 years. Most of the militias have beenweakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has seized vastquantities of weapons used by the militias during the war and extendedcentral government authority over about one-half of the country.Hizballah, the radical Sh'ia party, retains most of its weapons.Foreign forces still occupy areas of Lebanon. Israel maintains troopsin southern Lebanon and continues to support a proxy militia, The Armyof South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguousto its border. The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declaredsecurity zone and about 20 kilometers north to the strategic town ofJazzine. As of December 1993, Syria maintained about 30,000-35,000troops in Lebanon. These troops are based mainly in Beirut, NorthLebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's deployment was legitimized bythe Arab League early in Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if accord.Citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's requests, andfailure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of theconstitutional reforms in the Ta'if accord, Damascus has so farrefused to withdraw its troops from Beirut.
@Lebanon, Geography
Location:Middle East, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Israel andSyriaMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:10,400 sq kmland area:10,230 sq kmcomparative area:about 0.8 times the size of ConnecticutLand boundaries:total 454 km, Israel 79 km, Syria 375 kmCoastline:225 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israeli troops insouthern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central,and eastern Lebanon since October 1976Climate:Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers;Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snowsTerrain:narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon andAnti-Lebanon MountainsNatural resources:limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficitregionLand use:arable land:21%permanent crops:9%meadows and pastures:1%forest and woodland:8%other:61%Irrigated land:860 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air and water pollutionnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution;signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, MarineLife ConservationNote:Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing aninternational boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate,protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion,clan, and ethnicity
@Lebanon, People
Population:3,620,395 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.98% (1994 est.)Birth rate:27.89 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:6.55 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-1.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:39.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:69.35 yearsmale:66.92 yearsfemale:71.9 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Lebanese (singular and plural)adjective:LebaneseEthnic divisions:Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%Religions:Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups - Alawite or Nusayri,Druze, Isma'ilite, Shi'a, Sunni), Christian 30% (11 legally recognizedChristian groups - 4 Orthodox Christian, 6 Catholic, 1 Protestant),Judaism NEGL%Languages:Arabic (official), French (official), Armenian, EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:80%male:88%female:73%Labor force:650,000by occupation:industry, commerce, and services 79%, agriculture 11%, government 10%(1985)
@Lebanon, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Lebanonconventional short form:Lebanonlocal long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyahlocal short form:noneDigraph:LEType:republicCapital:BeirutAdministrative divisions:5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Biqa, 'Al Janub,Ash Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal LubnanIndependence:22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under Frenchadministration)National holiday:Independence Day, 22 November (1943)Constitution:23 May 1926, amended a number of timesLegal system:mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; nojudicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age21 with elementary educationExecutive branch:chief of state:President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989); note - by custom, thepresident is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a SunniMuslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi'a Muslimhead of government:Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 22 October 1992)cabinet:Cabinet; chosen by the president in consultation with the members ofthe National AssemblyLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly:(Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab, French - Assemblee Nationale) Lebanon'sfirst legislative election in 20 years was held in the summer of 1992;the National Assembly is composed of 128 deputies, one-half Christianand one-half Muslim; its mandate expires in 1996Judicial branch:four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial casesand one court for criminal cases)Political parties and leaders:political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines;numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual politicalfigures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economicconsiderationsMember of:ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Riad TABBARAHchancery:2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 939-6300FAX:(202) 939-6324consulate(s) general:Detroit, New York, and Los AngelesUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Mark HAMBLEYmailing embassy:Antelias, Beirutaddress:P. O. Box 70-840, PSC 815, Box 2, Beirut; FPO AE 09836-0002telephone:[961] 417774 or 415802 through 415803, 402200, 403300FAX:[961] (1) 407-112Flag:three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and redwith a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band
@Lebanon, Economy
Overview:Since 1975 civil war has seriously damaged Lebanon's economicinfrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but endedLebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub.Following October 1990, however, a tentative peace has enabled thecentral government to begin restoring control in Beirut, collecttaxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Thebattered economy has also been propped up by a financially soundbanking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers.Family remittances, banking transactions, manufactured and farmexports, the narcotics trade, and international emergency aid are themain sources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of1991, industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showedsubstantial gains. The further rebuilding of the war-ravaged countrywas delayed in 1992 because of an upturn in political wrangling. InOctober 1992, Rafiq HARIRI was appointed Prime Minister. HARIRI, awealthy entrepreneur, has announced ambitious plans for Lebanon'sreconstruction which involve a substantial influx of foreign aid andinvestment. Progress on restoring basic services is limited. SincePrime Minister HARIRI's appointment, the most significant improvementlies in the stabilization of the Lebanese pound, which had gained over30% in value by yearend 1993. The year 1993 was marked by efforts ofthe new administration to encourage domestic and foreign investmentand to obtain additional international assistance.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $6.1 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:4.2% (1992)National product per capita:$1,720 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):35% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:35% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$990 millionexpenditures:$1.98 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)Exports:$925 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious and semipreciousmetals and jewelry, metals and metal productspartners:Saudi Arabia 21%, Switzerland 9.5%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 12%, US 5%Imports:$4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:Consumer goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum productspartners:Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3%External debt:$700 million (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 25% (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:1,300,000 kWproduction:3.413 billion kWhconsumption per capita:990 kWh (1992)Industries:banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals,jewelry, some metal fabricatingAgriculture:accounts for about one-third of GDP; principal products - citrusfruits, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep,goats; not self-sufficient in grainIllicit drugs:illicit producer of hashish and heroin for the international drugtrade; hashish production is shipped to Western Europe, the MiddleEast, and North and South America; increasingly a key locus of cocaineprocessing and traffickingEconomic aid:aid for Lebanon's reconstruction programs currently totals $1.3billion since October 1992, including a $175 million loan from theWorld BankCurrency:1 Lebanese pound (#L) = 100 piastersExchange rates:Lebanese pounds (#L) per US$1 - 1,713.00 (December 1993), 2,200.00(1992), 928.23 (1991), 695.09 (1990), 496.69 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Lebanon, Communications
Railroads:system in disrepair, considered inoperableHighways:total:7,300 kmpaved:6,200 kmunpaved:gravel 450 km; improved earth 650 kmPipelines:crude oil 72 km (none in operation)Ports:Beirut, Tripoli, Ra'Sil'ata, Juniyah, Sidon, Az Zahrani, Tyre, Jubayl,Shikka JadidahMerchant marine:63 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,268 GRT/399,054 DWT, bulk 4,cargo 39, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 2,livestock carrier 9, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2,specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 2, combination ore/oil 1Airports:total:9usable:7with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:3with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuildingstill underway; 325,000 telephones (95 telephones per 1,000 persons);domestic traffic carried primarily by microwave radio relay and asmall amount of cable; international traffic by satellite - 1 IndianOcean INTELSAT earth station and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstation (erratic operations), coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radiorelay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan, 3 submarinecoaxial cables; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 13 TV (numerous AMand FM stations are operated sporadically by various factions)
@Lebanon, Defense Forces
Branches:Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; including Army, Navy, and Air Force)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 827,267; fit for military service 514,291Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $271 million, 8.2% of GDP (1992 budget)
@Lesotho, Geography
Location:Southern Africa, an enclave of South AfricaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:30,350 sq kmland area:30,350 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:total 909 km, South Africa 909 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summersTerrain:mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountainsNatural resources:water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other mineralsLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:66%forest and woodland:0%other:24%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results inovergrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion; desertificationnatural hazards:subject to periods of droughtinternational agreements:party to - Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands;signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Law of the Sea, Marine DumpingNote:landlocked; surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project willcontrol, store, and redirect water to South AfricaPopulation:1,944,493 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.48% (1994 est.)Birth rate:34 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:9.19 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:69.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:62.14 yearsmale:60.32 yearsfemale:64.01 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:4.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)adjective:BasothoEthnic divisions:Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800Religions:Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefsLanguages:Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, XhosaLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1966)total population:59%male:44%female:68%Labor force:689,000 economically activeby occupation:86.2% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture;roughly 60% of active male labor force works in South Africa
@Lesotho, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of Lesothoconventional short form:Lesothoformer:BasutolandDigraph:LTType:constitutional monarchyCapital:MaseruAdministrative divisions:10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale'sHoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-TsekaIndependence:4 October 1966 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 4 October (1966)Constitution:2 April 1993Legal system:based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review oflegislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:21 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:King LETSIE III (since 12 November 1990)head of government:Prime Minister Ntsu MOKHEHLE (since 2 April 1993 )cabinet:CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament consisting of the Assembly or lower house whosemembers are chosen by popular election and the Senate or upper housewhose members consist of the 22 principal chiefs and 10 other membersappointed by the ruling party; election held in March 1993 (firstsince 1971); all 65 seats in the Assembly were won by the BCPJudicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealPolitical parties and leaders:Basotho National Party (BNP), Evaristus SEKHONYANA; BasutholandCongress Party (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE; National Independent Party (NIP),A. C. MANYELI; Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Vincent MALEBO; UnitedDemocratic Party, Charles MOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL),Jacob M. KENAMember of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Teboho KITLELIchancery:2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 797-5533 through 5536FAX:(202) 234-6815US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Karl HOFMANNembassy:address NA, Maserumailing address:P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesothotelephone:[266] 312-666FAX:[266] 310-116Flag:divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half iswhite bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossedspear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a greentriangle in the corner
@Lesotho, Economy
Overview:Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has no important naturalresources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture, lightmanufacturing, and remittances from laborers employed in South Africa(recently equal to about 45% of GDP). The great majority of householdsgain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor; alarge portion of the adult male workforce is employed in South Africanmines. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products to support themilling, canning, leather, and jute industries; other industriesinclude textile, clothing, and construction (in particular, a majorwater improvement project which will permit the sale of water to SouthAfrica). Industry's share of GDP rose from 6% in 1982 to 13% in 1991.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.8 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:2.4% (FY 93)National product per capita:$1,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):17% (FY93)Unemployment rate:at least 55% among adult males (1991 est.)Budget:revenues:$438 millionexpenditures:$430 million, including capital expenditures of $155 million (1994est.)Exports:$109 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:wool, mohair, wheat, cattle, peas, beans, corn, hides, skins, basketspartners:South Africa 42%, EC 28%, North and South America 25% (1991)Imports:$964 million (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles, machinery,medicines, petroleumpartners:South Africa 94%, Asia 3%, EC 1% (1991)External debt:$428 million (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 5% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDPElectricity:power supplied by South AfricaIndustries:food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, tourismAgriculture:accounts for 15% of GDP (1991 est.) and employs 60-70% of allhouseholds; exceedingly primitive, mostly subsistence farming andlivestock; principal crops corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barleyEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $268 million; US (1992),$10.3 million; US (1993 est.), $10.1 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $819 million;OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million; Communist countries(1970-89), $14 millionCurrency:1 loti (L) = 100 lisenteExchange rates:maloti (M) per US$1 - 3.4096 (January 1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497(1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989); note - theBasotho loti is at par with the South African randFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Lesotho, Communications
Railroads:2.6 km; owned, operated by, and included in the statistics of SouthAfricaHighways:total:7,215 kmpaved:572 kmunpaved:gravel, stabilized earth 2,337 km; improved earth 1,806 km; unimprovedearth 2,500 km (1988)Airports:total:28usable:28with permanent-surface runways:3with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2Telecommunications:rudimentary system consisting of a few landlines, a small microwavesystem, and minor radio communications stations; 5,920 telephones;broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstation
@Lesotho, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Lesotho Defense Force (RLDF; including Army, Air Wing), RoyalLesotho Mounted PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 438,096; fit for military service 236,324Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 13% of GDP (1990 est.)
@Liberia, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Coted'Ivoire and Sierra LeoneMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:111,370 sq kmland area:96,320 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than TennesseeLand boundaries:total 1,585 km, Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306kmCoastline:579 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:200 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to coldnights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showersTerrain:mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau andlow mountains in northeastNatural resources:iron ore, timber, diamonds, goldLand use:arable land:1%permanent crops:3%meadows and pastures:2%forest and woodland:39%other:55%Irrigated land:20 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:West Africa's largest tropical rain forest, subject to deforestation;soil erosion; loss of biodiversitynatural hazards:dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)international agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation
@Liberia, People
Population:2,972,766 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.33% (1994 est.)Birth rate:43.48 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:12.34 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:113.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:57.73 yearsmale:55.27 yearsfemale:60.25 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:6.36 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Liberian(s)adjective:LiberianEthnic divisions:indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru,Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella),Americo-Liberians 5% (descendants of repatriated slaves)Religions:traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10%Languages:English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language group about 20 locallanguages come from this groupLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:40%male:50%female:29%Labor force:510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economyby occupation:agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other14.2%note:non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management andengineering jobs; 52% of population of working age
@Liberia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Liberiaconventional short form:LiberiaDigraph:LIType:republicCapital:MonroviaAdministrative divisions:13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, GrandKru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, SinoeIndependence:26 July 1847National holiday:Independence Day, 26 July (1847)Constitution:6 January 1986Legal system:dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law forthe modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribalpractices for indigenous sectorSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:Chairman of the Council of State David KPOMAKPOR (since March 1994);election last held on 15 October 1985 (next scheduled to be heldSeptember 1994); results - Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%,Jackson DOE (LAP) 26.4%, other 22.7%; note - President Doe was killedby rebel forces on 9 September 1990cabinet:Cabinet; selected by the leaders of the major factions in the civilwarnote:a transitional coalition government was formed as part of a July 1993Cotonou Peace Treaty negotiated under UN auspices by the leaders ofthe major factions in the civil war; elections now scheduled forSeptember 1994Legislative branch:unicameral Transitional Legislative Assembly, the members of which areappointed by the leaders of the major factions in the civil warnote:the former bicameral legislature no longer exists and there is noassurance that it will ever be reconstitutedJudicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman;Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party(UP), Joseph KOFA, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), GabrielBaccus MATTHEWS, chairman; National Patriotic Party (NPP), CharlesTAYLOR, chairman; Liberian Peoples Party (LPP), Dusty WOLOKOLLIE,chairmanMember of:ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Konah K. BLACKETTchancery:5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone:(202) 723-0437 through 0440consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d' Affaires William P. TWADDELLembassy:111 United Nations Drive, Monroviamailing address:P. O. Box 100098, Mamba Point, Monrovia, or APO AE 09813telephone:[231] 222991 through 222994FAX:[231] 223710Flag:11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating withwhite; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in theupper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
@Liberia, Economy
Overview:Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of Liberia's economy,especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Businessmen havefled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Many willnot return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, anda climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer andexporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreignowned, had been small in scope. Political instability threatensprospects for economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000Liberian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. Thepolitical impasse between the interim government and rebel leaderCharles Taylor has prevented restoration of normal economic life,including the re-establishment of a strong central government witheffective economic development programs.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.3 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:1.5% (1988)National product per capita:$800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12% (1989)Unemployment rate:43% urban (1988)Budget:revenues:$242.1 millionexpenditures:$435.4 million, including capital expenditures of $29.5 million (1989est.)Exports:$505 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffeepartners:US, EC, NetherlandsImports:$394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.)commodities:rice, mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment,other foodstuffspartners:US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWASExternal debt:$2.1 billion (September 1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA% (1993-94); much industrial damage caused by factionalwarfareElectricity:capacity:410,000 kWproduction:750 million kWhconsumption per capita:275 kWh (1991)Industries:rubber processing, food processing, construction materials, furniture,palm oil processing, mining (iron ore, diamonds)Agriculture:accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fishing and forestry);principal products - rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava,palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, goats; not self-sufficient infood, imports 25% of rice consumptionIllicit drugs:increasingly a transshipment point for heroin and cocaineEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $665 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $870million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $25 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $77 millionCurrency:1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.00 (officially fixed rate since1940); unofficial parallel exchange rate of L$7 = US$1, January 1992(unofficial rate floats against the US dollar)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Liberia, Communications
Railroads:480 km total; 328 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 152 km 1.067-meternarrow gauge; all lines single track; rail systems owned and operatedby foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with LiberianGovernmentHighways:total:10,087 kmpaved:603 kmunpaved:gravel 5,171 km (includes 2323km of private roads of rubber and timberfirms, open to the public); earth 4,313 kmPorts:Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, Harper (or Cape Palmas)Merchant marine:1,595 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 56,923,236 GRT/97,692,316DWT, barge carrier 3, bulk 423, cargo 126, chemical 122, combinationbulk 30, combination ore/oil 64, container 112, liquefied gas 67, oiltanker 468, passenger 32, refrigerated cargo 61, roll-on/roll-offcargo 19, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier59note:a flag of convenience registry; all ships are foreign owned; the top 4owning flags are US 14%, Japan 13%, Norway 10%, and Hong Kong 8%Airports:total:59usable:41with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:4Telecommunications:telephone and telegraph service via radio relay network; main centeris Monrovia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station; most telecommunications services inoperabledue to insurgency movement