@Seychelles, Geography
Location:Eastern Africa in the western Indian Ocean northeast of MadagascarMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:455 sq kmland area:455 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:491 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:claims Tromelin IslandClimate:tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (lateMay to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March toMay)Terrain:Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others arecoral, flat, elevated reefsNatural resources:fish, copra, cinnamon treesLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:18%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:18%other:60%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:no fresh water, catchments collect rain waternatural hazards:lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; shortdroughts possibleinternational agreements:party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WhalingNote:40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
@Seychelles, People
Population: 72,113 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.84% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 21.88 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -6.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.67 years male: 66.05 years female: 73.39 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychelles Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans) Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2% Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971) total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% Labor force: 27,700 (1985) by occupation: industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985) note: 57% of population of working age (1983)
@Seychelles, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Seychellesconventional short form:SeychellesDigraph:SEType:republicCapital:VictoriaAdministrative divisions:23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile,Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon,Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island),Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, MontBuxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis,TakamakaIndependence:29 June 1976 (from UK)National holiday:National Day, 18 June (1993) ( adoption of new constitution)Constitution:18 June 1993Legal system:based on English common law, French civil law, and customary lawSuffrage:17 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); election last held20- 23 July 1993; results - President France Albert RENE reelected by59.5% of votes, MANCHAM (PS party) 36.72%cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralPeople's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple):elections last held 20-23 July 1993; results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO3%; seats - (33 total, 22 elected) SPPF 22Judicial branch:Court of Appeal, Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), FranceAlbert RENE; Democratic Party (DP), Sir James MANCHAM; UnitedOpposition (UO) is a coalition of the following parties: SeychellesParty (PS), Wavel RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD),Jacques HONDOUL; Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS;;Other political or pressure groups:trade unions; Roman Catholic ChurchMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO(correspondent), NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Marc Michael Rogers MARENGOchancery:(temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017telephone:(212) 687-9766 or 9767FAX:(212) 922-9177US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Matthew F. MATTINGLYembassy:4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahemailing address:Box 148, Unit 62501, Victoria, Seychelles; APO AE 09815-2501telephone:(248) 25256FAX:(248) 25189Flag:three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; thewhite band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest
@Seychelles, Economy
Overview:In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industryemploys about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% ofhard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouragedforeign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. Atthe same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependenceon tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, andsmall-scale manufacturing.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $407 million (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:4% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$5,900 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:9% (1987)Budget:revenues:$172 millionexpenditures:$181 million, including capital expenditures of $48 million (1991est.)Exports:$47 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:fish, copra, cinnamon bark, petroleum products (re-exports)partners:UK 54% France 23%, Reunion 14%, (1991)Imports:$192 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco, beverages,machinery and transportation equipmentpartners:South Africa 13%, Singapore 12%, UK 12% (1991)External debt:$201 million (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 1.3% (1991); accounts for 12% of GDPElectricity:capacity:30,000 kWproduction:80 million kWhconsumption per capita:1,160 kWh (1991)Industries:tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir ropefactory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverageAgriculture:accounts for 5% of GDP, mostly subsistence farming; cash crops -coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla; other products - sweet potatoes, cassava,bananas; broiler chickens; large share of food needs imported;expansion of tuna fishing under wayEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $26 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1978-89), $315million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries(1970-89), $60 millionCurrency:1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 centsExchange rates:Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 5.2681 (January 1994), 5.1815(1993), 5.1220 (1992), 5.2893 (1991), 5.3369 (1990), 5.6457 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Seychelles, Communications
Highways:total:260 kmpaved:160 kmunpaved:crushed stone, earth 100 kmPorts:VictoriaMerchant marine:1 refrigerated cargo (over 1,000 GRT) totaling 1,827 GRT/2,170 DWTAirports:total:14usable:14with permanent-surface runways:8with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:direct radio communications with adjacent islands and African coastalcountries; 13,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV;1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; USAF tracking station
@Seychelles, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, National Guard, Marines, Coast Guard, Presidential ProtectionUnit, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 19,399; fit for military service 9,900Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $12 million, 4% of GDP (1990 est.)
@Sierra Leone, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea andLiberiaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:71,740 sq kmland area:71,620 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than South CarolinaLand boundaries:total 958 km, Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 kmCoastline:402 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:200 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winterdry season (December to April)Terrain:coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau,mountains in eastNatural resources:diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromiteLand use:arable land:25%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:31%forest and woodland:29%other:13%Irrigated land:340 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting oftimber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculturehave resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil wardepleting natural resourcesnatural hazards:dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (November to May)international agreements:party to - Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but notratified - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
@Sierra Leone, People
Population:4,630,037 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.62% (1994 est.)Birth rate:45.06 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:18.87 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:141.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:46.4 yearsmale:43.58 yearsfemale:49.3 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:5.96 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Sierra Leonean(s)adjective:Sierra LeoneanEthnic divisions:13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%),Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%Religions:Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%Languages:English (official; regular use limited to literate minority), Mendeprincipal vernacular in the south, Temne principal vernacular in thenorth, Krio the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of theFreetown area and is lingua francaLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write English, Merde, Temne, or Arabic(1990 est.)total population:21%male:31%female:11%Labor force:1.369 million (1981 est.)by occupation:agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.)note:only about 65,000 wage earners (1985); 55% of population of workingage
@Sierra Leone, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Sierra Leoneconventional short form:Sierra LeoneDigraph:SLType:military governmentCapital:FreetownAdministrative divisions:3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*Independence:27 April 1961 (from UK)National holiday:Republic Day, 27 April (1961)Constitution:1 October 1991; suspended following 19 April 1992 coupLegal system:based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:Chairman of the Supreme Council of State Capt. Valentine E. M.STRASSER (since 29 April 1992)cabinet:Council of Secretaries; responsible to the NPRCLegislative branch:unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April1992); Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in1995Judicial branch:Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992)Political parties and leaders:status of existing political parties is unknown following 29 April1992 coupMember of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatoryuser), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Thomas Kahota KARGBOchancery:1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 939-9261US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Lauralee M. PETERSembassy:Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetownmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[232] (22) 226-481FAX:[232] (22) 225-471Flag:three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and lightblue
@Sierra Leone, Economy
Overview:The economic and social infrastructure is not well developed.Subsistence agriculture dominates the economy, generating aboutone-third of GDP and employing about two-thirds of the workingpopulation. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP,consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of lightmanufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides animportant source of hard currency. In 1990-93, the government, withthe support of the IMF and the World Bank, has made substantialprogress toward structural reform and better fiscal management. Thegovernment readily met all IMF/WB targets in December 1993. The budgetdeficit had been dramatically reduced; the government workforce hadbeen cut by 25%; large amounts of domestic debt had been retired;arrears to the IMF, World Bank, and other creditors had been reduced.On the negative side, continued incursions by the Liberian rebels,bandits, and army deserters in southern and eastern Sierra Leone haveseverely strained the economy and threaten economically criticalregions of the country.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.5 billion (FY93 est.)National product real growth rate:NANational product per capita:$1,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):35% (1992)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$68 millionexpenditures:$118 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1992est.)Exports:$149 million (f.o.b., FY92)commodities:rutile 51%, bauxite 19%, diamonds 15%, coffee 5%partners:US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western EuropeImports:$131 million (c.i.f., FY92)commodities:foodstuffs 33%, machinery and equipment 19%, fuels 16%partners:US, EC countries, Japan, China, NigeriaExternal debt:$633 million (FY92 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -1.2% (FY91); accounts for 11% of GDPElectricity:capacity:85,000 kWproduction:185 million kWhconsumption per capita:45 kWh (1991)Industries:mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing(beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refineryAgriculture:accounts for over 30% of GDP and two-thirds of the labor force;largely subsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, palm kernels;harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fishcatch averages 53,000 metric tonsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $101 millionCurrency:1 leone (Le) = 100 centsExchange rates:leones (Le) per US$1 - 578.17 (January 1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44(1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990), 58.1395 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Sierra Leone, Communications
Railroads:84 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge mineral line is used on a limited basisbecause the mine at Marampa is closedHighways:total:7,400 kmpaved:1,150 kmunpaved:crushed stone, gravel 490 km; improved earth 5,760 kmInland waterways:800 km; 600 km navigable year roundPorts:Freetown, Pepel, BontheMerchant marine:1 cargo ship (over 1,000 GRT) totaling 5,592 GRT/9,107 DWTAirports:total:11usable:7with permanent-surface runways:3with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:marginal telephone and telegraph service; national microwave radiorelay system unserviceable at present; 23,650 telephones; broadcaststations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Sierra Leone, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Police, Security ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,006,280; fit for military service 487,158Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $6 million, 0.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
@Singapore, Geography
Location:Southeastern Asia, between Malaysia and IndonesiaMap references:Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:632.6 sq kmland area:622.6 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:193 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:12 nmterritorial sea:3 nmInternational disputes:two islands in dispute with MalaysiaClimate:tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons;thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)Terrain:lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchmentarea and nature preserveNatural resources:fish, deepwater portsLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:7%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:5%other:84%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:industrial pollution; limited water supply; limited land availabilitypresents waste disposal problemsnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
@Singapore, People
Population:2,859,142 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.12% (1994 est.)Birth rate:16.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:5.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.95 yearsmale:73.17 yearsfemale:78.94 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.88 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Singaporean(s)adjective:SingaporeEthnic divisions:Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3%Religions:Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist,ConfucianistLanguages:Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official),English (official)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:88%male:93%female:84%Labor force:1,485,800by occupation:financial, business, and other services 30.2%, manufacturing 28.4%,commerce 22.0%, construction 9.0%, other 10.4% (1990)
@Singapore, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Singaporeconventional short form:SingaporeDigraph:SNType:republic within CommonwealthCapital:SingaporeAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)National holiday:National Day, 9 August (1965)Constitution:3 June 1959, amended 1965; based on preindependence State of SingaporeConstitutionLegal system:based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:20 years of age; universal and compulsoryExecutive branch:chief of state:President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993) election last held28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1997); results - PresidentONG was elected with 59% of the vote in the country's first popularelection for presidenthead of government:Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy PrimeMinister LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president, responsible to parliamentLegislative branch:unicameralParliament:elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held 31 August 1996);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP3, WP 1Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:government:People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary generalopposition:Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; Singapore Democratic Party(SDP), CHIAM See Tong; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA;Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NAMember of:APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, COCOM (cooperating), CP, ESCAP, G-77, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNIKOM,UNTAC, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHANchancery:1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 667-7555FAX:(202) 265-7915US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant)embassy:30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617mailing address:FPO AP 96534telephone:[65] 338-0251FAX:[65] 338-5010Flag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist sideof the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portionis toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointedstars arranged in a circle
@Singapore, Economy
Overview:Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service andmanufacturing sectors and excellent international trading linksderived from its entrepot history. The economy registered nearly 10%growth in 1993 while stemming inflation. The construction andfinancial services industries and manufacturers of computer-relatedcomponents have led economic growth. Rising labor costs continue to bea threat to Singapore's competitiveness, but there are indicationsthat productivity is keeping up. In applied technology, per capitaoutput, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributesof a developed country.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $42.4 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:9.9% (1993)National product per capita:$15,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.4% (1993)Unemployment rate:2.7% (1993)Budget:revenues:$11.9 billionexpenditures:$10.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.9 billion (1994est.)Exports:$61.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products,telecommunications equipmentpartners:US 21%, Malaysia 12%, Hong Kong 8%, Japan 8%, Thailand 6% (1992)Imports:$66.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffspartners:Japan 21%, US 16%, Malaysia 15%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Taiwan 4%External debt:$0; Singapore is a net creditorIndustrial production:growth rate 2.3% (1992); accounts for 28% of GDPElectricity:capacity:4,860,000 kWproduction:18 billion kWhconsumption per capita:6,420 kWh (1992)Industries:petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubberprocessing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, shiprepair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnologyAgriculture:occupies a position of minor importance in the economy;self-sufficient in poultry and eggs; must import much of other food;major crops - rubber, copra, fruit, vegetablesIllicit drugs:transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, WesternEurope, and the Third World; also a major money-laundering centerEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1billionCurrency:1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.6032 (January 1994), 1.6158(1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Singapore, Communications
Railroads:38 km of 1.000-meter gaugeHighways:total:2,644 km (1985)paved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:SingaporeMerchant marine:533 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,656,067 GRT/17,009,400 DWT,bulk 87, cargo 125, chemical tanker 14, combination bulk 3,combination ore/oil 8, container 80, liquefied gas 4, livestockcarrier 1, oil tanker 179, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 3,roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 20note:many Singapore flag ships are foreign ownedAirports:total:10usable:10with permanent-surface runways:10with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:good domestic facilities; good international service; good radio andtelevision broadcast coverage; 1,110,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 13 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; submarine cables extend to Malaysia(Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines;satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific OceanINTELSAT
@Singapore, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 857,824; fit for military service 630,055Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, 6% of GDP (1993 est.)
@Slovakia, Geography
Location:Central Europe, between Hungary and PolandMap references:Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of theWorldArea:total area:48,845 sq kmland area:48,800 sq kmcomparative area:about twice the size of New HampshireLand boundaries:total 1,355 km, Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km,Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues withCzech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federalpropertyClimate:temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid wintersTerrain:rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in thesouthNatural resources:brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper andmanganese ore; saltLand use:arable land:NA%permanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:NA%forest and woodland:NA%other:NA%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:acid rain damaging forestsnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Biodiversity, Climate ChangeNote:landlocked
@Slovakia, People
Population:5,403,505 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.53% (1994 est.)Birth rate:14.55 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:9.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:72.81 yearsmale:68.66 yearsfemale:77.2 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.96 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Slovak(s)adjective:SlovakEthnic divisions:Slovak 85.6%, Hungarian 10.8%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figuresunderreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 ormore), Czech 1.1%, Ruthenian 15,000, Ukrainian 13,000, Moravian 6,000,German 5,000, Polish 3,000Religions:Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%,other 17.5%Languages:Slovak (official), HungarianLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:2.484 millionby occupation:industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communicationand other 44.3% (1990)
@Slovakia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Slovak Republicconventional short form:Slovakialocal long form:Slovenska Republikalocal short form:SlovenskoDigraph:LOType:parliamentary democracyCapital:BratislavaAdministrative divisions:4 departments (kraje, singular - Kraj) Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky,Stredoslovensky, VychodoslovenskyIndependence:1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)National holiday:Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, August 29 (1944)Constitution:ratified 1 September 1992; fully effective 1 January 1993Legal system:civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with theobligations of Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theorySuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993); election last held 8February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Michal KOVACelected by the National Councilhead of government:Prime Minister Jozef MORAVCIK (since 16 March 1994)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of the primeministerLegislative branch:unicameralNational Council (Narodni Rada):elections last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held 31September-1October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats- (150 total) Movement for a Democratic Slovakia 55, Party of theDemocratic Left 28, Christian Democratic Movement 18, Slovak NationalParty 9, National Democratic Party 5, Hungarian Christian DemocraticMovement/Coexistence 14, Democratic Union of Slovakia 16, independents5Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Partyof the Democratic Left, Peter WEISS, chairman; Christian DemocraticMovement, Jan CARNOGURSKY; Slovak National Party, Jan SLOTA, chairman;Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, Vojtech BUGAR; NationalDemocratic Party - New Alternative, Ludovit CERNAK, chairman;Democratic Union of Slovakia, Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman; CoexistenceMovement, Miklos DURAY, chairmanOther political or pressure groups:Green Party; Social Democratic Party in Slovakia; Freedom Party;Slovak Christian Union; Hungarian Civic PartyMember of:BIS, CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE,FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN (as of 8 January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador-designate Bravislav LICHARDUSchancery:(temporary) Suite 330, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 965-5161FAX:(202) 965-5166US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassdor Theodore RUSSELLembassy:Hviezdoslavovo Namesite 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[42] (7) 330-861FAX:[42] (7) 335-439Flag:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and redsuperimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoistside; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
@Slovakia, Economy
Overview:The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent states - theCzech Republic and Slovakia - on 1 January 1993 has complicated thetask of moving toward a more open and decentralized economy. The oldCzechoslovakia, even though highly industrialized by East Europeanstandards, suffered from an aging capital plant, lagging technology,and a deficiency in energy and many raw materials. In January 1991,approximately one year after the end of communist control of EasternEurope, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic launched a sweepingprogram to convert its almost entirely state-owned and controlledeconomy to a market system. In 1991-92 these measures resulted inprivatization of some medium- and small-scale economic activity andthe setting of more than 90% of prices by the market - but at a costin inflation, unemployment, and lower output. For Czechoslovakia as awhole inflation in 1991 was roughly 50% and output fell 15%. In 1992in Slovakia, inflation slowed to an estimated 8.7% and the estimatedfall in GDP was a more moderate 7%. In 1993 GDP fell roughly 5%, withthe disruptions from the separation from the Czech lands probablyaccounting for half the decline; exports to the Czech Republic fellabout 35%. Bratislava adopted an austerity program in June anddevalued its currency 10% in July. In 1993, inflation rose anestimated 23%, unemployment topped 14%, and the budget deficitexceeded the IMF target of $485 million by over $200 million. Byyearend 1993 Bratislava estimated that 29% of GDP was being producedin the private sector. The forecast for 1994 is gloomy; Bratislavaoptimistically projects no growth in GDP, 17% unemployment, a $425million budget deficit, and 12% inflation. At best, if Slovakia stayson track with the IMF, GDP could fall by only 2-3% in 1994 andunemployment could be held under 18%, but a currency devaluation willlikely drive inflation above 15%.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $31 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-5% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$5,800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):23% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:14.4% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$4.5 billionexpenditures:$5.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)Exports:$5.13 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, andmetals; agricultural productspartners:Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary,Italy, France, US, UKImports:$5.95 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:machinery and transport equipment; fuels and lubricants; manufacturedgoods; raw materials; chemicals; agricultural productspartners:Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland,Hungary, UK, ItalyExternal debt:$3.2 billion hard currency indebtedness (31 December 1993)Industrial production:growth rate -13.5% (December 1993 over December 1992)Electricity:capacity:6,800,000 kWproduction:24 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,550 kWh (1992)Industries:brown coal mining, chemicals, metal-working, consumer appliances,fertilizer, plastics, armamentsAgriculture:largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop andlivestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops,fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest productsIllicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for WesternEuropeEconomic aid:donor:the former Czechoslovakia was a donor - $4.2 billion in bilateral aidto non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89)Currency:1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierovExchange rates:koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 32.9 (December 1993), 28.59 (December 1992),28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989); note - valuesbefore 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rateFiscal year:calendar year
@Slovakia, Communications
Railroads:3,669 km total (1990)Highways:total:17,650 km (1990)paved:NAunpaved:NAInland waterways:NA kmPipelines:petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 kmPorts:maritime outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia(Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principalriver ports are Komarno on the Danube and Bratislava on the DanubeMerchant marine:total 19 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 309,502 GRT/521,997 DWT, bulk13, cargo 6note:most under the flag of Saint VincentAirports:total:46usable:32with permanent-surface runways:7with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:6with runways 1,060-2,439 m:18note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:NA
@Slovakia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad UnitsManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,426,290; fit for military service 1,095,604; reachmilitary age (18) annually 48,695 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:8.2 billion koruny, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion ofdefense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange ratecould produce misleading results
@Slovenia, Geography
Location:Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenAustria and CroatiaMap references:Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of theWorldArea:total area:20,296 sq kmland area:20,296 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than New JerseyLand boundaries:total 1,045 km, Austria 262 km, Croatia 501 km, Italy 199 km, Hungary83 kmCoastline:32 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic and over someborder areas; the border issue is currently under negotiationClimate:Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild tohot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the eastTerrain:a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain regionadjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers tothe eastNatural resources:lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silverLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:20%forest and woodland:45%other:23%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; heavy metalsand toxic chemicals along coastal waters; forest damage near Koperfrom air pollution originating at metallurgical and chemical plantsnatural hazards:subject to flooding and earthquakesinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but notratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
@Slovenia, People
Population: 1,972,227 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.23% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 11.81 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.36 years male: 70.49 years female: 78.44 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%, other 3% Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 786,036 by occupation: agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%
@Slovenia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form:Slovenialocal long form:Republika Slovenijelocal short form:SlovenijaDigraph:SIType:emerging democracyCapital:LjubljanaAdministrative divisions:60 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina) Ajdovscina, Brezice,Celje, Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd, Gornja Radgona, Grosuplje,Hrastnik Lasko, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik,Kocevje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Lenart, Lendava, Litija,Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center, Ljubljana-Moste-Polje,Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik, Ljutomer, Logatec, Maribor,Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ormoz,Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje Ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne NaKoroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur Pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, SkofjaLoka, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, SmarjePri Jelsah, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika,Zagorje Ob Savi, ZalecIndependence:25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)National holiday:Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)Constitution:adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991Legal system:based on civil law systemSuffrage:16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990); election last held 6December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Milan KUCANreelected by direct popular votehead of government:Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992); Deputy PrimeMinister Lojze PETERLE (since NA)cabinet:Council of MinistersLegislative branch:bicameral National AssemblyState Assembly:elections last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (total 90) LDS 22, SKD 15,United List (former Communists and allies) 14, Slovene National Party12, SLS 10, Democratic Party 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4, Hungarian minority 1,Italian minority 1State Council:will become operational after next election in 1996; in the electionof 6 December 1992 40 members were elected to represent local andsocioeconomic interestsJudicial branch:Supreme Court, Constitutional CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Slovene Christian Democrats (SKD), Lozje PETERLE, chairman; LiberalDemocratic (LDS), Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Social-Democratic Party ofSlovenia (SDSS), Joze PUCNIK, chairman; Socialist Party of Slovenia(SSS), Viktor ZAKELJ, chairman; Greens of Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT,chairman; National Democratic, Rajko PIRNAT, chairman; DemocraticPeoples Party, Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; Reformed Socialists (formerCommunist Party), Ciril RIBICIC, chairman; United List (formerCommunists and allies); Slovene National Party, leader NA; DemocraticParty, Igor BAVCAR; Slovene People's Party (SLS), Ivan OMANnote:parties have changed as of the December 1992 electionsOther political or pressure groups:noneMember of:CCC, CE, CEI, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU,NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Ernest PETRICchancery:1525 New Hampshir Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20036telephone:(202) 667-5363consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador E. Allan WENDTembassy:P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljanamailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[386] (61) 301-427/472/485FAX:[386] (61) 301-401Flag:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with theSlovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against ablue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue linesdepicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sidedstars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in theupper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
@Slovenia, Economy
Overview:Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the former Yugoslavrepublics, with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslavaverage, indeed not far below the levels in neighboring Austria andItaly. Because of its strong ties to Western Europe and the smallscale of damage during its brief fight for independence fromYugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among the formerYugoslav republics for economic recovery over the next few years. Thedissolution of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-termdislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example,overall industrial production has fallen 26% since 1990; particularlyhard hit have been the iron and steel, machine-building, chemical, andtextile industries. Meanwhile, the continued fighting in other formerYugoslav republics has led to further destruction of long-establishedtrade channels and to an influx of tens of thousands of Croatian andBosnian refugees. The key program for breaking up and privatizingmajor industrial firms was established in late 1992. Despite slowprogress in privatization Slovenia has reasonable prospects for anupturn in 1994. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors areSlovenia's comparatively well-educated work force, its developedinfrastructure, and its Western business attitudes, but instability inCroatia is a deterrent. Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy,and a little Western investment would go a long way.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $15 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:0% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$7,600 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):22.9% (1993)Unemployment rate:15.5% (1993)Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 38%, other manufactured goods 44%,chemicals 9%, food and live animals 4.6%, raw materials 3%, beveragesand tobacco less than 1% (1992)partners:Germany 27%, Croatia 14%, Italy 13%, France 9% (1992)Imports:$5.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactured goods 26.7%,chemicals 14.5%, raw materials 9.4%, fuels and lubricants 7%, food andlive animals 6% (1992)partners:Germany 23%, Croatia 14%, Italy 14%, France 8%, Austria 8% (1992)External debt:$1.9 billionIndustrial production:growth rate -2.8% (1993); accounts for 30% of GDPElectricity:capacity:2,900,000 kWproduction:10 billion kWhconsumption per capita:5,090 kWh (1992)Industries:ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction androlled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (includingmilitary electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, woodproducts, textiles, chemicals, machine toolsAgriculture:accounts for 5% of GDP; dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle)and dairy farming; main crops - potatoes, hops, hemp, flax; an exportsurplus in these commodities; Slovenia must import many otheragricultural products and has a negative overall trade balance in thissectorIllicit drugs:NAEconomic aid:$NACurrency:1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotinsExchange rates:tolars (SIT) per US$1 - 112 (June 1993), 28 (January 1992)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Slovenia, Communications
Railroads:1,200 km, 1.435 m gauge (1991)Highways:total:14,553 kmpaved:10,525 kmunpaved:gravel 4,028 kmInland waterways:NAPipelines:crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 kmPorts:coastal - KoperMerchant marine:19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 309,502 GRT/521,997 DWTcontrolled by Slovenian owners, bulk 13, cargo 6note:most under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; no shipsremain under the Slovenian flagAirports:total:14usable:13with permanent-surface runways:6with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2Telecommunications:130,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 7 TV; 370,000radios; 330,000 TVs
@Slovenia, Defense Forces
Branches:Slovene Defense ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 513,885; fit for military service 411,619; reachmilitary age (19) annually 15,157 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:13.5 billion tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1993); note - conversion of themilitary budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate couldproduce misleading results
@Solomon Islands, Geography
Location:Oceania, Melanesia, just east of Papua New Guinea in the South PacificOceanMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:28,450 sq kmland area:27,540 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:5,313 kmMaritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weatherTerrain:mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atollsNatural resources:fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickelLand use:arable land:1%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:1%forest and woodland:93%other:4%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; limited arable landnatural hazards:subject to typhoons, but they are rarely destructive; geologicallyactive region with frequent earth tremorsinternational agreements:party to - Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:located just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean
@Solomon Islands, People
Population:385,811 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.43% (1994 est.)Birth rate:38.93 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:4.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:27.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:70.48 yearsmale:68.05 yearsfemale:73.03 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:5.73 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Solomon Islander(s)adjective:Solomon IslanderEthnic divisions:Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%,Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%Religions:Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, otherProtestant 5%Languages:Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca, Englishspoken by 1%-2% of populationnote:120 indigenous languagesLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:23,448 economically activeby occupation:agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%, services 25%, construction,manufacturing, and mining 7.0%, commerce, transport, and finance 4.7%(1984)
@Solomon Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Solomon Islandsformer:British Solomon IslandsDigraph:BPType:parliamentary democracyCapital:HoniaraAdministrative divisions:7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel,Makira, Malaita, Temotu, WesternIndependence:7 July 1978 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 7 July (1978)Constitution:7 July 1978Legal system:common lawSuffrage:21 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral Sir George LEPPING (since 27 June 1989, previously acted asgovernor general since 7 July 1988)head of government:Prime Minister Francis Billy HILLY (since June 1993); Deputy PrimeMinister Francis SAEMALA (since June 1993)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the primeminister from members of parliamentLegislative branch:unicameralNational Parliament:elections last held NA May 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) National Unity Group21, PAP 8, National Action Party 6, LP 4, UP 3, Christian Fellowship2, NFP 1, independents 2Judicial branch:High CourtPolitical parties and leaders:People's Alliance Party (PAP); United Party (UP), leader NA; SolomonIslands Liberal Party (SILP), Bartholemew ULUFA'ALU; Nationalist Frontfor Progress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKU;National Action Party, leader NA; Christian Fellowship, leader NA;National Unity Group, Solomon MAMALONIMember of:ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPARTECA, SPC,SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant); ambassador traditionally resides in Honiara (SolomonIslands)US diplomatic representation:embassy closed July 1993; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea isaccredited to the Solomon IslandsFlag:divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-sidecorner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five whitefive-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle isgreen
@Solomon Islands, Economy
Overview:The bulk of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing,and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufacturedgoods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich inundeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.The economy suffered from a severe cyclone in mid-1986 that causedwidespread damage to the infrastructure. In 1993, the government wasworking with the IMF to develop a structural adjustment program toaddress the country's fiscal deficit.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $900 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:1.8% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$2,500 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):13% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$48 millionexpenditures:$107 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1991est.)Exports:$84 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:fish 46%, timber 31%, palm oil 5%, cocoa, coprapartners:Japan 39%, UK 23%, Thailand 9%, Australia 5%, US 2% (1991)Imports:$110 million (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:plant and machinery manufactured goods, food and live animals, fuelpartners:Australia 34%, Japan 16%, Singapore 14%, NZ 9%External debt:$128 million (1988 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -3.8% (1991 est.); accounts for 5% of GDPElectricity:capacity:21,000 kWproduction:39 million kWhconsumption per capita:115 kWh (1990)Industries:copra, fish (tuna)Agriculture:including fishing and forestry, accounts for 31% of GDP; mostlysubsistence farming; cash crops - cocoa, beans, coconuts, palmkernels, timber; other products - rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit,cattle, pigs; not self-sufficient in food grains; 90% of the totalfish catch of 44,500 metric tons was exported (1988)Economic aid:recipient:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1980-89), $250 millionCurrency:1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 3.2383 (November 1993),2.9281 (1992), 2.7148 (1991), 2.5288 (1990), 2.2932 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Solomon Islands, Communications
Highways:total:1,300 kmpaved:30 kmunpaved:gravel 290 km; earth 980 kmnote:in addition, there are 800 km of private logging and plantation roadsof varied construction (1982)Ports:Honiara, Ringi CoveAirports:total:31usable:30with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:4Telecommunications:3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 PacificOcean INTELSAT earth station
@Solomon Islands, Defense Forces
Branches:Police ForceDefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Somalia, Geography
Location:Eastern Africa, bordering the northwestern Indian Ocean, south of theArabian PeninsulaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:637,660 sq kmland area:627,340 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than TexasLand boundaries:total 2,366 km, Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 kmCoastline:3,025 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:200 nmInternational disputes:southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is a ProvisionalAdministrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the OgadenClimate:desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), cooler southwestmonsoon (May to October); irregular rainfall; hot, humid periods(tangambili) between monsoonsTerrain:mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in northNatural resources:uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum,bauxite, copper, saltLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:46%forest and woodland:14%other:38%Irrigated land:1,600 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:use of contaminated water contributes to health problems;deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards:recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summerinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea; signed, but notratified - Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test BanNote:strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Babel Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
@Somalia, People
Population: 6,666,873 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.24% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 13.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 125.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.75 years male: 54.49 years female: 55.01 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.25 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali Ethnic divisions: Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000, Europeans 3,000, Asians 800 Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 24% male: 36% female: 14% Labor force: 2.2 million (very few are skilled laborers) by occupation: pastoral nomad 70%, agriculture, government, trading, fishing, handicrafts, and other 30% note: 53% of population of working age (1985)
@Somalia, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Somaliaformer:Somali RepublicDigraph:SOType:noneCapital:MogadishuAdministrative divisions:18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir,Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose,Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool,Togdheer, Woqooyi GalbeedIndependence:1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which becameindependent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, whichbecame independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)National holiday:NAConstitution:25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979Legal system:NASuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:Somalia has no functioning government; presidential elections lastheld 23 December 1986 (next to be held NA); results - President SIADwas reelected without oppositionLegislative branch:unicameral People's AssemblyPeople's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga):elections last held 31 December 1984 (next to be held NA); results -SRSP was the only party; seats - (177 total, 171 elected) SRSP 171;note - the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Maj. Gen.Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the provisional government haspromised that a democratically elected government will be establishedJudicial branch:Supreme Court (non-functioning)Political parties and leaders:the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the former regime on 27January 1991; formerly the only party was the Somali RevolutionarySocialist Party (SRSP), headed by former President and Commander inChief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD BarreOther political or pressure groups:numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for powerMember of:ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM(observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991US diplomatic representation:the US Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated and closed indefinitely inJanuary 1991; United States Liaison Office (USLO) opened in December1992Flag:light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; designbased on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trustterritory)
@Somalia, Economy
Overview:One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia hasfew resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated bythe civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, withlivestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of exportearnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock fortheir livelihoods make up more than half of the population. Cropproduction generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the workforce. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn aregrown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based onthe processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10%of GDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-93 has resulted ina substantial drop in output, with widespread famine.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.4 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):210% (1989)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$58 million (1990 est.)commodities:bananas, live animals, fish, hidespartners:Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986)Imports:$249 million (1990 est.)commodities:petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materialspartners:US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986)External debt:$1.9 billion (1989)Industrial production:growth rate 0% (1990); accounts for 4% of GDPElectricity:capacity:former 75,000 kW is almost completely shut down by the destruction ofthe civil war; UN, relief organizations, and foreign military units inSomalia use their own portable power systemsproduction:NAconsumption per capita:NAIndustries:a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleumrefining; probably shut down by the widespread destruction during thecivil warAgriculture:dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats);crops - bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; notself-sufficient in food; distribution of food disrupted by civilstrife; fishing potential largely unexploitedEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $639 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.8billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.1 billion; Communistcountries (1970-89), $336 millionCurrency:1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 centsExchange rates:Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 - 2,616 (1 July 1993), 4,200(December 1992), 3,800.00 (December 1990), 490.7 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year