@Suriname, Economy
Overview:The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for15% of GDP and about 70% of export earnings. The economy has been introuble since the Dutch ended development aid in 1982. A drop in worldbauxite prices which started in the late 1970s and continued untillate 1986 was followed by the outbreak of a guerrilla insurgency inthe interior that crippled the important bauxite sector. Although theinsurgency has since ebbed and the bauxite sector recovered,Paramaribo has failed to initiate the economic reforms necessary tostabilize the economy or win renewed Dutch aid disbursements. Highinflation, high unemployment, widespread black market activity, andhard currency shortfalls continue to mark the economy.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.17 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-0.3% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$2,800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):109% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:16.5% (1990)Budget:revenues:$466 millionexpenditures:$716 million, including capital expenditures of $123 million (1989est.)Exports:$290 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananaspartners:Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1992)Imports:$250 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goodspartners:US 42%, Netherlands 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Brazil 5% (1992)External debt:$180 million (March 1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -5% (1991 est.); accounts for 27% of GDPElectricity:capacity:458,000 kWproduction:2.018 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,920 kWh (1992)Industries:bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, foodprocessing, fishingAgriculture:accounts for 10.4% of GDP and 25% of export earnings; paddy riceplanted on 85% of arable land and represents 60% of total farm output;other products - bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts,beef, chicken; shrimp and forestry products of increasing importance;self-sufficient in most foodsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $2.5 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5billionCurrency:1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 centsExchange rates:Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - 1.7850 (fixedrate); parallel rate 109 (January 1994)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Suriname, Communications
Railroads:166 km total; 86 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned, and 80 km1.435-meter standard gauge; all single trackHighways:total:8,300 kmpaved:500 kmunpaved:bauxite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 5,400 km; sand, clay2,400 kmInland waterways:1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels withdrafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterwaysPorts:Paramaribo, Moengo, Nieuw NickerieMerchant marine:3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,472 GRT/8,914 DWT, cargo 2,container 1Airports:total:46usable:38with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:international facilities good; domestic microwave system; 27,500telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 14 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 2Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
@Suriname, Defense Forces
Branches:National Army (including Navy which is company-size, small Air Forceelement), Civil PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 113,963; fit for military service 67,648Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Svalbard
Header Affiliation: (territory of Norway)
@Svalbard, Geography
Location:Nordic State, Northern Europe in the Arctic Ocean where the ArcticOcean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea meet, 445 kmnorth of NorwayMap references:Arctic Region, Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:62,049 sq kmland area:62,049 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than West Virginianote:includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)Land boundaries:0 kmCoastline:3,587 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russiaterritorial sea:4 nmInternational disputes:focus of maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norwayand RussiaClimate:arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, coldwinters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts ofSpitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the yearTerrain:wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coastclear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coastsNatural resources:coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fishLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100% (no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry)Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:ice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point forcoal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of thenortheastern coast inaccessibleinternational agreements:NANote:northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine mainislands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area
@Svalbard, People
Population:3,018 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:-3.5% (1994 est.)Birth rate:NADeath rate:NANet migration rate:NAInfant mortality rate:NALife expectancy at birth:NATotal fertility rate:NAEthnic divisions:Russian 64%, Norwegian 35%, other 1% (1981)Languages:Russian, NorwegianLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NA
@Svalbard, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:SvalbardDigraph:SVType:territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo,through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen;by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to NorwayCapital:LongyearbyenIndependence:none (territory of Norway)National holiday:NALegal system:NAExecutive branch:Chief of State:King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991)Head of Government:Governor Odd BLOMDAL (since NA); Assistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN(since NA September 1993)Member of:noneFlag:the flag of Norway is used
@Svalbard, Economy
Overview:Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rightsto exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. AlthoughUS, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, theonly companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlementson Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-ownedcoal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on theisland, runs many of the local services, and provides most of thelocal infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear,fox, and walrus.Budget:revenues:$13.3 millionexpenditures:$13.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)Electricity:capacity:21,000 kWproduction:45 million kWhconsumption per capita:13,860 kWh (1992)Currency:1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oereExchange rates:Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 7.4840 (January 1994), 7.0941(1993), 6.2145 (1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989)
@Svalbard, Communications
Highways:total:NApaved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:limited facilities - Ny-Alesund, Advent BayAirports:total:4usable:4with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:5 meteorological/radio stations; local telephone service; broadcaststations - 1 AM, 1 (2 repeaters) FM, 1 TV; satellite communicationwith Norwegian mainland
@Svalbard, Defense Forces
Note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
@Swaziland, Geography
Location:Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South AfricaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:17,360 sq kmland area:17,200 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than New JerseyLand boundaries:total 535 km, Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:Swaziland wants to reincorporate territory along the South Africanborder; Mbabane has asked South Africa to open negotiations on borderadjustmentsClimate:varies from tropical to near temperateTerrain:mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plainsNatural resources:asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold anddiamond deposits, quarry stone, and talcLand use:arable land:8%permanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:67%forest and woodland:6%other:NA%Irrigated land:620 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:limited access to safe drinking water presents human health risks;wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting;overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosionnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
@Swaziland, People
Population: 936,369 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.21% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 43.14 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 11.07 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 93.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.39 years male: 52.4 years female: 60.5 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.13 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3% Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40% Languages: English (official; government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986) total population: 67% male: 70% female: 65% Labor force: probably less than 100,000 by occupation: private sector about 65%, public sector 35%
@Swaziland, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of Swazilandconventional short form:SwazilandDigraph:WZType:monarchy; independent member of CommonwealthCapital:Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)Administrative divisions:4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, ShiselweniIndependence:6 September 1968 (from UK)National holiday:Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)Constitution:none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended on 12 April 1973;a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not beenformally presented to the peopleLegal system:based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts, Swazitraditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:noneExecutive branch:chief of state:King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)head of government:Prime Minister Prince Jameson Mbilini DLAMINI (since 12 November 1993)cabinet:Cabinet; designated by the monarchLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament is advisory and consists of an upper house orSenate and a lower house or House of Assembly; the 30 members of theSenate are appointed - 10 by the House of Assembly and 20 by the king;the members of the House are elected by popular vote; last electionheld in October 1993Judicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealPolitical parties and leaders:none; banned by the Constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA,SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Absalom Vusani MAMBAchancery:3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 362-6683 or 6685FAX:(202) 244-8059US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador John SPROTTembassy:Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabanemailing address:P. O. Box 199, Mbabanetelephone:[268] 46441 through 46445FAX:[268] 45959Flag:three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a largeblack and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated withfeather tassels, all placed horizontally
@Swaziland, Economy
Overview:The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which occupies morethan 60% of the population and contributes nearly 25% to GDP.Manufacturing, which includes a number of agroprocessing factories,accounts for another quarter of GDP. Mining has declined in importancein recent years; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted in 1978,and health concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugarand forestry products are the main earners of hard currency.Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique,Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it receives90% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its exports.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.3 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:1% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$2,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):11% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:15% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues:$342 millionexpenditures:$410 million, including capital expenditures of $130 million (1994est.)Exports:$632 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:sugar, edible concentrates, wood pulp, canned fruit, citruspartners:South Africa 50% (est.), EC countries, CanadaImports:$734 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products,foodstuffs, chemicalspartners:South Africa 90% (est.), Switzerland, UKExternal debt:$240 million (1992)Industrial production:growth rate 2.6% (1991); accounts for 40% of GDP (1989)Electricity:capacity:60,000 kWproduction:198 million kWh (1991)consumption per capita:180 kWh (1991)Industries:mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugarAgriculture:accounts for 23% of GDP and over 60% of labor force; mostlysubsistence agriculture; cash crops - sugarcane, cotton, maize,tobacco, rice, citrus fruit, pineapples; other crops and livestock -corn, sorghum, peanuts, cattle, goats, sheep; not self-sufficient ingrainEconomic aid:recipient:bilateral aid (1991) $35 million of which US disbursements $12million, UK disbursements $6 million, and Denmark $2 million;multilateral aid (1991) $24 million of which EC disbursements $8millionCurrency:1 lilangeni (E) = 100 centsExchange rates:emalangeni (E) per US$1 -3.4551 (March 1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497(1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989); note - the Swaziemalangeni is at par with the South African randFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Swaziland, Communications
Railroads:297 km (plus 71 km disused), 1.067-meter gauge, single trackHighways:total:2,853 kmpaved:510 kmunpaved:crushed stone, gravel, stabilized earth 1,230 km; improved earth 1,113kmAirports:total:23usable:21with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:system consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines and low-capacitymicrowave links; 17,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 6 FM,10 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Swaziland, Defense Forces
Branches:Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force, Royal Swaziland Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 204,608; fit for military service 118,380Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $22 million, NA% of GDP (FY93/94)
@Sweden, Geography
Location:Nordic State, Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, betweenNorway and FinlandMap references:Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:449,964 sq kmland area:410,928 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 2,205 km, Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 kmCoastline:3,218 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudysummers; subarctic in northTerrain:mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in westNatural resources:zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropowerpotentialLand use:arable land:7%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:2%forest and woodland:64%other:27%Irrigated land:1,120 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and theBaltic Seanatural hazards:ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf ofBothnia, can interfere with navigationinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;signed, but not ratified - Law of the SeaNote:strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
@Sweden, People
Population:8,778,461 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.52% (1994 est.)Birth rate:13.5 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:10.9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:2.62 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:78.25 yearsmale:75.47 yearsfemale:81.2 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Swede(s)adjective:SwedishEthnic divisions:white, Lapp (Sami), foreign born or first-generation immigrants 12%(Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)Religions:Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other3.5% (1987)Languages:Swedishnote:small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities; immigrants speak nativelanguagesLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:4.552 million (84% unionized,1992)by occupation:community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining andmanufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking,insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture,fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)
@Sweden, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of Swedenconventional short form:Swedenlocal long form:Konungariket Sverigelocal short form:SverigeDigraph:SWType:constitutional monarchyCapital:StockholmAdministrative divisions:24 provinces (lan, singular and plural); Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan,Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan,Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan,Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan,Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan,Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan,Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands LanIndependence:6 June 1809 (constitutional monarchy established)National holiday:Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 JuneConstitution:1 January 1975Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent PrincessVICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July1977)head of government:Prime Minister Carl BILDT (since 3 October 1991); Deputy PrimeMinister Bengt WESTERBERG (since NA)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the prime ministerLegislative branch:unicameralparliament (Riksdag):elections last held 15 September 1991 (next to be held NA September1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.6%, Moderate Party(conservative) 21.9%, Liberal People's Party 9.1%, Center Party 8.5%,Christian Democrats 7.1%, New Democracy 6.7%, Left Party (Communist)4.5%, Green Party 3.4%, other 1.2%; seats - (349 total) SocialDemocratic 138, Moderate Party (conservative) 80, Liberal People'sParty 33, Center Party 31, Christian Democrats 26, New Democracy 25,Left Party (Communist) 16; note - the Green Party has no seats in theRiksdag because it received less than the required 4% of the voteJudicial branch:Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen)Political parties and leaders:ruling four-party coalition consists of Moderate Party (conservative),Carl BILDT; Liberal People's Party, Bengt WESTERBERG; Center Party,Olof JOHANSSON; and the Christian Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON;Social Democratic Party, Ingvar CARLSSON; New Democracy Party, HarrietCOLLIANDER; Left Party (VP; Communist), Gudrun SCHYMAN; CommunistWorkers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leaderMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN,COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-6, G-8, G-9,G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,LORCS, MTRC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, UN,UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Carl Henrik LILJEGRENchancery:Suites 1200 and 715, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037telephone:(202) 944-5600FAX:(202) 342-1319consulate(s) general:Los Angeles and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Thomas SIEBERTembassy:Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholmmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[46] (8) 783-5300FAX:[46] (8) 661-1964Flag:blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; thevertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the styleof the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
@Sweden, Economy
Overview: Aided by a long period of peace and neutrality during World War I through World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy that is heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. In the last few years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by inflation, growing unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. Although Prime Minister BILDT's center-right minority coalition had hoped to charge ahead with free-market-oriented reforms, a skyrocketing budget deficit - almost 14% of GDP in FY94 projections - and record unemployment have forestalled many of the plans. Unemployment in 1993 is estimated at around 8% with another 5% in job training. Continued heavy foreign exchange speculation forced the government to cooperate in late 1992 with the opposition Social Democrats on two crisis packages - one a severe austerity pact and the other a program to spur industrial competitiveness - which basically set economic policy through 1997. In November 1992, Sweden broke its tie to the EC's ECU, and the krona has since depreciated about 25% against the dollar. The government hopes the boost in export competitiveness from the depreciation will help lift Sweden out of its 3-year recession. To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy, BILDT continues to propose cuts in welfare benefits, subsidies, defense, and foreign aid. Sweden continues to harmonize its economic policies with those of the EU in preparation for scheduled membership by early 1995, which will help to broaden European economic unity. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $153.7 billion (1993) National product real growth rate: -2.7% (1993) National product per capita: $17,600 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.2% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $45.1 billion expenditures: $73.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94) Exports: $49.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products partners: EC 55.8% (Germany 15%, UK 9.7%, Denmark 7.2%, France 5.8%), EFTA 17.4% (Norway 8.4%, Finland 5.1%), US 8.2%, Central and Eastern Europe 2.5% (1992) Imports: $42.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EC 53.6% (Germany 17.9%, UK 6.3%, Denmark 7.5%, France 4.9%), EFTA (Norway 6.6%, Finland 6%), US 8.4%, Central and Eastern Europe 3% (1992) External debt: $19.5 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.8% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 39,716,000 kW production: 142.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 16,560 kWh (1992) Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Agriculture: animal husbandry predominates, with milk and dairy products accounting for 37% of farm income; main crops - grains, sugar beets, potatoes; 100% self-sufficient in grains and potatoes; Sweden is about 50% self-sufficient in most products; farming accounted for 1.2% of GDP and 1.9% of jobs in 1990 Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics shipped via the CIS and Baltic states for the European market Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.3 billion Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 8.1255 (January 1994), 7.834 (1993), 5.8238 (1992), 6.0475 (1991) 5.9188 (1990), 6.4469 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Sweden, Communications
Railroads:12,084 km total; Swedish State Railways (SJ) 11,202 km - 10,819 km1.435-meter standard gauge, 6,955 km electrified and 1,152 km doubletrack; 182 km 0.891-meter gauge; 117 km rail ferry service;privately-owned railways 882 km - 511 km 1.435-meter standard gauge(332 km electrified) and 371 km 0.891-meter gauge (all electrified)Highways:total:205,000 kmpaved:69,754 km (including 936 km of expressways)unpaved:gravel 45,900 km; unimproved earth 38,060 km; NA 51,286 km (1990)Inland waterways:2,052 km navigable for small steamers and bargesPipelines:natural gas 84 kmPorts:Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Malmo, Stockholm;numerous secondary and minor portsMerchant marine:161 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,049,554 GRT/2,516,350 DWT,bulk 10, cargo 24, chemical tanker 25, combination ore/oil 1,container 2, oil tanker 30, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1,roll-on/roll-off cargo 39, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker4, vehicle carrier 13Airports:total:252usable:248with permanent-surface runways:138with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:11with runways 1,220-2,439 m:94Telecommunications:excellent domestic and international facilities; 8,200,000 telephones;mainly coaxial and multiconductor cables carry long-distance network;parallel microwave network carries primarily radio, TV and sometelephone channels; automatic system; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 360(mostly repeaters) FM, 880 (mostly repeaters) TV; 5 submarine coaxialcables; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1EUTELSAT
@Sweden, Defense Forces
Branches:Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 2,146,145; fit for military service 1,874,787; reachmilitary age (19) annually 55,262 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $5.2 billion, 2.6% of GDP (FY93/94)
@Switzerland, Geography
Location:Central Europe, between France and AustriaMap references:Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:41,290 sq kmland area:39,770 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than twice the size of New JerseyLand boundaries:total 1,852 km, Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowywinters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showersTerrain:mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a centralplateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakesNatural resources:hydropower potential, timber, saltLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:40%forest and woodland:26%other:23%Irrigated land:250 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:air pollution from vehicle emissions and open air burning; acid rain;water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; lossof biodiversitynatural hazards:subject to avalanches, landslides, flash floodsinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, AntarcticTreaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Law of theSeaNote:landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along withsoutheastern France and northern Italy, contains the highestelevations in Europe
@Switzerland, People
Population: 7,040,119 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 12.23 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 3.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.17 years male: 74.8 years female: 81.71 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Ethnic divisions: total population: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Swiss nationals: German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1% (1980) Languages: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other 4% note: figures for Swiss nationals only - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 3.31 million (904,095 foreign workers, mostly Italian) by occupation: services 50%, industry and crafts 33%, government 10%, agriculture and forestry 6%, other 1% (1989)
@Switzerland, Government
Names:conventional long form:Swiss Confederationconventional short form:Switzerlandlocal long form:Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German) Confederation Suisse(French) Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)local short form:Schweiz (German) Suisse (French) Svizzera (Italian)Digraph:SZType:federal republicCapital:BernAdministrative divisions:26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular -cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau,Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve,Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden,Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau,Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, ZurichIndependence:1 August 1291National holiday:Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August(1291)Constitution:29 May 1874Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of generalobligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Otto STICH (1994 calendar year; presidency rotatesannually); Vice President Kaspar VILLIGER (term runs concurrently withthat of president)cabinet:Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French - Censeil Federal, Italian- Consiglio Federale); elected by the Federal Assembly from ownmembersLegislative branch:bicameral Federal Assembly (German - Bundesversammlung, French -Assemblee Federale, Italian - Assemblea Federale)Council of States:(German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats, Italian - Consigliodegli Stati) elections last held throughout 1991 (next to be held NA1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total) FDP18, CVP 16, SVP 4, SPS 3, LPS 3, LdU 1, Ticino League 1National Council:(German - Nationalrat, French - Conseil National, Italian - ConsiglioNazionale) elections last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NAOctober 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200total) FDP 44, SPS 42, CVP 37, SVP 25, GPS 14, LPS 10, AP 8, LdU 6, SD5, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2, other 2Judicial branch:Federal Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bruno HUNZIKER, president; SocialDemocratic Party (SPS), Helmut HUBACHER, chairman; ChristianDemocratic People's Party (CVP), Eva SEGMULLER-WEBER, chairman; SwissPeople's Party (SVP), Hans UHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS),Peter SCHMID, president; Automobile Party (AP), DREYER; Alliance ofIndependents' Party (LdU), Dr. Franz JAEGER, president; SwissDemocratic Party (SD), NA; Evangelical People's Party (EVP), MaxDUNKI, president; Workers' Party (PdA; Communist), Jean SPIELMANN,general secretary; Ticino League, leader NA; Liberal Party (LPS),Gilbert COUTAU, presidentMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM(cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO,MTRC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN (observer),UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Carlo JAGMETTIchancery:2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 745-7900FAX:(202) 387-2564consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael C. POLTembassy:Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bernmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:[41] (31) 357-7011FAX:[41] (31) 357-7344branch office:Genevaconsulate(s) general:ZurichFlag:red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center thatdoes not extend to the edges of the flag
@Switzerland, Economy
Overview:Switzerland's economy - one of the most prosperous and stable in theworld - is nonetheless undergoing a painful adjustment after both theinflationary boom of the late-1980s and the electorate's rejection ofmembership in the European Economic Area in 1992. The Swiss finallyemerged from a three-year recession in mid-1993 and posted a -0.6% GDPgrowth for the year. After a three-year struggle with inflation, theSwiss central bank's tight monetary policies have begun to pay off.Inflation slowed to 3.3% in 1993 from about 4% in 1992 and is expectedto slow down further to 1.5% in 1994. Unemployment, however, willcontinue to be a problem over the near term. Swiss unemploymentreached 5.1% in 1993 and will likely remain at that level through 1994before declining in 1995. The voters' rejection of a referendum onmembership in the EEA, which was supported by most political,business, and financial leaders has raised doubts that the country canmaintain its preeminent prosperity and leadership in commercialbanking in the twenty-first century. Despite these problems, Swiss percapita output, general living standards, education and science, healthcare, and diet remain unsurpassed in Europe. The country has fewnatural resources except for the scenic natural beauty that has madeit a world leader in tourism. Management-labor relations remaingenerally harmonious.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $149.1 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:-0.6% (1993)National product per capita:$21,300 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:5.1% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$23.7 billionexpenditures:$26.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)Exports:$63 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products,foodstuffs, textiles and clothingpartners:Western Europe 63.1% (EC countries 56%, other 7.1%), US 8.8%, Japan3.4%Imports:$60.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993)commodities:agricultural products, machinery and transportation equipment,chemicals, textiles, construction materialspartners:Western Europe 79.2% (EC countries 72.3%, other 6.9%), US 6.4%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 0% (1993 est.)Electricity:capacity:17,710,000 kWproduction:56 billion kWhconsumption per capita:8,200 kWh (1992)Industries:machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instrumentsAgriculture:dairy farming predominates; less than 50% self-sufficient in food;must import fish, refined sugar, fats and oils (other than butter),grains, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meatIllicit drugs:money-laundering centerEconomic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $3.5 billionCurrency:1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, orcentesimiExchange rates:Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.715 (January1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990),1.6359 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Switzerland, Communications
Railroads:4,418 km total; 3,073 km are government owned and 1,345 km arenongovernment owned; the government network consists of 2,999 km1.435-meter standard gauge and 74 km 1.000-meter narrow gauge track;1,432 km double track, 99% electrified; the nongovernment networkconsists of 510 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, and 835 km 1.000-metergauge, 100% electrifiedHighways:total:71,106 kmpaved:71,106 km (including 1,502 km of expressways)Inland waterways:65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to Bodensee); 12navigable lakesPipelines:crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 kmPorts:Basel (river port)Merchant marine:23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 337,455 GRT/592,213 DWT, bulk10, cargo 4, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo2, specialized tanker 1Airports:total:70usable:69with permanent-surface runways:42with runways over 3,659 m:3with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,220-2,439 m:18Telecommunications:excellent domestic, international, and broadcast services; 5,890,000telephones; extensive cable and microwave networks; broadcast stations- 7 AM, 265 FM, 18 (1,322 repeaters) TV; communications satelliteearth station operating in the INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and IndianOcean) system
@Switzerland, Defense Forces
Branches:Army (Air Force is part of the Army), Frontier Guards, FortificationGuardsManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,853,075; fit for military service 1,589,288; reachmilitary age (20) annually 43,005 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion, 1.7% of GDP (1993)
@Syria, Geography
Location:Middle East, along the Mediterranean Sea, between Turkey and LebanonMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:185,180 sq kmland area:184,050 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than North Dakotanote:includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territoryLand boundaries:total 2,253 km, Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375km, Turkey 822 kmCoastline:193 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:41 nmterritorial sea:35 nmInternational disputes:separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Golan Heights isIsraeli occupied; Hatay question with Turkey; periodic disputes withIraq over Euphrates water rights; ongoing dispute over waterdevelopment plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers;Syrian troops in northern Lebanon since October 1976Climate:mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild,rainy winters (December to February) along coastTerrain:primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountainsin westNatural resources:petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore,rock salt, marble, gypsumLand use:arable land:28%permanent crops:3%meadows and pastures:46%forest and woodland:3%other:20%Irrigated land:6,700 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; waterpollution from dumping of untreated sewage and wastes from petroleumrefining; lack of safe drinking waternatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, EnvironmentalModificationNote:there are 40 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights (April 1994)
@Syria, People
Population:14,886,672 (July 1994 est.)note:in addition, there are 30,500 people living in the Israeli-occupiedGolan Heights—16,500 Arabs (15,000 Druze and 1,500 Alawites) and14,000 Jewish settlers (1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.74% (1994 est.)Birth rate:43.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:6.25 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:42.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:66.46 yearsmale:65.37 yearsfemale:67.61 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:6.65 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Syrian(s)adjective:SyrianEthnic divisions:Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%Religions:Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%,Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus,Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)Languages:Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, Frenchwidely understoodLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:64%male:78%female:51%Labor force:2.951 million (1989)by occupation:miscellaneous and government services 36%, agriculture 32%, industryand construction 32%; note - shortage of skilled labor (1984)
@Syria, Government
Names:conventional long form:Syrian Arab Republicconventional short form:Syrialocal long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyahlocal short form:Suriyahformer:United Arab Republic (with Egypt)Digraph:SYType:republic under leftwing military regime since March 1963Capital:DamascusAdministrative divisions:14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, AlLadhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr azZawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, TartusIndependence:17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under Frenchadministration)National holiday:National Day, 17 April (1946)Constitution:13 March 1973Legal system:based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971 see note); VicePresidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM, Rif'at al-ASAD, andMuhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984); election last held 2December 1991 (next to be held December 1998); results - PresidentHafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with 99.98%of the vote; note - President ASAD seized power in the November 1970coup, assumed presidential powers 22 February 1971, and was confirmedas president in the 12 March 1971 national electionshead of government:Prime Minister Mahmud ZU'BI (since 1 November 1987); Deputy PrimeMinister Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984); Deputy PrimeMinister Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981); Deputy Prime MinisterRashid AKHTARINI (since 4 July 1992)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralPeople's Council (Majlis al-Chaab):elections last held 22-23 May 1990 (next to be held NA May 1994);results - Ba'th 53.6%, ASU 3.2%, SCP 3.2%, Arab Socialist UnionistMovement 2.8%, ASP 2%, Democratic Socialist Union Party 1.6%,independents 33.6%; seats - (250 total) Ba'th 134, ASU 8, SCP 8, ArabSocialist Unionist Movement 7, ASP 5, Democratic Socialist Union Party4, independents 84; note - the People's Council was expanded to 250seats total prior to the May 1990 electionJudicial branch:Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, Court ofCassation, State Security CourtsPolitical parties and leaders:ruling party is the Arab Socialist Resurrectionist (Ba'th) Party; theProgressive National is dominated by Ba'thists but includesindependents and members of the Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP);Arab Socialist Union (ASU); Syrian Communist Party (SCP); ArabSocialist Unionist Movement; and Democratic Socialist Union PartyOther political or pressure groups:non-Ba'th parties have little effective political influence; Communistparty ineffective; conservative religious leaders; Muslim BrotherhoodMember of:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Walid MUALEMchancery:2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 232-6313FAX:(202) 234-9548US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSSembassy:Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street No. 2, Damascusmailing address:P. O. Box 29, Damascustelephone:[963] (11) 332-814, 332-315, 714-108, 330-788FAX:[963] (11) 247-938Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with twosmall green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in thewhite band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white bandand of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription)in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to theflag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
@Syria, Economy
Overview:Syria's state-dominated Ba'thist economy has benefited from the Gulfwar of early 1991, increased oil production, good weather, andeconomic deregulation. Economic growth averaged roughly 10% in1990-93. The Gulf war provided Syria an aid windfall of nearly $5billion dollars from Arab, European, and Japanese donors. Theseinflows more than offset Damascus's war-related costs and will helpSyria cover some of its debt arrears, restore suspended credit lines,and initiate selected military and civilian purchases. In 1992 thegovernment spurred economic development by loosening controls ondomestic and foreign investment while maintaining strict politicalcontrols. For the long run, Syria's economy is still saddled with alarge number of poorly performing public sector firms, and industrialproductivity remains to be improved. Another major long-term concernis the additional drain of upstream Euphrates water by Turkey when itsvast dam and irrigation projects are completed by mid-decade.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $81.7 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:7.6% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$5,700 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):16.3% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:7.5% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$7.13 billionexpenditures:$9.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $4 billion (1993 est.)Exports:$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:petroleum 53%, textiles 22%, cotton, fruits and vegetablespartners:EC 48%, former CEMA countries 24%, Arab countries 18% (1991)Imports:$4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:foodstuffs 21%, metal products 17%, machinery 15%partners:EC 37%, former CEMA countries 15%, US and Canada 10% (1991)External debt:$19.4 billion (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 21% (1991); accounts for 19% of GDP, including petroleumElectricity:capacity:3,205,000 kWproduction:11.9 billion kWhconsumption per capita:830 kWh (1992)Industries:textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining,petroleumAgriculture:accounts for 30% of GDP and one-third of labor force; all major crops(wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas) grown mainly onrain-watered land causing wide swings in production; animal products -beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk; not self-sufficient in grain orlivestock productsIllicit drugs:a transit country for Lebanese and Turkish refined cocaine going toEurope and heroin and hashish bound for regional and Western marketsEconomic aid:recipient:no US aid; aid from other countries (Western and Arab) totals $1.358billion (1993 est.); no Ex-Im, OPEC programs in place; almost $5billion in loans and grants from Arab and Western donors from 1990-92as a result of Gulf war stanceCurrency:1 Syrian pound (#S) = 100 piastresExchange rates:Syrian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 11.2 (official fixed rate), 26.6(blended rate used by the UN and diplomatic missions), 42.0(neighboring country rate - applies to most state enterprise imports),46.0 - 53.0 (offshore rate) (yearend 1993)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Syria, Communications
Railroads:1,998 km total; 1,766 km standard gauge, 232 km 1.050-meter (narrow)gaugeHighways:total:29,000 kmpaved:22,680 km (including 670 km of expressways) (1988)unpaved:6,320 kmInland waterways:870 km; minimal economic importancePipelines:crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 kmPorts:Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas, JablahMerchant marine:57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 151,519 GRT/243,910 DWT, bulk 7,cargo 48, vehicle carrier 2Airports:total:104usable:100with permanent-surface runways:24with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:21with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digitalupgrades, including fiber optic technology; 512,600 telephones (37telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 9 AM, 1 FM, 17 TV;satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Intersputnik;1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq,Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey
@Syria, Defense Forces
Branches:Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian ArabAir Defense ForcesManpower availability:males age 15-49 3,300,397; fit for military service 1,850,545; reachmilitary age (19) annually 155,569 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $2.2 billion, 6% of GDP (1992)
@Taiwan, Geography
Location:Eastern Asia, off the southeastern coast of China, between Japan andthe PhilippinesMap references:Asia, Oceania, Southeast AsiaArea:total area:35,980 sq kmland area:32,260 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than Maryland and Delaware combinednote:includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and QuemoyLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:1,448 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China,Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islandsoccupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai)claimed by China and TaiwanClimate:tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June toAugust); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all yearTerrain:eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rollingplains in westNatural resources:small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestosLand use:arable land:24%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:5%forest and woodland:55%other:15%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:water pollution from industrial emissions, untreated sewage; airpollution; contamination of drinking water suppliesnatural hazards:subject to earthquakes and typhoonsinternational agreements:signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation
@Taiwan, People
Population:21,298,930 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.96% (1994 est.)Birth rate:15.6 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-0.38 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:75.25 yearsmale:72.01 yearsfemale:78.66 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Chinese (singular and plural)adjective:ChineseEthnic divisions:Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%Religions:mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other2.5%Languages:Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialectsLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:86%male:93%female:79%Labor force:7.9 millionby occupation:industry and commerce 53%, services 22%, agriculture 15.6%, civiladministration 7% (1989)
@Taiwan, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Taiwanlocal long form:nonelocal short form:T'ai-wanDigraph:TWType:multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalizedin March, 1989Capital:TaipeiAdministrative divisions:some of the ruling party in Taipei claim to be the government of allChina; in keeping with that claim, the central administrativedivisions include 2 provinces (sheng, singular and plural) and 2municipalities* (shih, singular and plural) - Fu-chien (some 20offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu),Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and thePescadores islands); the more commonly referenced administrativedivisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singularand plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua,Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan,Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung,T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**,T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is atChung-hsing-hsin-ts'unnote:Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanizationNational holiday:National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary of the Revolution)Constitution:1 January 1947, amended in 1992, presently undergoing revisionLegal system:based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsSuffrage:20 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President LI Teng-hui (since 13 January 1988); Vice President LIYuan-zu (since 20 May 1990)head of government:Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIEN Chan (since 23 February1993); Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) HSU Li-teh(since 23 February 1993) presidential election last held 21 March 1990(next to be held NA March 1996); results - President LI Teng-hui wasreelected by the National Assembly; vice presidential election lastheld 21 March 1990 (next election will probably be a direct popularelection and will be held NA March 1996); results - LI Yuan-zu waselected by the National Assemblycabinet:Executive Yuan; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameral Legislative Yuan and unicameral National AssemblyLegislative Yuan:elections last held 19 December 1992 (next to be held near the end of1995); results - KMT 60%, DPP 31%, independents 9%; seats - (304total, 161 elected) KMT 96, DPP 50, independents 15National Assembly:elections - first National Assembly elected in November 1946 with asupplementary election in December 1986; second and present NationalAssembly elected in December 1991; seats - (403 total) KMT 318, DPP75, other 10; (next election to be held in 1997)Judicial branch:Judicial YuanPolitical parties and leaders:Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; DemocraticProgressive Party (DPP); Chinese New Party (CNP); Labor Party (LP)Other political or pressure groups:Taiwan independence movement, various environmental groupsnote:debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within themainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalizationand the increased representation of the opposition DemocraticProgressive Party in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate onthe island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence, bothwithin the DPP and the ruling Kuomintang, oppose the ruling party'straditional stand that the island will eventually unify with mainlandChina; the aims of the Taiwan independence movement includeestablishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; otherorganizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World UnitedFormosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan NationBuildingMember of:expelled from UN General Assembly and Security Council on 25 October1971 and withdrew on same date from other charter-designatedsubsidiary organs; expelled from IMF/World Bank group April/May 1980;seeking to join GATT; attempting to retain membership in INTELSAT;suspended from IAEA in 1972, but still allows IAEA controls overextensive atomic development, APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, IOC, COCOM(cooperating), WCLDiplomatic representation in US:none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people ofthe US are maintained through a private instrumentality, theCoordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA) withheadquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other UScitiesUS diplomatic representation:unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwanare maintained through a private institution, the American Institutein Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsin YiRoad, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, and in Kao-hsiung at #2Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, andthe American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building,Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548,telephone [886] (2) 720-1550Flag:red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearinga white sun with 12 triangular rays
@Taiwan, Economy
Overview:Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable governmentguidance of investment and foreign trade and partial governmentownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GNPhas averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Exportgrowth has been even faster and has provided the impetus forindustrialization. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GDP, down from35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major tradingcountries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily beingreplaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries.Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, thePhilippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor marketshas led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $224 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:6% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$10,600 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.2% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:1.5% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues:$30.3 billionexpenditures:$30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)Exports:$85 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:electrical machinery 19.7%, electronic products 19.6%, textiles 10.9%,footwear 3.3%, foodstuffs 1.0%, plywood and wood products 0.9% (1993est.)partners:US 27.6%, Hong Kong 21.7%, EC countries 15.2%, Japan 10.5% (1993 est.)Imports:$77.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:machinery and equipment 15.7%, electronic products 15.6%, chemicals9.8%, iron and steel 8.5%, crude oil 3.9%, foodstuffs 2.1% (1993 est.)partners:Japan 30.1%, US 21.7%, EC countries 17.6% (1993 est.)External debt:$620 million (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3.6% (1993 est.); accounts for more than 40% of GDPElectricity:capacity:18,382,000 kWproduction:98.5 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,718 kWh (1992)Industries:electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood,sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum refiningAgriculture:accounts for 4% of GNP and 16% of labor force (includes part-timefarmers); heavily subsidized sector; major crops - vegetables, rice,fruit, tea; livestock - hogs, poultry, beef, milk; not self-sufficientin wheat, soybeans, corn; fish catch increasing, reached 1.4 millionmetric tons in 1988Illicit drugs:an important heroin transit point; also a major drug money launderingcenterEconomic aid:recipient:US, including Ex-Im (FY46-82), $4.6 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 millionCurrency:1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 centsExchange rates:New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992), 25.748 (1991),27.108 (1990), 26.407 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June