@The Bahamas, Government
Names:conventional long form:Commonwealth of The Bahamasconventional short form:The BahamasDigraph:BFType:commonwealthCapital:NassauAdministrative divisions:21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma,Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, HarbourIsland, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour,Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, RaggedIsland, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum CayIndependence:10 July 1973 (from UK)National holiday:National Day, 10 July (1973)Constitution:10 July 1973Legal system:based on English common lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral Sir Clifford DARLING (since 2 January 1992)head of government:Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992); Deputy PrimeMinister Orville A. TURNQUEST (since 19 August 1992)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the governor on the prime minister'srecommendationLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentSenate:a 16-member body appointed by the governor generalHouse of Assembly:elections last held 19 August 1992 (next to be held by August 1997);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (49 total) FNM 32, PLP17Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free NationalMovement (FNM), Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM;Member of:ACP, C, CCC, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAS,OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Timothy Baswell DONALDSONchancery:2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 319-2660FAX:(202) 319-2668consulate(s) general:Miami and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lino GUTIERREZembassy:Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassaumailing address:P. O. Box N-8197, Nassautelephone:(809) 322-1181 or 328-2206FAX:(809) 328-7838Flag:three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarinewith a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
@The Bahamas, Economy
Overview:The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation whose economy is basedprimarily on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone providesabout 40% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs about 50,000people or 40% of the local work force. The economy has slackened inrecent years, as the annual increase in the number of tourists slowed.Nonetheless, per capita GDP is one of the highest in the region.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.4 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:2% (1991)National product per capita:$16,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.5% (1991)Unemployment rate:5.7% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues:$628.5 millionexpenditures:$574 million, including capital expenditures of $100 million (1992est.)Exports:$310 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfishpartners:US 51%, UK 7%, Norway 7%, France 6%, Italy 5%Imports:$1.2 billion (f.o.b,,1992)commodities:foodstuffs, manufactured goods, mineral fuels, crude oilpartners:US 32%, Japan 17%, Nigeria 12%, Denmark 7%, Norway 6%External debt:$1.2 billion (December 1990)Industrial production:growth rate 3% (1990); accounts for 15% of GDPElectricity:capacity:424,000 kWproduction:929 million kWhconsumption per capita:3,599 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, saltproduction, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral welded steel pipeAgriculture:accounts for 5% of GDP; dominated by small-scale producers; principalproducts - citrus fruit, vegetables, poultry; large net importer offoodIllicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe;also money-laundering centerEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $1 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $345millionCurrency:1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
@The Bahamas, Communications
Highways:total:2,400 kmpaved:1,350 kmunpaved:gravel 1,050 kmPorts:Freeport, NassauMerchant marine:879 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,424,439 GRT/33,330,160 DWT,bulk 167, cargo 148, chemical tanker 43, combination bulk 8,combination ore/oil 20, container 48, liquefied gas 18, oil tanker177, passenger 54, refrigerated cargo 132, roll-on/roll-off cargo 41,short-sea passenger 16, vehicle carrier 7note:a flag of convenience registryAirports:total:60usable:55with permanent-surface runways:31with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:3with runways 1,220-2,439 m:26Telecommunications:highly developed; 99,000 telephones in totally automatic system;tropospheric scatter and submarine cable links to Florida; broadcaststations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables; 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth station
@The Bahamas, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas PoliceForceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $65 million, 2.7% of GDP (1990)
@Bahrain, Geography
Location:Middle East, in the central Persian Gulf, between Saudi Arabia andQatarMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:620 sq kmland area:620 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:161 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:not specifiedterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands; maritimeboundary with QatarClimate:arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summersTerrain:mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpmentNatural resources:oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fishLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:6%forest and woodland:0%other:90%Irrigated land:10 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land,periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage tocoastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spillsand other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, anddistribution stations; no surface water resources; groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needsnatural hazards:periods of drought, dust stormsinternational agreements:party to - Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection;signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate ChangeNote:close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic locationin Persian Gulf through which much of Western world's petroleum musttransit to reach open ocean
@Bahrain, People
Population: 585,683 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.96% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 26.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 3.83 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 6.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.51 years male: 71.1 years female: 76.05 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.96 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic divisions: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6% Religions: Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 77% male: 82% female: 69% Labor force: 140,000 by occupation: industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982) note: 42% of labor force is Bahraini
@Bahrain, Government
Names:conventional long form:State of Bahrainconventional short form:Bahrainlocal long form:Dawlat al Bahraynlocal short form:Al BahraynDigraph:BAType:traditional monarchyCapital:ManamaAdministrative divisions:12 districts (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, AlMintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ashShamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa'wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, JiddHafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, SitrahIndependence:15 August 1971 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 16 December (1961)Constitution:26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973Legal system:based on Islamic law and English common lawSuffrage:noneExecutive branch:chief of state:Amir ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November 1961); Heir ApparentHAMAD bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (son of the Amir, born 28 January1950)head of government:Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970)cabinet:CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 andlegislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed AdvisoryCouncil established 16 December 1992Judicial branch:High Civil Appeals CourtPolitical parties and leaders:political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist andIslamic fundamentalist groups are activeMember of:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDB,ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Mohammad ABD al-GHAFFARchancery:3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 342-0741 or 342-0742consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires David S. ROBINSembassy:Road No. 3119 (next to Alahli Sports Club), Zinj District, Manamamailing address:FPO AE 09834-5100; P.O. Box 26431, Manamatelephone:[973] 273-300FAX:(973) 272-594Flag:red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side
@Bahrain, Economy
Overview:Petroleum production and processing account for about 80% of exportreceipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. Economicconditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since1985, for example, during and following the Gulf crisis of 1990-91.Bahrain with its highly developed communication and transportfacilities is home to numerous multinational firms with business inthe Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products madefrom imported crude. Prospects for 1994 are good, with privateenterprise the main driving force, e.g., in banking and construction.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.8 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:4% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$12,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:8%-10% (1989)Budget:revenues:$1.2 billionexpenditures:$1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)Exports:$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:petroleum and petroleum products 80%, aluminum 7%partners:Japan 13%, UAE 12%, India 10%, Pakistan 8%, Singapore 6% (1991)Imports:$3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:nonoil 59%, crude oil 41%partners:Saudi Arabia 42%, US 14%, UK 7%, Japan 5%, Germany 4% (1991)External debt:$2.6 billion (1993)Industrial production:growth rate 3.8% (1988); accounts for 44% of GDPElectricity:capacity:1,600,000 kWproduction:4.7 billion kWhconsumption per capita:8,500 kWh (1992)Industries:petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshorebanking, ship repairingAgriculture:including fishing, accounts for less than 2% of GDP; notself-sufficient in food production; heavily subsidized sector producesfruit, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, fishEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $24 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $45million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.8 billionCurrency:1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1 - 0.3760 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Bahrain, Communications
Highways:total:NApaved:bituminous 200 kmunpaved:NAPipelines:crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 kmPorts:Mina' Salman, Manama, SitrahMerchant marine:6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 101,844 GRT/143,997 DWT, bulk 1,cargo 4, container 1Airports:total:3usable:3with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:modern system; good domestic services; 98,000 telephones (1 for every6 persons); excellent international connections; tropospheric scatterto Qatar, UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cableto Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT; broadcast stations- 2 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV
@Bahrain, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 198,414; fit for military service 109,431; reachmilitary age (15) annually 5,093 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $245 million, 6% of GDP (1993)
@Baker Island
Header
Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Baker Island, Geography
Location:Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, just north of theEquator, 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaiiand AustraliaMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:1.4 sq kmland area:1.4 sq kmcomparative area:about 2.3 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:4.8 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:12 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:nonemate:equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunrain:low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reefural resources:guano (deposits worked until 1891)Land use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:lacks fresh waternatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses,prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting,roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marinewildlife
@Baker Island, People
Population:uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 afterJapanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by USmilitary during World War II, but abandoned after the war; publicentry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted toscientists and educators; a cemetery and cemetery ruins are locatednear the middle of the west coast
@Baker Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Baker IslandDigraph:FQType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge systemCapital:none; administered from Washington, DC
@Baker Island, Economy
Overview: no economic activity
@Baker Island, Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middleof the west coastAirports:1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 mNote:there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
@Baker Island, Defense Forces
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
@Bangladesh, Geography
Location:Southern Asia, at the head of the Bay of Bengal, almost completelysurrounded by IndiaMap references:Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:144,000 sq kmland area:133,910 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than WisconsinLand boundaries:total 4,246 km, Burma 193 km, India 4,053 kmCoastline:580 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:18 nmcontinental shelf:up to outer limits of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:a portion of the boundary with India is in dispute; water-sharingproblems with upstream riparian India over the GangesClimate:tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer(March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)Terrain:mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeastNatural resources:natural gas, arable land, timberLand use:arable land:67%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:4%forest and woodland:16%other:11%Irrigated land:27,380 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivateflood-prone land; limited access to potable water; water-bornediseases prevalent; water pollution especially of fishing areasresults from the use of commercial pesticides; intermittent watershortages because of falling water tables in the northern and centralparts of the country; soil degradation; deforestation; severeoverpopulationnatural hazards:vulnerable to droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinelyflooded during the summer monsoon seasoninternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, HazardousWastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but notratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
@Bangladesh, People
Population: 125,149,469 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.33% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 35.02 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 11.68 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 106.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.08 years male: 55.35 years female: 54.8 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.47 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladesh Ethnic divisions: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than 1 million Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, other Languages: Bangla (official), English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 35% male: 47% female: 22% Labor force: 50.1 million by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 21%, industry and mining 14% (1989) note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)
@Bangladesh, Government
Names:conventional long form:People's Republic of Bangladeshconventional short form:Bangladeshformer:East PakistanDigraph:BGType:republicCapital:DhakaAdministrative divisions:64 districts (zillagulo, singular - zilla); Bagerhat, Bandarban,Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, ChapaiNawabganj, Chattagram, Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka,Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha, Gazipur, Gopalganj, Habiganj,Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati, Jhenaidah, Khagrachari,Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia, Laksmipur, Lalmonirhat,Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur, Moulavibazar, Munshiganj,Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Nator, Netrakona,Nilphamari, Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar, Parbattya Chattagram,Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Satkhira,Shariyatpur, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Tangail,ThakurgaonIndependence:16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)National holiday:Independence Day, 26 March (1971)Constitution:4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coupof 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many timesLegal system:based on English common lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991); election lastheld 8 October 1991 (next to be held by NA October 1996); results -Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary votehead of government:Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAur RAHMAN (since 20 March 1991)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralNational Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad):elections last held 27 February 1991 (next to be held NA February1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (330 total, 300elected and 30 seats reserved for women) BNP 168, AL 93, JP 35, JI 20,BCP 5, National Awami Party (Muzaffar) 1, Workers Party 1, JSD 1,Ganotantri Party 1, Islami Oikya Jote 1, NDP 1, independents 3Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda ZIAur RAHMAN; Awami League(AL), Sheikh Hasina WAJED; Jatiyo Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD(in jail); Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Ali KHAN; Bangladesh Communist Party(BCP), Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); WorkersParty, leader NA; Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (JSD), Serajul ALAM KHAN;Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami Oikya Jote, leader NA; NationalDemocratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Muslim League, Khan A. SABUR;Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; Democratic League,Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; United People's Party, Kazi ZAFAR AhmedMember of:AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO,ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNOMOZ, UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, WCL,WHO, WFTU, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Abul AHSANchancery:2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 342-8372 through 8376consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador David MERRILLembassy:Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhakamailing address:G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212telephone:[880] (2) 884700-22FAX:[880] (2) 883-744Flag:green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center;green is the traditional color of Islam
@Bangladesh, Economy
Overview:Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, andleast developed nations. Its economy is overwhelmingly agricultural,with the cultivation of rice the single most important activity in theeconomy. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones andfloods, government interference with the economy, a rapidly growinglabor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, a low level ofindustrialization, failure to fully exploit energy resources (naturalgas), and inefficient and inadequate power supplies. Excellent ricecrops and expansion of the export garment industry helped growth inFY92 and FY93. Policy reforms intended to reduce government regulationof private industry and promote public-sector efficiency have beenannounced but are being implemented only slowly.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $122 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:4.3% (FY93)National product per capita:$1,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.4% (FY93)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$2.5 billionexpenditures:$3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92)Exports:$2.1 billion (FY93)commodities:garments, jute and jute goods, leather, shrimppartners:US 33%, Western Europe 39% (Germany 8.4%, Italy 6%) (FY92 est.)Imports:$3.5 billion (FY93)commodities:capital goods, petroleum, food, textilespartners:Hong Kong 7.5%, Singapore 7.4%, China 7.4%, Japan 7.1% (FY92 est.)External debt:$13.5 billion (June 1993)Industrial production:growth rate 6.9% (FY93 est.); accounts for 9.4% of GDPElectricity:capacity:2,400,000 kWproduction:9 billion kWhconsumption per capita:75 kWh (1992)Industries:jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel,fertilizerAgriculture:accounts for 33% of GDP, 65% of employment, and one-fifth of exports;world's largest exporter of jute; commercial products - jute, rice,wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry; shortagesinclude wheat, vegetable oils, cottonIllicit drugs:transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countriesEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.4 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89),$11.65 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6.52 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $1.5 billionCurrency:1 taka (Tk) = 100 poiskaExchange rates:taka (Tk) per US$1 - 40.064 (January 1994), 39.567 (1993), 38.951(1992), 36.596 (1991), 34.569 (1990), 32.270 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Bangladesh, Communications
Railroads:2,892 km total (1986); 1,914 km 1.000 meter gauge, 978 km 1.676 meterbroad gaugeHighways:total:7,240 kmpaved:3,840 kmunpaved:3,400 km (1985)Inland waterways:5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km main cargoroutes)Pipelines:natural gas 1,220 kmPorts:Chittagong, ChalnaMerchant marine:41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 312,172 GRT/458,131 DWT, bulk 3,cargo 33, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 3Airports:total:16usable:12with permanent-surface runways:12with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:4with runways 1,220-2,439 m:6Telecommunications:adequate international radio communications and landline service; poordomestic telephone service; 241.250 telephones - only one telephonefor each 522 persons; fair broadcast service; broadcast stations - 9AM, 6 FM, 11 TV; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth stations
@Bangladesh, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Forceparamilitary forces:Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, DefenseParties, National Cadet CorpsManpower availability:males age 15-49 31,955,948; fit for military service 18,967,602Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $355 million, 1.5% of GDP (FY92/93)
@Barbados, Geography
Location:Caribbean, in the extreme eastern Caribbean Sea, about 375 kmnortheast of VenezuelaMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zonesof the WorldArea:total area:430 sq kmland area:430 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:97 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; rainy season (June to October)Terrain:relatively flat; rises gently to central highland regionNatural resources:petroleum, fishing, natural gasLand use:arable land:77%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:9%forest and woodland:0%other:14%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soilerosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination ofaquifersnatural hazards:subject to hurricanes (especially June to October); periodiclandslidesinternational agreements:party to - Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection;signed, but not ratified - BiodiversityNote:easternmost Caribbean island
@Barbados, People
Population:255,827 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.21% (1994 est.)Birth rate:15.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:8.4 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-5.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:73.83 yearsmale:71.11 yearsfemale:76.76 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.78 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Barbadian(s)adjective:BarbadianEthnic divisions:African 80%, European 4%, other 16%Religions:Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9% (1980)Languages:EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)total population:99%male:99%female:99%Labor force:120,900 (1991)by occupation:services and government 37%, commerce 22%, manufacturing andconstruction 22%, transportation, storage, communications, andfinancial institutions 9%, agriculture 8%, utilities 2% (1985 est.)
@Barbados, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:BarbadosDigraph:BBType:parliamentary democracyCapital:BridgetownAdministrative divisions:11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James,Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter,Saint Philip, Saint Thomasnote:the new city of Bridgetown may be given parish statusIndependence:30 November 1966 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 30 November (1966)Constitution:30 November 1966Legal system:English common law; no judicial review of legislative actsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral Dame Nita BARROW (since 6 June 1990)head of government:Prime Minister Lloyd Erskine SANDIFORD (since 2 June 1987); DeputyPrime Minister Philip Marlowe GREAVES (since 2 June 1987)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the primeministerLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentSenate:consists of a 21-member body appointed by the governor generalHouse of Assembly:election last held 22 January 1991 (next to be held by January 1996);results - DLP 49.8%; seats - (28 total) DLP 18, BLP 10Judicial branch:Supreme Court of JudicaturePolitical parties and leaders:Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Erskine SANDIFORD; Barbados Labor Party(BLP), Owen ARTHUR; National Democratic Party (NDP), Richie HAYNESOther political or pressure groups:Barbados Workers Union, Leroy TROTMAN; People's Progressive Movement,Eric SEALY; Workers' Party of Barbados, Dr. George BELLE; ClementPayne Labor Union, David COMMISSIONGMember of:ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Dr. Rudi Valentine WEBSTERchancery:2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 939-9200 through 9202consulate(s) general:New Yorkconsulate(s):Los AngelesUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Jeanette W. HYDEembassy:Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetownmailing address:P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055telephone:(809) 436-4950FAX:(809) 429-5246Flag:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and blue withthe head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the tridenthead represents independence and a break with the past (the colonialcoat of arms contained a complete trident)
@Barbados, Economy
Overview:A per capita income of $8,700 gives Barbados one of the higheststandards of living of all the small island states of the easternCaribbean. Historically, the economy was based on the cultivation ofsugar cane and related activities. In recent years, however, theeconomy has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. The touristindustry is now a major employer of the labor force and a primarysource of foreign exchange. The economy slowed in 1990-92 asBridgetown's difficulty in financing its deficits caused it to exertcontrol over domestic demandsNational product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.2 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-3% (1992)National product per capita:$8,700 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.1% (1992)Unemployment rate:23% (1992)Budget:revenues:$547 millionexpenditures:$620 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million (FY92-93)Exports:$158 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals,electrical components, clothingpartners:US 13%, UK 13%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, Windward Islands 7.8%Imports:$465 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel,electrical componentspartners:US 33%, UK 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 5%External debt:$652 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -1.3% (1991); accounts for 10% of GDPElectricity:capacity:152,100 kWproduction:540 million kWhconsumption per capita:2,118 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export,petroleumAgriculture:accounts for 6% of GDP; major cash crop is sugarcane; other crops -vegetables, cotton; not self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $171millionCurrency:1 Barbadian dollar (Bds$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1 - 2.0113 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Barbados, Communications
Highways:total:1,570 kmpaved:1,475 kmunpaved:gravel, earth 95 kmPorts:BridgetownMerchant marine:2 oil tankers (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 44,466 GRT/76,219 DWTAirports:total:1usable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:island wide automatic telephone system with 89,000 telephones;tropospheric scatter link to Trinidad and Saint Lucia; broadcaststations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 2 (1 is pay) TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station
@Barbados, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Barbados Defense Force, including the Ground Forces and CoastGuard, Royal Barbados Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 70,751; fit for military service 49,330Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $10 million, 0.7% of GDP (1989)
@Bassas da India
Header Affiliation: (possession of France)
@Bassas da India, Geography
Location: Southern Africa, in the southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: NA km2 land area: NA km2 comparative area: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 meters high Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones international agreements: NA Note: navigational hazard since it is usually under water during high tide
@Bassas da India, People
Population: uninhabited
@Bassas da India, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Bassas da IndiaDigraph:BSType:French possession administered by a Commissioner of the Republic,resident in ReunionCapital:none; administered by France from ReunionIndependence:none (possession of France)
@Bassas da India, Economy
Overview: no economic activity
@Bassas da India, Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
@Bassas da India, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Belarus, Geography
Location:Eastern Europe, between Poland and RussiaMap references:Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - European States, Europe,Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:207,600 sq kmland area:207,600 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than KansasLand boundaries:total 3,098 km, Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 605 km, Russia959 km, Ukraine 891 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:noneClimate:cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continentaland maritimeTerrain:generally flat and contains much marshlandNatural resources:forest land, peat depositsLand use:arable land:29%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:15%forest and woodland:0%other:55%Irrigated land:1,490 sq km (1990)Environment:current issues:soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of Belaruscontaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident atChornobyl'natural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Biodiversity, Environmental Modification, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - ClimateChange, Law of the SeaNote:landlocked
@Belarus, People
Population:10,404,862 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.32% (1994 est.)Birth rate:13.12 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:11.16 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:18.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:70.88 yearsmale:66.2 yearsfemale:75.79 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.88 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Belarusian(s)adjective:BelarusianEthnic divisions:Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Polish 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.9%, other1.9%Religions:Eastern Orthodox, otherLanguages:Byelorussian, Russian, otherLiteracy:age 9-49 can read and write (1979)total population:100%male:100%female:100%Labor force:4.887 millionby occupation:industry and construction 40%, agriculture and forestry 21%, other 39%(1992)
@Belarus, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Belarusconventional short form:Belaruslocal long form:Respublika Byelarus'local short form:noneformer:Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:BOType:republicCapital:MinskAdministrative divisions:6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and one municipality* (harady,singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), HoradMinsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya,Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk)note:the administrative centers of the voblastsi are included inparenthesesIndependence:25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)National holiday:Independence Day, 27 July (1990)Constitution:adopted 15 March 1994; replaces constitution of April 1978Legal system:based on civil law systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President-elect Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (elected 10 July 1994, but notyet inaugurated) election held June 24 and 10 July 1994 (next to beheld NA); Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 80%, Vyacheslav KEBICH 14%head of government:Prime Minister Vyacheslav F. KEBICH (since NA April 1990; offered hisresignation on the election of LUCHASHENKO), First Deputy PrimeMinister Mikhail MYASNIKOVICH (since NA 1991)cabinet:Council of Ministersnote:first presidential elections took place in June-July 1994Legislative branch:unicameralSupreme Soviet:elections last held 4 April 1990 (next to be held NA); results -Communists 87%; seats - (360 total) number of seats by party NA; note- 50 seats are for public bodies; the Communist Party obtained anoverwhelming majorityJudicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), Zenon PAZNYAK, chairman; UnitedDemocratic Party of Belarus (UDPB), Aleksandr DOBROVOLSKIY, chairman;Social Democratic Party of Belarus (SDBP), Mikhail TKACHEV, chairman;Belarus Workers Union, Mikhail SOBOL, Chairman; Belarus PeasantsParty; Party of People's Unity, Gennadiy KARPENKO; Movement forDemocracy, Social Progress, and Justice (DSPS; includes the CommunistParty), Viktor CHIKIN, chairmanMember of:CBSS (observer), CE (guest), CEI (participating), CIS, CSCE, ECE,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFC, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatoryuser), IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Sergey Nikolayevich MARTYNOVchancery:1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 986-1604FAX:(202) 986-1805)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires George KROLembassy:Starovilenskaya #46, Minskmailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:7-0172-34-65-37Flag:three horizontal bands of white (top), red, and white
@Belarus, EconomyOverview:Belarus ranks among the most developed of the former Soviet states,with a relatively modern - by Soviet standards - and diverse machinebuilding sector and a robust agriculture sector. It also serves as atransport link for Russian oil exports to the Baltic states andEastern and Western Europe. The breakup of the Soviet Union and itscommand economy has resulted in a sharp economic contraction astraditional trade ties have collapsed. At the same time, theBelarusian Government has lagged behind most other former Sovietstates in economic reform; privatization has barely begun; theagriculture sector remains highly subsidized; the state retainscontrol over many prices; and the system of state orders anddistribution persists. Meanwhile, the national bank continues to pourcredits into inefficient enterprises, fueling inflation and weakeningincentives to improve performance. The government is pinning its hopeson reintegration with the Russian economy, but such a path would onlypartially restore traditional trade ties. Until economic reform isembraced, Belarus will continue in its economic morass.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $61 billion (1993 estimate fromthe UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 andpublished in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and asextrapolated to 1993 using official Belarusian statistics, which arevery uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)National product real growth rate:-9% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$5,890 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):30% per month (1993)Unemployment rate:1.4% officially registered unemployed (December 1993); large numbersof underemployed workersBudget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$710 million to outside of the FSU countries (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffspartners:Russia, Ukraine, Poland, BulgariaImports:$743 million from outside the FSU countries (c.i.f., 1993)commodities:fuel, industrial raw materials, textiles, sugarpartners:Russia, Ukraine, PolandExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -11% (1993); accounts for about 40% of GDP (1992)Electricity:capacity:8,025,000 kWproduction:37.6 billion kWhconsumption per capita:3,626 kWh (1992)Industries:employ about 40% of labor force and produce a wide variety of productsincluding (in percent share of total output of former Soviet Union):tractors (12%); metal-cutting machine tools (11%); off-highway dumptrucks up to 110-metric-ton load capacity (100%); wheel-typeearthmovers for construction and mining (100%); eight-wheel-drive,high-flotation trucks with cargo capacity of 25 metric tons for use intundra and roadless areas (100%); equipment for animal husbandry andlivestock feeding (25%); motorcycles (21.3%); television sets (11%);chemical fibers (28%); fertilizer (18%); linen fabric (11%); woolfabric (7%); radios; refrigerators; and other consumer goodsAgriculture:accounts for almost 25% of GDP and 5.7% of total agricultural outputof former Soviet Union; employs 21% of the labor force; in 1988produced the following (in percent of total Soviet production): grain(3.6%), potatoes (12.2%), vegetables (3.0%), meat (6.0%), milk (7.0%);net exporter of meat, milk, eggs, flour, potatoesIllicit drugs:illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis; mostly for thedomestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to WesternEuropeEconomic aid:$NACurrency:Belarusian rubelnote:the government signed a framework agreement with Russia for a monetaryunion in January 1994, but a schedule and mechanism for merging thetwo monetary systems and replacing Belarusian rubels with Russianrubles have not been worked outExchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
@Belarus, Communications
Railroads:5,570 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:total:98,200 kmpaved:66,100 kmunpaved:earth 32,100 km (1990)Inland waterways:NA kmPipelines:crude oil 1,470 km; refined products 1,100 km; natural gas 1,980 km(1992)Ports:none; landlockedMerchant marine:claims 5% of former Soviet fleetAirports:total:124usable:55with permanent-surface runways:31with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:28with runways 1,060-2,439 m:20note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:telephone service in Belarus is inadequate for the purposes of eitherbusiness or the population; total number of telephones 1,849,000 (31December 1991); telephone density - 18 for each 100 persons; about 70%of the telephones are in homes; over 750,000 applications fromhouseholds for telephones remain unsatisfied (1992); new investmentcenters on international connections and business needs; the newBelCel NMT 450 cellular system (a joint venture) is now operating inMinsk but progress has been slower in establishing an INTELSAT earthstation; international traffic still relies on the Moscowinternational gateway switch; broadcast receivers - television3,538,000, radio 3,140,000, radio receivers with multiple speakersystems for program diffusion 5,615,000
@Belarus, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Forces, Air Defense Forces, Security Forces (internal andborder troops)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 2,520,487; fit for military service 1,981,749; reachmilitary age (18) annually 71,922 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:56.5 billion rubles, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of themilitary budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate couldproduce misleading results
@Belgium, Geography
Location:Western Europe, bordering on the North Sea, between France and theNetherlandsMap references:Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:30,510 sq kmland area:30,230 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:total 1,385 km, France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,Netherlands 450 kmCoastline:64 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:equidistant line with neighborsexclusive fishing zone:equidistant line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)territorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudyTerrain:flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, ruggedmountains of Ardennes Forest in southeastNatural resources:coal, natural gasLand use:arable land:24%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:20%forest and woodland:21%other:34%Irrigated land:10 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:Meuse River, a major source of drinking water, polluted from steelproduction wastes; other rivers polluted by animal wastes andfertilizers; industrial air pollution contributes to acid rain inneighboring countriesnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed,but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitalswithin 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of the EC
@Belgium, People
Population:10,062,836 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.2% (1994 est.)Birth rate:11.71 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:10.26 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76.96 yearsmale:73.67 yearsfemale:80.44 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.62 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Belgian(s)adjective:BelgianEthnic divisions:Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12%Religions:Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%Languages:Dutch 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11% divided alongethnic linesLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:4.126 millionby occupation:services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%, agriculture 2.3%(1988)
@Belgium, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of Belgiumconventional short form:Belgiumlocal long form:Royaume de Belgiquelocal short form:BelgiqueDigraph:BEType:constitutional monarchyCapital:BrusselsAdministrative divisions:9 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish:provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant, Hainaut, Liege,Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, West-VlaanderenIndependence:4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands)National holiday:National Day, 21 July (ascension of King Leopold to the throne in1831)Constitution:7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved aconstitutional package creating a federal stateLegal system:civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicialreview of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsSuffrage:18 years of age, universal and compulsoryExecutive branch:chief of state:King ALBERT II (since NA August 1993)head of government:Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992)cabinet:Cabinet; the king appoints the ministers who are chosen by thelegislatureLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentSenate:(Flemish - Senaat, French - Senat); elections last held 24 November1991 (next to be held by November 1996); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (184 total; of which 106 are directly elected) CVP20, SP 14, PVV (now VLD) 13, VU 5, AGALEV 5, VB 5, ROSSEN 1, PS 18,PRL 9, PSC 9, ECOLO 6, FDF 1Chamber of Representatives:(Flemish - Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, French - Chambre desRepresentants); elections last held 24 November 1991 (next to be heldby November 1996); results - CVP 16.7%, PS 13.6%, SP 12.0%, PVV (nowVLD) 11.9%, PRL 8.2%, PSC 7.8%, VB 6.6%, VU 5.9%, ECOLO 5.1%, AGALEV4.9%, FDF 2.6%, ROSSEM 3.2%, FN 1.5%; seats - (212 total) CVP 39, PS35, SP 28, PVV (now VLD) 26, PRL 20, PSC 18, FB 12, VU 10, ECOLO 10,AGALEV 7, FDF 3, ROSSEM 3, FN 1Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie, French - Cour deCassation)Political parties and leaders:Flemish Social Christian (CVP), Johan van HECKE, president;Francophone Social Christian (PSC), Melchior WATHELET, president;Flemish Socialist (SP), Frank VANDENBROUCKE, president; FrancophoneSocialist (PS), Philippe BUSQUIN; Flemish Liberals and Democrats(VLD), Guy VERHOFSTADT, president; Francophone Liberal (PRL), JeanGOL, president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF), Georges CLERFAYT,president; Volksunie (VU), Bert ANCIAUX, president; Communist Party(PCB), Louis VAN GEYT, president; Vlaams Blok (VB), Karel DILLEN,chairman; ROSSEM, Jean Pierre VAN ROSSEM; National Front (FN), Wernervan STEEN; AGALEV (Flemish Greens), no president; ECOLO (FrancophoneEcologists), no president; other minor partiesOther political or pressure groups:Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of BelgianIndustries; numerous other associations representing bankers,manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medicalprofessions; various organizations represent the cultural interests ofFlanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as the Flemish ActionCommittee Against Nuclear Weapons and Pax ChristiMember of:AG (observer), ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australian Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC,CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, 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,MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTAC, UNTSO,UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Juan CASSIERSchancery:3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 333-6900FAX:(202) 333-3079consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Alan J. BLINKENembassy:27 Boulevard du Regent, Brusselsmailing address:B-1000 Brussels, APO AE 09724telephone:[32] (2) 513-3830FAX:[32] (2) 511-2725Flag:three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; thedesign was based on the flag of France
@Belgium, Economy
Overview:This small private enterprise economy has capitalized on its centralgeographic location, highly developed transport network, anddiversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentratedmainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although thegovernment is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region ofWalloon. With few natural resources Belgium must import substantialquantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures,making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets.Three fourths of its trade is with other EC countries. The economygrew at a strong 4% pace during the period 1988-90, but economicgrowth slowed to a 1% pace in 1991-92 and dropped by 1.5% in 1993.Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government istrying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into linewith other industrialized countries.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $177.5 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:-1.5% (1993)National product per capita:$17,700 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:13.5% (March 1994)Budget:revenues:$97.8 billionenditures:$109.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)Exports:7 billion (f.o.b., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Unioncommodities:iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds,petroleum productspartners:EC 75.5%, US 3.7%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1991)Imports:$120 billion (c.i.f., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Unioncommodities:fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffspartners:EC 73%, US 4.8%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%, formerCommunist countries 1.8% (1991)External debt:$31.3 billion (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -0.1% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:capacity:17,500,000 kWproduction:68 billion kWhconsumption per capita:6,790 kWh (1992)Industries:engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed foodand beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum,coalAgriculture:accounts for 2.0% of GDP; emphasis on livestock production - beef,veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets, fresh vegetables,fruits, grain, tobacco; net importer of farm productsIllicit drugs:source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors;important gateway country for cocaine entering the European marketEconomic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $5.8 billionCurrency:1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 36.242 (January 1994), 34.597 (1993),32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Belgium, Communications
Railroads:Belgian National Railways (SNCB) operates 3,568 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge, government owned; 2,563 km double track; 2,207 kmelectrifiedHighways:total:137,876 kmpaved:129,603 km (including 1,631 km of limited access divided highway)unpaved:8,273 km (1989)Inland waterways:2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)Pipelines:crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 kmPorts:Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Oostende, ZeebruggeMerchant marine:21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 36,200 GRT/52,039 DWT, bulk 1,cargo 9, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 5Airports:total:42usable:42with permanent-surface runways:24with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:15with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automateddomestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities;extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network;4,720,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 39 FM, 32 TV; 5submarine cables; 2 satellite earth stations - Atlantic Ocean INTELSATand EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system
@Belgium, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, National GendarmerieManpower availability:males age 15-49 2,558,109; fit for military service 2,130,172; reachmilitary age (19) annually 61,710 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 1.8% of GDP (1993)
@Belize, Geography
Location:Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea between Guatemala andMexicoMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zonesof the WorldArea:total area:22,960 sq kmland area:22,800 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than MassachusettsLand boundaries:total 516 km, Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 kmCoastline:386 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the southnote:from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize'sterritorial sea is 3 miles; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework forthe negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differenceswith GuatemalaInternational disputes:maritime border with Guatemala in dispute; desultory negotiations toresolve the dispute have begunClimate:tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)Terrain:flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in southNatural resources:arable land potential, timber, fishLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:2%forest and woodland:44%other:52%Irrigated land:20 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents,agricultural runoffnatural hazards:frequent devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastalflooding (especially in south)international agreements:party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Whaling;signed, but not ratified - Climate ChangeNote:national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopanbecause of hurricanes; only country in Central America without acoastline on the North Pacific Ocean
@Belize, People
Population:208,949 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.42% (1994 est.)Birth rate:34.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:35.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:68.08 yearsmale:66.14 yearsfemale:70.12 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:4.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Belizean(s)adjective:BelizeanEthnic divisions:mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%, other 8%Religions:Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%,Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah'sWitnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)Languages:English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib)Literacy:age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)total population:91%male:91%female:91%Labor force:51,500by occupation:agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%, commerce 11.2%,manufacturing 10.3%note:shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1985)