@Belize, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Belizeformer:British HondurasDigraph:BHType:parliamentary democracyCapital:BelmopanAdministrative divisions:6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, ToledoIndependence:21 September 1981 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 21 September (1981)Constitution:21 September 1981Legal system:English lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)head of government:Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy PrimeMinister Dean BARROW (since NA 1993)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice from the primeministerLegislative branch:bicameral National AssemblySenate:consists of an 8-member body, 5 are appointed on the advice of theprime minister, 2 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1after consultation with the Belize Advisory CouncilNational Assembly:elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 13 UDP 15Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA;United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, DeanBARROW; National Alliance for Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSONOther political or pressure groups:Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR), AssadSHOMAN; United Workers Front, leader NAMember of:ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Dean LINDOchancery:2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 332-9636FAX:(202) 332-6888consulate(s) general:MiamiUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSAembassy:Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize Citymailing address:P. O. Box 286, Belize Citytelephone:[501] (2) 77161 through 77163FAX:[501] (2) 30802Flag:blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges;centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat ofarms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahoganytree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade)on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
@Belize, Economy
Overview:The economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry,and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasingimportance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75%of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner,is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with anagricultural diversification program.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:5.3% (1992)National product per capita:$2,700 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.5% (1991)Unemployment rate:15% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues:$126.8 millionexpenditures:$123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY91est.)Exports:$116 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:sugar, citrus, clothing, fish products, bananas, molasses, woodpartners:US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)Imports:$273 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods,fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticalspartners:US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)External debt:$143.7 million (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of GDPElectricity:capacity:34,532 kWproduction:90 million kWhconsumption per capita:393 kWh (1992)Industries:garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar refining, rum,beverages, tourismAgriculture:accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry); commercialcrops include sugar cane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expandingoutput of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foodsIllicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis forthe international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuanaproduction from 200 metric tons in 1987 to about 50 metric tons in1991Economic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $215millionCurrency:1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Belize, Communications
Highways:total:2,710 kmpaved:500 kmunpaved:gravel 1,600 km; improved earth 300 km; unimproved earth 310 kmInland waterways:825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigablePorts:Belize City; additional ports for shallow draught craft includeCorozol, Punta Gorda, Big CreekMerchant marine:25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,509 GRT/80,345 DWT, bulk 6,cargo 11, container 2, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2,roll-on/roll-off cargo 3Airports:total:47usable:38with permanent-surface runways:3with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,229-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:8,650 telephones; above-average system based on microwave radio relay;broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station
@Belize, Defense Forces
Branches:British Forces Belize withdrawn by the end of 1993 except for a smalltraining detachment, Belize Defense Force (including Army, Navy, AirForce, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 48,789; fit for military service 29,040; reachmilitary age (18) annually 2,175 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $4.8 million, 1.8% of GDP (1992)
@Benin, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Nigeria andTogoMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:112,620 sq kmland area:110,620 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than PennsylvaniaLand boundaries:total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644kmCoastline:121 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:200 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in northTerrain:mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountainsNatural resources:small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timberLand use:arable land:12%permanent crops:4%meadows and pastures:4%forest and woodland:35%other:45%Irrigated land:60 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:limited supply of safe drinking water; illegal hunting threatenswildlife populations; deforestation; desertificationnatural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winterinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north;no natural harbors
@Benin, People
Population:5,341,710 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.33% (1994 est.)Birth rate:47.67 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:14.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:110.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:51.77 yearsmale:49.92 yearsfemale:53.68 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:6.79 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Beninese (singular and plural)adjective:BenineseEthnic divisions:African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba,Bariba), Europeans 5,500Religions:indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%Languages:French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south),tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:23%male:32%female:16%Labor force:1.9 million (1987)by occupation:agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%,industry less than 2%note:49% of population of working age (1985)
@Benin, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Beninconventional short form:Beninlocal long form:Republique Populaire du Beninlocal short form:Beninformer:DahomeyDigraph:BNType:republic under multiparty democratic rule dropped Marxism-LeninismDecember 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition tomultiparty system completed 4 April 1991Capital:Porto-NovoAdministrative divisions:6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, ZouIndependence:1 August 1960 (from France)National holiday:National Day, 1 August (1990)Constitution:2 December 1990Legal system:based on French civil law and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Nicephore SOGLO (since 4 April 1991); election last held 10and 24 March 1991; results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32%cabinet:Executive Council; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):elections last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (64 total) UDFP-MDPS-ULD 12, PNDD/PRD 9, PSD/UNSP 8,NCC 7, RND 7, MNDD/MSUP/UDRN 6, UDS 5, RDL 4, ASD/BSD 3, ADP/UDRS 2,UNDP 1Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Political parties and leaders:Alliance of the Democratic Union for the Forces of Progress (UDFP),Timothee ADANLIN; Movement for Democracy and Social Progress (MDPS),Jean-Roger AHOYO; Union for Liberty and Development (ULD), MarcellinDEGBE; Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development(PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO;Alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Unionfor Solidarity and Progress (UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Our Common Cause(NCC), Albert TEVOEDJRE; National Rally for Democracy (RND), JosephKEKE; Alliance of the National Movement for Democracy and Development(MNDD), leader NA; Movement for Solidarity, Union, and Progress(MSUP), Adebo ADENIYI; Union for Democracy and National Reconstruction(UDRN), Azaria FAKOREDE; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity(UDS), Mama Amadou N'DIAYE; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for NationalReconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Alliance of the Alliance forSocial Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Bloc for Social Democracy(BSD), Michel MAGNIDE; Alliance of the Alliance for Democracy andProgress (ADP), Akindes ADEKPEDJOU; Democratic Union for SocialRenewal (UDRS), Bio Gado Seko N'GOYE; National Union for Democracy andProgress (UNDP), Robert TAGNON; Party for Progress and Democracy,Thiophile NATA; African Rally for Progress and Solidarity (RAPS),Florentin MITO-BABA; The Benin Renaissance Party , Desire VIEYRA andRosine SOGLO; The Patriotic Union for the Republic (UPR), Jean-MarieZAHOUN; Union for the Conservation of Democracy, Bernard HOUEGNONnote:as of May 1994, Benin had about 60 political partiesMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Candide AHOUANSOUchancery:2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 232-6656FAX:(202) 265-1996US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Ruth A. DAVISembassy:Rue Caporal Anani Bernard, Cotonoumailing address:B. P. 2012, Cotonoutelephone:[229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92FAX:[229] 30-14-39 and 30-19-74Flag:two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a verticalgreen band on the hoist side
@Benin, Economy
Overview:Benin is one of the least developed countries in the world because oflimited natural resources and a poorly developed infrastructure.Agriculture accounts for about 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of thelabor force, and generates a major share of foreign exchange earnings.The industrial sector contributes only about 10% to GDP and employs 2%of the work force. Low prices in recent years have kept down hardcurrency earnings from Benin's major exports of agricultural products,primarily cotton. A World Bank supported structural adjustment programbegun in 1989 has helped strengthen the economy through such measuresas trimming the government payroll, reforming the tax system, andencouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign. Benin hasexperienced 3 consecutive years of moderate growth as a result.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.2 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:3% (1991)National product per capita:$1,200 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.4% (1990)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$218 millionexpenditures:$355 million, including capital expenditures of $100 million (1991est.)Exports:$328.8 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:crude oil, cotton, palm products, cocoapartners:FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4%Imports:$482.3 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediategoods, capital goods, light consumer goodspartners:France 20%, Thailand 8%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%External debt:$1 billion (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -0.7% (1988); accounts for 10% of GDPElectricity:capacity:30,000 kWproduction:25 million kWhconsumption per capita:5 kWh (1991)Industries:textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, foodproduction, petroleumAgriculture:accounts for 35% of GDP; small farms produce 90% of agriculturaloutput; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum,cassava, beans, rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, peanuts;poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumptionEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $46 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $101 millionCurrency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26(1990), 319.01 (1989)note:beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 perFrench franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948Fiscal year:calendar year
@Benin, Communications
Railroads:578 km, all 1.000-meter gauge, single trackHighways:total:8,435 kmpaved:1,038 kmunpaved:crushed stone 2,600 km; improved earth 1,530 km; unimproved earth3,267 kmInland waterways:navigable along small sections, important only locallyPorts:CotonouAirports:total:7usable:6with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:fair system of open wire, submarine cable, and radio relay microwave;broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstation
@Benin, Defense Forces
Branches:Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National GendarmerieManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,209,226; females age 15-49 1,120,105; males fit formilitary service 611,257; females fit for military service 573,775;males reach military age (18) annually 58,293 (1994 est.);femalesreach military age (18) annually 56,735 (1994 est.); both sexesare liable for miltary serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
@Bermuda
Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)
@Bermuda, Geography
Location: Northern North America, in the western North Atlantic Ocean, 1,050 km east of North Carolina Map references: North America Area: total area: 50 sq km land area: 50 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes (June to November) international agreements: NA Note: some reclaimed land leased by US Government; consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes
@Bermuda, People
Population:61,158 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.77% (1994 est.)Birth rate:15.14 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.03 yearsmale:73.36 yearsfemale:76.97 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Bermudian(s)adjective:BermudianEthnic divisions:black 61%, white and other 39%Religions:Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion)10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%Languages:EnglishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1970)total population:98%male:98%female:99%Labor force:32,000by occupation:clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture andfishing 2% (1984)
@Bermuda, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:BermudaDigraph:BDType:dependent territory of the UKCapital:HamiltonAdministrative divisions:9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths,Southampton, WarwickIndependence:none (dependent territory of the UK)National holiday:Bermuda Day, 22 MayConstitution:8 June 1968Legal system:English lawSuffrage:21 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorLord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992)head of government:Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982); DeputyPremier J. Irving PEARMAN (since 5 October 1993)cabinet:Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governorLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentSenate:consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governorHouse of Assembly:elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total) UBP22, PLP 18Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party(PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELLOther political or pressure groups:Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONSMember of:CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOCDiplomatic representation in US:none (dependent territory of the UK)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant)consulate general:Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamiltonmailing address:P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727-1002telephone:(809) 295-1342FAX:(809) 295-1592Flag:red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and theBermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holdinga scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture offBermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
@Bermuda, Economy
Overview:Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world,having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury touristfacilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts morethan 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector issmall, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land.About 80% of food needs are imported.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.63 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:-1.5% (1991)National product per capita:$27,100 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.4% (1991)Unemployment rate:6% (1991)Budget:revenues:$327.5 millionexpenditures:$308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY91est.)Exports:$60 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports ofpharmaceuticalspartners:US 55%, UK 32%, Canada 11%, other 2%Imports:$468 million (f.o.b.,1991)commodities:fuel, foodstuffs, machinerypartners:US 60%, UK 8%, Venezuela 7%, Canada 5%, Japan 5%, other 15%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:154,000 kWproduction:504 million kWhconsumption per capita:8,370 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints,pharmaceuticals, ship repairingAgriculture:accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported;produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy productsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277millionCurrency:1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Bermuda, Communications
Highways:total:210 kmpaved:210 kmnote:in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that areprivately ownedPorts:Freeport, Hamilton, Saint GeorgeMerchant marine:67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,407,518 GRT/5,775,281 DWT,bulk 15, cargo 4, container 3, liquefied gas 14, oil tanker 20,refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7note:a flag of convenience registryAirports: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:modern, fully automatic telephone system; 52,670 telephones; broadcaststations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth stations
@Bermuda, Defense Forces
Branches:Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve ConstabularyNote:defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Bhutan, Geography
Location:Southern Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and IndiaMap references:Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:47,000 sq kmland area:47,000 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than half the size of IndianaLand boundaries:total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:noneClimate:varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers incentral valleys; severe winters and cool summers in HimalayasTerrain:mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savannaNatural resources:timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbideLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:5%forest and woodland:70%other:23%Irrigated land:340 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:soil erosion; limited access to safe drinking waternatural hazards:violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of thecountry's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragoninternational agreements:party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controlsseveral key Himalayan mountain passes
@Bhutan, People
Population: 716,380 (July 1994 est.) note: other estimates range as high as 1.7 million (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.34% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 39.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 15.93 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 121 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.6 years male: 51.15 years female: 50.03 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.42 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: massive lack of skilled labor
@Bhutan, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of Bhutanconventional short form:BhutanDigraph:BTType:monarchy; special treaty relationship with IndiaCapital:ThimphuAdministrative divisions:18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha,Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel,Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu,Tongsa, Wangdi PhodrangIndependence:8 August 1949 (from India)National holiday:National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became firsthereditary king)Constitution:no written constitution or bill of rightsLegal system:based on Indian law and English common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:each family has one vote in village-level electionsExecutive branch:Chief of State and Head of Government:King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde):nominated by the kingcabinet:Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog); appointed by the kingLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu); no national electionsJudicial branch:High CourtPolitical parties and leaders:no legal partiesOther political or pressure groups:Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepaleseorganizations leading militant antigovernment campaignMember of:AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC,ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHODiplomatic representation in US:no formal diplomatic relations; the Bhutanese mission to the UN in NewYork has consular jurisdiction in the USconsulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact ismaintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India)Flag:divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the uppertriangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along thedividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from thehoist side
@Bhutan, Economy
Overview:The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based onagriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% ofthe population and account for about 50% of GDP. Rugged mountainsdominate the terrain and make the building of roads and otherinfrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely alignedwith that of India through strong trade and monetary links. Theindustrial sector is small and technologically backward, with mostproduction of the cottage industry type. Most development projects,such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan'shydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are its mostimportant natural resources; however, the government limits the numberof tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much ofthe impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies.Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralizeddevelopment planning and greater private initiative. The governmentprivatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its traderegime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industriallicensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreasedfrom 13% in 1988 to about 10% in 1992.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:5% (FY93 est.)National product per capita:$700 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):11% (October 1993)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$100 millionexpenditures:$112 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million (FY92est.)note:the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budgetexpendituresExports:$66 million (f.o.b., FY93 est.)commodities:cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (toIndia), precious stones, spicespartners:India 82%, Bangladesh, SingaporeImports:$125 million (c.i.f., FY93 est.)commodities:fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabricspartners:India 60%, Japan, Germany, US, UKExternal debt:$141 million (June 1993)Industrial production:growth rate NA%; accounts for 8% of GDP; primarily cottage industryand home based handicraftsElectricity:capacity:336,000 kWproduction:1.5422 billion kWhconsumption per capita:2,203 kWh (25.8% is exported to India leaving 1,633 kWh per capita;1990-91)Industries:cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calciumcarbideAgriculture:accounts for 45% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animalhusbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains; otherproduction - rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products,eggsEconomic aid:recipient:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $115 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $11 millionCurrency:1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legaltenderExchange rates:ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 31.370 (January 1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918(1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989); note - theBhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupeeFiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Bhutan, Communications
Highways:total:2,165 kmpaved:NAunpaved:gravel 1,703 kmundifferentiated:462 kmAirports:total:2usable:2with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2Telecommunications:domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones inuse; international telephone and telegraph service is by land linethrough India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990); broadcaststations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
@Bhutan, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, MilitiaManpower availability:males age 15-49 424,558; fit for military service 226,851; reachmilitary age (18) annually 17,310 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Bolivia, Geography
Location:Central South America, between Brazil and ChileMap references:South America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1,098,580 sq kmland area:1,084,390 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than three times the size of MontanaLand boundaries:total 6,743 km, Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since theAtacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over RioLauca water rightsClimate:varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiaridTerrain:rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills,lowland plains of the Amazon BasinNatural resources:tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, ironore, lead, gold, timberLand use:arable land:3%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:25%forest and woodland:52%other:20%Irrigated land:1,650 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; overgrazing; soilerosion; desertification; industrial pollution of water supplies usedfor drinking and irrigationnatural hazards:flooding in the northeast (March to April)international agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, butnot ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, MarineLife Conservation, Tropical TimberNote:landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigablelake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru; cold, thin air of high plateau isobstacle to efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activityby those unaccustomed to it from birth
@Bolivia, People
Population:7,719,445 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.28% (1994 est.)Birth rate:32.22 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:8.37 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:73.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:63.31 yearsmale:60.86 yearsfemale:65.88 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:4.21 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Bolivian(s)adjective:BolivianEthnic divisions:Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed European and Indian ancestry)25%-30%, European 5%-15%Religions:Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)Languages:Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:78%male:85%female:71%Labor force:3.54 millionby occupation:agriculture NA, services and utilities 20%, manufacturing, mining andconstruction 7% (1993)
@Bolivia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Boliviaconventional short form:Bolivialocal long form:Republica de Bolivialocal short form:BoliviaDigraph:BLType:republicCapital:La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat ofjudiciary)Administrative divisions:9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca,Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, TarijaIndependence:6 August 1825 (from Spain)National holiday:Independence Day, 6 August (1825)Constitution:2 February 1967Legal system:based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age,universal and compulsory (single)Executive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993);Vice President Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993);election last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held May 1997); results -Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (MNR) 34%, Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN/MIRalliance) 20%, Carlos PALENQUE Aviles (CONDEPA) 14%, Max FERNANDEZRojas (UCS) 13%, Antonio ARANIBAR Quiroga (MBL) 5%; no candidatereceived a majority of the popular vote; Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA wona congressional runoff election on 4 August 1993 after forming acoalition with Max FERNANDEZ and Antonio ARANIBARcabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president from panel proposed by the SenateLegislative branch:bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):elections last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held May 1997); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (130 total) MNR 52, UCS 20, ADN17, MIR 17, CONDEPA 13, MBL 7, ARBOL 1, ASD 1, EJE 1, PDC 1Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores):elections last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held May 1997); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) MNR 17, ADN 4, MIR 4,CONDEPA 1, UCS 1Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)Political parties and leaders:Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), Jaime PAZ Zamora;Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Jorge LANDIVAR; NationalistRevolutionary Movement (MNR), Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA; CivicSolidarity Union (UCS), Max FERNANDEZ Rojas; Conscience of theFatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles; Free Bolivia Movement(MBL), Antonio ARANIBAR; Tupac Katari Revolutionary LiberationMovement (MRTK-L), Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde; Christian DemocratParty (PDC), Jorge AGREDAMember of:AG, ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA,LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Andres PETRICEVICchancery:3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 483-4410 through 4412FAX:(202) 328-3712consulate(s) general:Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Charles R. BOWERSembassy:Banco Popular del Peru Building, corner of Calle Mercado and CalleColon, La Pazmailing address:P. O. Box 425, La Paz, or APO AA 34032telephone:[591] (2) 350251 or 350120FAX:[591] (2) 359875Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with thecoat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag ofGhana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in theyellow band
@Bolivia, Economy
Overview:With its long history of semifeudal social controls, dependence onvolatile prices for its mineral exports, and bouts of hyperinflation,Bolivia has remained one of the poorest and least developed LatinAmerican countries. However, Bolivia has experienced generallyimproving economic conditions since the PAZ Estenssoro administration(1985-89) introduced market-oriented policies which reduced inflationfrom 11,700% in 1985 to about 20% in 1988. PAZ Estenssoro was followedas President by Jaime PAZ Zamora (1989-93) who continued thefree-market policies of his predecessor, despite opposition from hisown party and from Bolivia's once powerful labor movement. Bymaintaining fiscal discipline, PAZ Zamora helped reduce inflation to9.3% in 1993, while GDP grew by an annual average of 3.25% during histenure. Inaugurated in August 1993, President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA hasvowed to advance government market-oriented economic reforms he helpedlaunch as PAZ Estenssoro's Planning Minister. A major privatizationbill was passed by the Bolivian legislature in late March 1994.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $15.8 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:2.2% (1993)National product per capita:$2,100 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):9.3% (1993)Unemployment rate:5.8% (1993)Budget:revenues:$3.19 billionexpenditures:$3.19 billion, including capital expenditures of $552.4 million (1994est.)Exports:$752 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:metals 35%, natural gas 26%, other 39% (coffee, soybeans, sugar,cotton, timber)partners:US 16% , Argentina (1992 est.)Imports:$1.17 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:food, petroleum, consumer goods, capital goodspartners:US 23.3% (1992)External debt:$3.8 billion (January 1994)Industrial production:growth rate 7% (1992); accounts for almost 30% of GDPElectricity:capacity:865,000 kWproduction:1.834 billion kWhconsumption per capita:250 kWh (1992)Industries:mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverage, tobacco, handicrafts,clothing; illicit drug industry reportedly produces 15% of itsrevenuesAgriculture:accounts for about 21% of GDP (including forestry and fisheries);principal commodities - coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice,potatoes, timber; self-sufficient in foodIllicit drugs:world's second-largest producer of coca (after Peru) with an estimated45,500 hectares under cultivation in 1992; voluntary and forcederadication program unable to prevent production from rising to 80,300metric tons in 1992 from 78,200 tons in 1989; government considers allbut 12,000 hectares illicit; intermediate coca products and cocaineexported to or through Colombia and Brazil to the US and otherinternational drug marketsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $990 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$2.025 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $340 millionCurrency:1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavosExchange rates:bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 4.5 (March 1994), 4.4604 (November 1993),3.9005 (1992), 3.5806 (1991), 3.1727 (1990), 2.6917 (1989), 2.3502(1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Bolivia, Communications
Railroads:3,684 km total, all narrow gauge; 3,652 km 1.000-meter gauge and 32 km0.760-meter gauge, all government owned, single trackHighways:total:42,815 kmpaved:1,865 kmunpaved:gravel 12,000 km; improved/unimproved earth 28,950 kmInland waterways:10,000 km of commercially navigable waterwaysPipelines:crude oil 1,800 km; petroleum products 580 km; natural gas 1,495 kmPorts:none; maritime outlets are Arica and Antofagasta in Chile, Mataraniand Ilo in PeruMerchant marine:1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,214 GRT/6,390 DWTAirports:total:1,395usable:1,188with permanent-surface runways:9with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:7with runways 1,220-2,439 m:165Telecommunications:very poor telephone service for the general population; 144,300telephones - 18.7 telephones per 1,000 persons; microwave radio relaysystem being expanded; improved international services; broadcaststations - 129 AM, no FM, 43 TV, 68 shortwave; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station
@Bolivia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy includes Marines (La Fuerza NavalBoliviana), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force( Policia Nacional de Bolivia)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 1,835,661; fit for military service 1,194,077; reachmilitary age (19) annually 79,580 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $130.48 million; NA% of GDP (1994 est.)
@Bosnia and Herzegovina
HeaderNote:Bosnia and Herzegovina is suffering from interethnic civil strifewhich began in March 1992 after the Government of Bosnia andHerzegovina held a referendum on independence. Bosnia's Serbs -supported by neighboring Serbia - responded with armed resistanceaimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joiningSerb-held areas to a "greater Serbia." Since the onset of theconflict, which has driven approximately half of the pre-warpopulation of 4.4 million from their homes, both the Bosnian Serbs andthe Bosnian Croats have asserted control of more than three-quartersof the territory formerly under the control of the Government ofBosnia and Herzegovina. The UN and the EU are continuing to try tomediate a plan for peace. In March 1994 Bosnian Muslims and BosnianCroats signed an agreement in Washington, DC, creating a Federation ofBosnia and Herzegovina, which is to include territories in whichMuslims or Croats predominated, according to the 1991 census. BosnianSerbs refused to become a part of this Federation.
@Bosnia and Herzegovina, Geography
Location:Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, betweenCroatia and Serbia and MontenegroMap references:Africa, Arctic Region, Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe,Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:51,233 sq kmland area:51,233 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than TennesseeLand boundaries:total 1,459 km, Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km (312 kmwith Serbia; 215 km with Montenegro)Coastline:20 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200-m depthexclusive economic zone:12 nmexclusive fishing zone:12 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:as of May 1994, members of the Bosnian Serb armed factions, desirousof establishing a separate state linked with neighboring Serbia,occupied 70% of Bosnia after having killed or driven out non-Serbinhabitants; the Bosnian Croats, occupied and declared an independentstate in an additional 10% of Bosnia in 1993, but in March 1994, thisfaction and the Bosnian Government settled their dispute and enteredinto a bicommunal Federation; a Bosnian Government army commander whoopposes the leadership of Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC is leading aninsurrection in the government-held enclave of BihacClimate:hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, coolsummers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coastTerrain:mountains and valleysNatural resources:coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, timber, wood products, copper,chromium, lead, zincLand use:arable land:20%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:25%forest and woodland:36%other:17%Irrigated land:NA sq kmEnvironment:current issues:air pollution from metallurgical plants; water scarce; sites fordisposing of urban waste are limited; widespread casualties anddestruction of infrastructure because of civil strifenatural hazards:subject to frequent and destructive earthquakesinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection
@Bosnia and Herzegovina, People
Population: 4,651,485 (July 1994 est.) note: all data dealing with population is subject to considerable error because of the dislocations caused by military action and ethnic cleansing Population growth rate: 0.69% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.33 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.39 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.13 years male: 72.43 years female: 78.02 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Ethnic divisions: Muslim 44%, Serb 31%, Croat 17%, other 8% Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 99% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 1,026,254 by occupation: agriculture 2%, industry, mining 45% (1991 est.)
@Bosnia and Herzegovina, Government
Note:The US recognizes the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. TheFederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a new government being formedby the Muslims and Croats. On 31 May 1994 a Croat president, KresimirZUBAK, and a Muslim vice president, Ejup GANIC, were elected. HarisSILAJDZIC, who is prime minister of the Republic, is also the primeminister of the Federation.Names:conventional long form:Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovinaconventional short form:Bosnia and Herzegovinalocal long form:Republika Bosna i Hercegovinalocal short form:Bosna i HercegovinaDigraph:BKType:emerging democracyCapital:SarajevoAdministrative divisions:109 districts (opstinas, singular - opstina) Banovici, Banja Luka,Bihac, Bijeljina, Bileca, Bosanska Dubica, Bosanska Gradiska, BosanskaKrupa, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Novi, Bosanski Petrovac, BosanskiSamac, Bosansko Grahovo, Bratunac, Brcko, Breza, Bugojno, Busovaca,Cazin, Cajnice, Capljina, Celinac, Citluk, Derventa, Doboj, DonjiVakuf, Foca, Fojnica, Gacko, Glamoc, Gorazde, Gornji Vakuf, Gracanica,Gradacac, Grude, Han Pijesak, Jablanica, Jajce, Kakanj, Kalesija,Kalinovik, Kiseljak, Kladanj, Kljuc, Konjic, Kotor Varos, Kresevo,Kupres, Laktasi, Listica, Livno, Lopare, Lukavac, Ljubinje, Ljubuski,Maglaj, Modrica, Mostar, Mrkonjic-Grad, Neum, Nevesinje, Odzak, Olovo,Orasje, Posusje, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Prozor, (Pucarevo) Novi Travnik,Rogatica, Rudo, Sanski Most, Sarajevo-Centar, Sarajevo-Hadzici,Sarajevo-Ilidza, Sarajevo-Ilijas, Sarajevo-Novi Grad, Sarajevo-Novo,Sarajevo-Pale, Sarajevo-Stari Grad, Sarajevo-Trnovo, Sarajevo-Vogosca,Skender Vakuf, Sokolac, Srbac, Srebrenica, Srebrenik, Stolac,Sekovici, Sipovo, Teslic, Tesanj, Drvar, Duvno, Travnik, Trebinje,Tuzla, Ugljevik, Vares, Velika Kladusa, Visoko, Visegrad, Vitez,Vlasenica, Zavidovici, Zenica, Zvornik, Zepce, Zivinicenote:currently under negotiation with the assistance of internationalmediatorsIndependence:NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia)National holiday:NAConstitution:promulgated in 1974 (under the Communists), amended 1989, 1990, and1991; the Assembly planned to draft a new constitution in 1991, beforeconditions deteriorated; constitution of Federation of Bosnia andHerzegovina (including Muslim and Croatian controlled parts ofRepublic) ratified April 1994Legal system:based on civil law systemSuffrage:16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since 20 December 1990), other members ofthe collective presidency: Ejup GANIC (since NA November 1990), NijazDURAKOVIC (since NA October 1993), Stjepan KLJUJIC (since NA October1993), Ivo KOMSIC (since NA October 1993), Mirko PEJANOVIC (since NAJune 1992), Tatjana LJUJIC-MIJATOVIC (since NA December 1992)head of government:Prime Minister Haris SILAJDZIC (since NA October 1993); Deputy PrimeMinister Edib BUKVIC (since NA October 1993)cabinet:executive body of ministers; members of, and responsible to, theNational AssemblyLegislative branch:bicameral National AssemblyChamber of Municipalities (Vijece Opeina):elections last held November-December 1990 (next to be held NA);percent of vote by party NA; seats - (110 total) SDA 43, SDS BiH 38,HDZ BiH 23, Party of Democratic Changes 4, DSS 1, SPO 1Chamber of Citizens (Vijece Gradanstvo):elections last held November-December 1990 (next to be held NA);percent of vote by party NA; seats - (130 total) SDA 43, SDS BiH 34,HDZ BiH 21, Party of Democratic Changes 15, SRSJ BiH 12, MBO 2, DSS 1,DSZ 1, LS 1note:legislative elections for Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina areslated for late 1994Judicial branch:Supreme Court, Constitutional CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Alija IZETBEGOVIC; CroatianDemocratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), KresimirZUBAK;Serbian Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDS BiH), RadovanKARADZIC, president; Muslim-Bosnian Organization (MBO), AdilZULFIKARPASIC, president; Democratic Party of Socialists (DSS), NijazDURAKOVIC, president; Party of Democratic Changes, leader NA; SerbianMovement for Renewal (SPO), Milan TRIVUNCIC; Alliance of Reform Forcesof Yugoslavia for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SRSJ BiH), Dr. NenadKECMANOVIC, president; Democratic League of Greens (DSZ), DrazenPETROVIC; Liberal Party (LS), Rasim KADIC, presidentOther political or pressure groups:NAMember of:CEI, CSCE, ECE, ICAO, ILO, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant); Minister-Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim SevenALKALAJchancery:Suite 760, 1707 L Street NW, Washington, DC 10036telephone:(202) 833-3612, 3613, and 3615FAX:(202) 833-2061consulate(s) general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Victor JACKOVICHembassy:address NAmailing address:NAtelephone:NAFAX:NAFlag:white with a large blue shield; the shield contains white Romancrosses with a white diagonal band running from the upper hoist cornerto the lower fly side
@Bosnia and Herzegovina, Economy
Overview:Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation.Although agriculture has been almost all in private hands, farms havebeen small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally has been anet importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, onereflection of the rigidities of Communist central planning andmanagement. Tito had pushed the development of military industries inthe republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a large share ofYugoslavia's defense plants. As of April 1994, Bosnia and Herzegovinawas being torn apart by the continued bitter interethnic warfare thathas caused production to plummet, unemployment and inflation to soar,and human misery to multiply. No reliable economic statistics for1992-93 are available, although output clearly has fallensubstantially below the levels of earlier years.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $NANational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$NAInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$NAcommodities:NApartners:NAImports:$NAcommodities:NApartners:NAExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%; production is sharply down because of interethnic andinterrepublic warfare (1991-93)Electricity:capacity:NA kWproduction:NA kWhconsumption per capita:NA kWhIndustries:steel production, mining (coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, andbauxite), manufacturing (vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products,wooden furniture, 40% of former Yugoslavia's armaments including tankand aircraft assembly, domestic appliances), oil refining (1991)Agriculture:accounted for 9.0% of GDP in 1989; regularly produces less than 50% offood needs; the foothills of northern Bosnia support orchards,vineyards, livestock, and some wheat and corn; long winters and heavyprecipitation leach soil fertility reducing agricultural output in themountains; farms are mostly privately held, small, and not veryproductive (1991)Illicit drugs:NAEconomic aid:$NACurrency:1 dinar = 100 para; Croatian dinar used in Croat-held area, presumablyto be replaced by new Croatian kuna; old and new Serbian dinars usedin Serb-held area; hard currencies probably supplanting localcurrencies in areas held by Bosnian governmentExchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
@Bosnia and Herzegovina, Communications
Railroads:NA kmHighways:total:21,168 kmpaved:11,436 kmunpaved:gravel 8,146 km; earth 1,586 km (1991)Inland waterways:NA kmPipelines:crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note - pipelines nowdisruptedPorts:coastal - none; inland - Bosanski Brod on the Sava RiverAirports:total:28usable:24with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3659:0with runways 2440-3659 m:3with runways 1220-2439 m:6Telecommunications:telephone and telegraph network is in need of modernization andexpansion, many urban areas being below average compared with servicesin other former Yugoslav republics; 727,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 9 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 840,000 radios; 1,012,094 TVs; satelliteground stations - none
@Bosnia and Herzegovina, Defense Forces
Branches:ArmyManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,298,102; fit for military service 1,054,068; reachmilitary age (19) annually 38,283 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Botswana, Geography
Location:Southern Africa, north of South AfricaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:600,370 sq kmland area:585,370 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than TexasLand boundaries:total 4,013 km, Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:short section of boundary with Namibia is indefinite; quadripoint withNamibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; recent dispute withNamibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe)RiverClimate:semiarid; warm winters and hot summersTerrain:predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert insouthwestNatural resources:diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore,silverLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:75%forest and woodland:2%other:21%Irrigated land:20 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:overgrazing; desertification; water scarcitynatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -BiodiversityNote:landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
@Botswana, People
Population:1,359,352 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.45% (1994 est.)Birth rate:32.19 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:7.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:39.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:63.05 yearsmale:60.03 yearsfemale:66.16 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:4.06 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)adjective:Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)Ethnic divisions:Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi 4%, white 1%Religions:indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%Languages:English (official), SetswanaLiteracy:age 15 and over able to read and write simple sentences (1990 est.)total population:23%male:32%female:16%Labor force:428,000 (1992)by occupation:220,000 formal sector employees, most others are engaged in cattleraising and subsistence agriculture (1992 est.); 14,300 are employedin various mines in South Africa (March 1992)
@Botswana, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Botswanaconventional short form:Botswanaformer:BechuanalandDigraph:BCType:parliamentary republicCapital:GaboroneAdministrative divisions:10 districts; Central, Chobe, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng,Ngamiland, North-East, South-East, Southern; in addition, there are 4town councils - Francistown, Gaborone, Lobaste, Selebi-PhikweIndependence:30 September 1966 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day, 30 September (1966)Constitution:March 1965, effective 30 September 1966Legal system:based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial reviewlimited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:21 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice PresidentFestus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); election last held 7 October 1989(next to be held October 1994); results - President Sir KetumileMASIRE was reelected by the National Assemblycabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentHouse of Chiefs:is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of chiefs of the 8principal tribes, 4 elected subchiefs, and 3 members selected by theother 12National Assembly:elections last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (38 total of which 34are elected and 4 are appointed) BDP 31, BNF 3, unfilled seats pendingnew elections 4Judicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealPolitical parties and leaders:Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Sir Ketumile MASIRE; BotswanaNational Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA; Botswana People's Party (BPP),Knight MARIPE; Botswana Independence Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHOMember of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ,UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Botsweletse Kingsley SEBELEchancery:Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 244-4990 or 4991FAX:(202) 244-4164US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Howard JETERembassy:address NA, Gaboronemailing address:P. O. Box 90, Gaboronetelephone:[267] 353-982FAX:[267] 356-947Flag:light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center
@Botswana, Economy
Overview:The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops.Agriculture today provides a livelihood for more than 80% of thepopulation, but produces only about 50% of food needs. The drivingforce behind the rapid economic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has beenthe mining industry. This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds,has gone from generating 25% of GDP in 1980 to 50% in 1991. No othersector has experienced such growth, especially not agriculture, whichis plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils. The unemployment rateremains a problem at 25%. Although diamond production was downslightly in 1992, substantial gains in coal output and manufacturinghelped boost the economy. Recovery in sluggish diamond markets insecond half 1993 helped Botswana achieve moderate growth of 3% for theyear.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:3% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$4,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):14% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:25% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$1.7 billionexpenditures:$1.99 billion, including capital expenditures of $652 million (FY94)Exports:$1.7 billion (f.o.b. 1992)commodities:diamonds 78%, copper and nickel 6%, meat 5%partners:Switzerland, UK, SACU (Southern African Customs Union)Imports:$1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleumproductspartners:Switzerland, SACU (Southern African Customs Union), UK, USExternal debt:$344 million (December 1991)Industrial production:growth rate 6.8% (FY91); accounts for about 53% of GDP, includingminingElectricity:capacity:220,000 kWproduction:901 million kWh (in addition 228,000,000 kWh were imported)consumption per capita:874 kWh (1992 est.)Industries:mining of diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash;livestock processingAgriculture:accounts for only 5% of GDP; subsistence farming predominates; cattleraising supports 50% of the population; must import up to of 80% offood needsEconomic aid:recipient:US aid (1992), $13 million; Norway (1992), $16 million; Sweden (1992),$15.5 million; Germany (1992), $3.6 million; EC/Lome-IV (1992), $3-6million in grants; $28.7 million in long-term projects (1992)Currency:1 pula (P) = 100 thebeExchange rates:pula (P) per US$1 - 3.1309 (January 1994), 2.4190 (1993), 2.1327(1992), 2.0173 (1991), 1.8601 (1990), 2.0125 (1989)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March