@Central African Republic, Economy
Overview:Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, remains the backbone ofthe CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in thecountryside. In 1990 the agricultural sector generated about 42% ofGDP. Timber accounted for about 26% of export earnings and the diamondindustry for 54%. Important constraints to economic developmentinclude the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system,and a weak human resource base. Multilateral and bilateral developmentassistance, particularly from France, plays a major role in providingcapital for new investment.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.5 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-3% (1990 est.)National product per capita:$800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):-3% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:30% (1988 est.) in BanguiBudget:revenues:$175 millionexpenditures:$312 million, including capital expenditures of $122 million (1991est.)Exports:$123.5 million (f.o.b.1992)commodities:diamonds, cotton, coffee, timber, tobaccopartners:France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, USImports:$165.1 million (f.o.b.1992)commodities:food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment,motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrialproductspartners:France, other EC countries, Japan, AlgeriaExternal debt:$859 million (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of GDPElectricity:capacity:40,000 kWproduction:95 million kWhconsumption per capita:30 kWh (1991)Industries:diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly ofbicycles and motorcyclesAgriculture:accounts for 42% of GDP; self-sufficient in food production except forgrain; commercial crops - cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops- manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananasEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $52 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $1.6billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communist countries(1970-89), $38 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
@Central African Republic, Communications
Highways:total:22,000 kmpaved:bituminous 458 kmunpaved:improved earth 10,542 km; unimproved earth 11,000 kmInland waterways:800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draftdugouts; Oubangui is the most important riverAirports:total:65usable:51with permanent-surface runways:3with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:20Telecommunications:fair system; network relies primarily on radio relay links, withlow-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication also used; broadcaststations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Central African Republic, Defense Forces
Branches:Central African Army (including Republican Guard), Air Force, NationalGendarmerie, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 701,728; fit for military service 367,264Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $23 million, 1.8% of GDP (1989 est.)
@Chad, Geography
Location:Central Africa, between the Central African Republic and LibyaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1.284 million sq kmland area:1,259,200 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than three times the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 5,968 km, Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km,Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 thatthe 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad,and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya hadwithdrawn its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but as of June1994 still maintained an airfield in the disputed area; demarcation ofinternational boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led toborder incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratificationby Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and NigeriaClimate:tropical in south, desert in northTerrain:broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest,lowlands in southNatural resources:petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron,kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)Land use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:36%forest and woodland:11%other:51%Irrigated land:100 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:desertificationnatural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts;subject to locust plaguesinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, butnot ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, MarineDumpingNote:landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
@Chad, People
Population:5,466,771 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:2.15% (1994 est.)Birth rate:42.12 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:20.59 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:131.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:40.79 yearsmale:39.7 yearsfemale:41.94 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:5.33 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Chadian(s)adjective:ChadianEthnic divisions:north and center:Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi,Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba)south:non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa)nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are FrenchReligions:Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs, animism 25%Languages:French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), Sango (insouth), more than 100 different languages and dialects are spokenLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic (1990 est.)total population:30%male:42%female:18%Labor force:NAby occupation:agriculture 85% (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming, herding, andfishing)
@Chad, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad local short form: Tchad Digraph: CD Type: republic Capital: N'Djamena Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day 11 August (1960) Constitution: 22 December 1989, suspended 3 December 1990; Provisional National Charter 1 March 1991; constitutional commission drafting new constitution to submit to transitional parliament for ratification in April 1994 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: universal at age NA Executive branch: chief of state: President Col. Idriss DEBY, since 4 December 1990 (after seizing power on 3 December 1990 - transitional government's mandate expires April 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Kassire Delwa KOUMAKOYE (since 17 November 1993) cabinet: Council of State; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Consultative Council (Conceil National Consultatif): elections last held 8 July 1990; disbanded 3 December 1990 and replaced by the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30 members appointed by President DEBY on 8 March 1991; this, in turn, was replaced by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition) elected by a specially convened Sovereign National Conference on 6 April 1993 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS; former dissident group), Idriss DEBY, chairman note: President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new constitution, and free elections by April 1994, has postponed these initiatives for another year; there are numerous dissident groups and 26 opposition political parties Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Ambassador KOUMBARIA Laoumaye Mekonyo died on 16 May 1994 chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 462-4009 FAX: (202) 265-1937 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence POPE embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 62-18, 40-09, or 62-11 FAX: [235] (51) 33-72 Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Overview: Climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource endowment, and lack of infrastructure make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is hobbled by political turmoil, conflict with Libya, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the economy has shown little progress in recent years in overcoming a severe setback brought on by civil war in the late 1980s. Over 80% of the work force is involved in subsistence farming and fishing. Cotton is the major cash crop, accounting for at least half of exports. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, especially food credits, given chronic shortages in several regions. The government hopes that discovery of several oil deposits near Lake Chad will lead to economic revival and a windfall in government revenues by 2000. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.7 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.4% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2%-3% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $115 million expenditures: $412 million, including capital expenditures of $218 million (1991 est.) Exports: $193.9 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: cotton 48%, cattle 35%, textiles 5%, fish partners: France, Nigeria, Cameroon Imports: $294.1 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; note - excludes military equipment partners: US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon External debt: $492 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (1989 est.); accounts for nearly 15% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 70 million kWh consumption per capita: 15 kWh (1991) Industries: cotton textile mills, slaughterhouses, brewery, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes Agriculture: accounts for about 45% of GDP; largely subsistence farming; cotton most important cash crop; food crops include sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, camels; self-sufficient in food in years of adequate rainfall Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $198 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $28 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $80 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange 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 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: calendar year
@Chad, Communications
Highways:total:31,322 kmpaved:bituminous 32 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone 7,300 km; earth 23,990 kmInland waterways:2,000 km navigableAirports:total:68usable:58with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:3with runways 1,220-2,439 m:27Telecommunications:fair system of radiocommunication stations for intercity links;broadcast stations - 6 AM, 1 FM, limited TV service; many facilitiesare inoperative; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Chad, Defense Forces
Branches:Army (includes Ground Forces, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), RepublicanGuardManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,276,167; fit for military service 663,326; reachmilitary age (20) annually 54,027 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $58 million, 5.6% of GDP (1989)
@Chile, Geography
Location:Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean betweenArgentina and PeruMap references:South America, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:756,950 sq kmland area:748,800 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than twice the size of Montananote:includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y GomezLand boundaries:total 6,171 km, Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 kmCoastline:6,435 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 nmexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:short section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite;Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Oceansince the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Boliviaover Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (ChileanAntarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claimsClimate:temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in southTerrain:low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in eastNatural resources:copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenumLand use:arable land:7%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:16%forest and woodland:21%other:56%Irrigated land:12,650 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollutionfrom untreated sewage; deforestation contributing to loss ofbiodiversity; soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards:subject to severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamisinternational agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands,Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and PacificOceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); AtacamaDesert one of world's driest regions
@Chile, People
Population:13,950,557 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.51% (1994 est.)Birth rate:20.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:74.51 yearsmale:71.52 yearsfemale:77.65 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Chilean(s)adjective:ChileanEthnic divisions:European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%, other 2%Religions:Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, JewishLanguages:SpanishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:93%male:94%female:93%Labor force:4.728 millionby occupation:services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry and commerce 33.8%,agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%, construction6.4% (1990)
@Chile, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Chileconventional short form:Chilelocal long form:Republica de Chilelocal short form:ChileDigraph:CIType:republicCapital:SantiagoAdministrative divisions:13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General CarlosIbanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo,Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de laAntartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaisonote:the US does not recognize claims to AntarcticaIndependence:18 September 1810 (from Spain)National holiday:Independence Day, 18 September (1810)Constitution:11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989Legal system:based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codesinfluenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislativeacts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsoryExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994) election lastheld 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1999); results -Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other17.6%cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)Senate (Senado):election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1997);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total, 38 elected)Concertation of Parties for Democracy 21 (PDC 13, PS 4, PPD 3, PR 1),Union for the Progress of Chile 15 (RN 11, UDI 3, UCC 1), right-wingindependents 10Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1997);results - Concertation of Parties for Democracy 53.95% (PDC 27.16%, PS12.01%, PPD 11.82%, PR 2.96%,); Union for the Progress of Chile 30.57%(RN 15.25%, UDI 12.13%, UCC 3.19%); seats - (120 total) Concertationof Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wingindependent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15, UCC2), right-wing independents 3Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)Political parties and leaders:Concertation of Parties for Democracy consists mainly of four parties:Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Gutenberg MARTINEZ; Socialist Party(PS), Camilo ESCALONA; Party for Democracy (PPD), Victor ManuelREBOLLEDO; Radical Party (PR), Carlos GONZALEZ Marquez; Union for theProgress of Chile consists mainly of three parties: National Renewal(RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), JovinoNOVOA; Center Center Union (UCC), Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZOther political or pressure groups:revitalized university student federations at all major universities;labor - United Labor Central (CUT) includes trade unionists from thecountry's five largest labor confederations; Roman Catholic ChurchMember of:CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO,ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador John BIEHL del Riochancery:1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone:(202) 785-1746FAX:(202) 887-5579consulate(s) general:Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco,and San Juan (Puerto Rico)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Curtis W. KAMMANembassy:Codina Building, 1343 Agustinas, Santiagomailing address:Unit 4127, Santiago; APO AA 34033telephone:[56] (2) 671-0133FAX:[56] (2) 699-1141Flag:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a bluesquare the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of thewhite band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center;design was based on the US flag
@Chile, Economy
Overview:Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy, with thedegree of government intervention varying according to the philosophyof the different regimes. Under the center-left government ofPresident AYLWIN, which took power in March 1990, spending on socialwelfare has risen steadily. At the same time business investment,exports and consumer spending have also grown substantially. The newpresident, FREI, who takes office in March 1994, is expected toemphasize social spending even more. Growth in 1991-93 has averaged 8%annually, with an estimated one million Chileans having moved out ofpoverty in the last four years. Copper remains vital to the health ofthe economy; Chile is the world's largest producer and exporter ofcopper.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $96 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:5.8% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$7,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12.3% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:5.1% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$10.9 billionexpenditures:$10.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.2 billion (1993)Exports:$10 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:copper 41%, other metals and minerals 8.7%, wood products 7.1%, fishand fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1991)partners:EC 29%, Japan 17%, US 16%, Argentina 5%, Brazil 5% (1992)Imports:$9.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum10%, foodstuffs 5.7%partners:EC 24%, US 21%, Brazil 10%, Japan 10% (1992)External debt:$19.7 billion (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 9.3% (1992 est.); accounts for 34% of GDPElectricity:capacity:5,769,000 kWproduction:22.01 billion kWhconsumption per capita:1,630 kWh (1992)Industries:copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel,wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textilesAgriculture:accounts for about 7% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); majorexporter of fruit, fish, and timber products; major crops - wheat,corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, deciduous fruit; livestockproducts - beef, poultry, wool; self-sufficient in most foods; 1991fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons; net agricultural importerIllicit drugs:a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US andEuropeEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $521 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $386 millionCurrency:1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 430.57 (January 1994), 404.35 (1993),362.59 (1992), 349.37 (1991), 305.06 (1990), 267.16 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Chile, Communications
Railroads:7,766 km total; 3,974 km 1.676-meter gauge, 150 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge, 3,642 km 1.000-meter gauge; 1,865 km 1.676-meter gaugeand 80 km 1.000-meter gauge electrifiedHighways:total:79,993 kmpaved:10,984 kmunpaved:gravel or earth 68,615 km (1990)Inland waterways:725 kmPipelines:crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 kmPorts:Antofagasta, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, SanAntonio, Talcahuano, AricaMerchant marine:31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 449,253 GRT/755,821 DWT, bulk10, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, combination ore/oil 3, liquefied gastanker 3, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3note:in addition, 1 naval tanker and 1 military transport are sometimesused commerciallyAirports:total:392usable:349with permanent-surface runways:47with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:13with runways 1,220-2,439 m:58Telecommunications:modern telephone system based on extensive microwave radio relayfacilities; 768,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 159 AM, no FM,131 TV, 11 shortwave; satellite ground stations - 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT and 3 domestic
@Chile, Defense Forces
Branches:Army of the Nation, National Navy (including Naval Air, Coast Guard,and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile (NationalPolice), Investigative PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 3,705,321; fit for military service 2,759,130; reachmilitary age (19) annually 120,512 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991 est.)
@China
Header Affiliation: (also see separate Taiwan entry)
@China, Geography
Location:Eastern Asia, between India and MongoliaMap references:Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:9,596,960 sq kmland area:9,326,410 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than the USLand boundaries:total 22,143.34 km, Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 kmCoastline:14,500 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow Seaterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:boundary with India; bilateral negotiations are under way to resolvedisputed sections of the boundary with Russia; boundary withTajikistan in dispute; a short section of the boundary with NorthKorea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the SpratlyIslands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possiblyBrunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin;Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/DiaoyuTai), as does TaiwanClimate:extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in northTerrain:mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, andhills in eastNatural resources:coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony,manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc,uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)Land use:arable land:10%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:31%forest and woodland:14%other:45%Irrigated land:478,220 sq km (1991 - Chinese statistic)Environment:current issues:air pollution from the overwhelming use of coal as a fuel, producesacid rain which is damaging forests; water pollution from industrialeffluents; many people do not have access to safe drinking water; lessthan 10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated lossof one-third of agricultural land since 1957 to soil erosion andeconomic development; desertificationnatural hazards:frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and easterncoasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakesinternational agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Whaling; signed,but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the SeaNote:world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)
@China, People
Population:1,190,431,106 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.08% (1994 est.)Birth rate:18.1 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:52.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.91 yearsmale:66.93 yearsfemale:68.99 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.84 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Chinese (singular and plural)adjective:ChineseEthnic divisions:Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu,Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%Religions:Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1% (est.)note:officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclecticLanguages:Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijingdialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan(Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages(see Ethnic divisions entry)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:78%male:87%female:68%Labor force:567.4 millionby occupation:agriculture and forestry 60%, industry and commerce 25%, constructionand mining 5%, social services 5%, other 5% (1990 est.)
@China, Government
Names:conventional long form:People's Republic of Chinaconventional short form:Chinalocal long form:Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguolocal short form:Zhong GuoAbbreviation:PRCDigraph:CHType:Communist stateCapital:BeijingAdministrative divisions:23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions*(zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities** (shi, singularand plural); Anhui, Beijing Shi**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*,Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu,Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi,Shandong, Shanghai Shi**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin Shi**, Xinjiang*,Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiangnote:China considers Taiwan its 23rd provinceIndependence:221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing orCh'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People'sRepublic established 1 October 1949)National holiday:National Day, 1 October (1949)Constitution:most recent promulgated 4 December 1982Legal system:a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law;rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codesin effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made toimprove civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993); Vice President RONG Yiren(since 27 March 1993); election last held 27 March 1993 (next to beheld NA 1998); results - JIANG Zemin was nominally elected by theEighth National People's Congresschief of state and head of government (de facto):DENG Xiaoping (since NA 1977)head of government:Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November 1987, Premier since9 April 1988) Vice Premier ZHU Rongji (since 8 April 1991); VicePremier ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991); Vice Premier QIAN Qichen(since 29 March 1993); Vice Premier LI Lanqing (29 March 1993)cabinet:State Council; containing 28 ministers and 8 state commissions andappointed by the National People's Congress (March 1993)Legislative branch:unicameralNational People's Congress:(Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui) elections last held March 1993 (nextto be held March 1998); results - CCP is the only party but there arealso independents; seats - (2,977 total) (elected at county or xianlevel)Judicial branch:Supreme People's CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Chinese Communist Party (CCP), JIANG Zemin, general secretary of theCentral Committee (since 24 June 1989); eight registered small partiescontrolled by CCPOther political or pressure groups:such meaningful opposition as exists consists of loose coalitions,usually within the party and government organization, that vary byissueMember of:AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,LORCS, MINURSO, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UNTSO, UN Trusteeship Council,UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador LI Daoyuchancery:2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 328-2500 through 2502consulate(s) general:Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador J. Stapleton ROYembassy:Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijingmailing address:100600, PSC 461, Box 50, Beijing or FPO AP 96521-0002telephone:[86] (1) 532-3831FAX:[86] (1) 532-3178consulate(s) general:Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, ShenyangFlag:red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellowfive-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle ofthe flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
@China, Economy
Overview: Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has been trying to move the economy from the sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more productive and flexible economy with market elements, but still within the framework of monolithic Communist control. To this end the authorities switched to a system of household responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a strong surge in production, particularly in agriculture in the early 1980s. Industry also has posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment and modern production methods have helped spur production of both domestic and export goods. Aggregate output has more than doubled since 1978. On the darker side, the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. In 1992-93 annual growth of GDP has accelerated, particularly in the coastal areas - to more than 10% annually according to official claims. In late 1993 China's leadership approved additional reforms aimed at giving more play to market-oriented institutions and at strengthening the center's control over the financial system. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to the nation's long-term economic viability. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.61 trillion (1993 estimate based on a 1990 figure from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated by use of official Chinese growth statistics for 1992 and 1993) National product real growth rate: 13.4% (1993) National product per capita: $2,200 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.6% (December 1993 over December 1992) Unemployment rate: 2.3% in urban areas (1992); substantial underemployment Budget: deficit $15.6 billion (1993) Exports: $92 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: textiles, garments, footwear, toys, crude oil partners: Hong Kong, US, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Russia (1993) Imports: $104 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: rolled steel, motor vehicles, textile machinery, oil products partners: Japan, Taiwan, US, Hong Kong, Germany, South Korea (1993) External debt: $80 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 20.8% (1992) Electricity: capacity: 158,690,000 kW production: 740 billion kWh consumption per capita: 630 kWh (1992) Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, consumer durables, food processing Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GNP; among the world's largest producers of rice, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, and pork; commercial crops include cotton, other fibers, and oilseeds; produces variety of livestock products; basically self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 13.35 million metric tons (including fresh water and pond raised) (1991) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium; bulk of production is in Yunnan Province; transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle Economic aid: donor: to less developed countries (1970-89) $7 billion recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $220.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $13.5 billion Currency: 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1 - 8.7000 (January 1994), 5.7620 (1993), 5.5146 (1992), 5.3234 (1991), 4.7832 (1990), 3.7651 (1989) note: beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotes the midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day's prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market Fiscal year: calendar year
@China, Communications
Railroads:total about 64,000 km; 54,000 km of common carrier lines, of which53,400 km are 1.435-meter gauge (standard) and 600 km are 1.000-metergauge (narrow); 11,200 km of standard gauge common carrier route aredouble tracked and 6,900 km are electrified (1990); an additional10,000 km of varying gauges (0.762 to 1.067-meter) are dedicatedindustrial linesHighways:total:1.029 million kmpaved:170,000 kmunpaved:gravel/improved earth 648,000 km; unimproved earth 211,000 km (1990)Inland waterways:138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigablePipelines:crude oil 9,700 km; petroleum products 1,100 km; natural gas 6,200 km(1990)Ports:Dalian, Guangzhou, Huangpu, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Xingang,Zhanjiang, Ningbo, Xiamen, Tanggu, ShantouMerchant marine:1,541 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,884,756 GRT/22,475,985DWT, barge carrier 1, bulk 285, cargo 819, chemical tanker 13,combination bulk 9, container 85, liquefied gas 4, multifunction/bargecarrier 1, oil tanker 192, passenger 24, passenger-cargo 25,refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger43, vehicle carrier 2note:China beneficially owns an additional 227 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling approximately 6,187,117 DWT that operate under Panamanian,British, Hong Kong, Maltese, Liberian, Vanuatu, Cypriot, SaintVincent, Bahamian, and Romanian registryAirports:total:330usable:330with permanent-surface runways:260with runways over 3,659 m:fewer than 10with runways 2,440-3,659 m:90with runways 1,220-2,439 m:200Telecommunications:domestic and international services are increasingly available forprivate use; unevenly distributed internal system serves principalcities, industrial centers, and most townships; 11,000,000 telephones(December 1989); broadcast stations - 274 AM, unknown FM, 202 (2,050repeaters) TV; more than 215 million radio receivers; 75 million TVs;satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT, and 55 domestic
@China, Defense Forces
Branches:People's Liberation Army (PLA), PLA Navy (including Marines), PLA AirForce, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missle force), People'sArmed Police (internal security troops, nominally subordinate toMinistry of Public Security, but included by the Chinese as part ofthe "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in wartime)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 347,458,052; fit for military service 192,546,413;reach military age (18) annually 10,256,181 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:defense budget - 52.04 billion yuan, NA% of GDP (1994 est.); note -conversion of the defense budget into US dollars using the currentexchange rate could produce misleading results
@Christmas Island
Header Affiliation: (territory of Australia)
@Christmas Island, Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, between Australia and Indonesia Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 135 sq km land area: 135 sq km comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Natural resources: phosphate Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: almost completely surrounded by a reef international agreements: NA Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
@Christmas Island, People
Population:973 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:-9% (1994 est.)Birth rate:NADeath rate:NANet migration rate:NAInfant mortality rate:NALife expectancy at birth:total population:NAmale:NAfemale:NATotal fertility rate:NANationality:noun:Christmas Islander(s)adjective:Christmas IslandEthnic divisions:Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenouspopulationReligions:Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%,Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%,Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown4.6%, other 3.5% (1981)Languages:EnglishLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NAby occupation:all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of ChristmasIsland, Ltd.
@Christmas Island, Government
Names: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Digraph: KT Type: territory of Australia Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator M. J. GRIMES (since NA) cabinet: Advisory Council Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used
@Christmas Island, Economy
Overview:Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, butin December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as nolonger economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen themine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism.National product:GDP $NANational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$NAInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$NAcommodities:phosphatepartners:Australia, NZImports:$NAcommodities:consumer goodspartners:principally AustraliaExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:11,000 kWproduction:30 million kWhconsumption per capita:17,800 kWh (1990)Industries:phosphate extraction (near depletion)Agriculture:NAEconomic aid:noneCurrency:1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 centsExchange rates:Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704,(1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Christmas Island, Communications
Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Flying Fish Cove Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 TV
@Christmas Island, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
@Clipperton Island
Header Affiliation: (possession of France)
@Clipperton Island, Geography
Location: Middle America, in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Map references: World Area: total area: 7 sq km land area: 7 sq km comparative area: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Mexico Climate: tropical Terrain: coral atoll Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: reef about 8 km in circumference
@Clipperton Island, People
Population: uninhabited
@Clipperton Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Clipperton Islandlocal long form:nonelocal short form:Ile Clippertonformer:sometimes called Ile de la PassionDigraph:IPType:French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by HighCommissioner of the RepublicCapital:none; administered by France from French PolynesiaIndependence:none (possession of France)
@Clipperton Island, Economy
Overview:The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.
@Clipperton Island, Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
@Clipperton Island, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Header Affiliation: (territory of Australia)
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, 1,070 km southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 14 sq km land area: 14 sq km comparative area: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2.6 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rain fall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, People
Population:598 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.98% (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Cocos Islander(s)adjective:Cocos IslanderEthnic divisions:West Island:EuropeansHome Island:Cocos MalaysReligions:Sunni MuslimsLanguages:EnglishLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NA
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Government
Names: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Digraph: CK Type: territory of Australia Capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator B. CUNNINGHAM (since NA) cabinet: Islands Council; Chairman of the Islands Council Haji WAHIN bin Bynie (since NA) Legislative branch: unicameral Islands Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: NA Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Economy
Overview:Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copraand fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardensand fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food andmost other necessities must be imported from Australia.National product:GDP $NANational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$NAInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$NAcommodities:coprapartners:AustraliaImports:$NAcommodities:foodstuffspartners:AustraliaExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:1,000 kWproduction:2 million kWhconsumption per capita:2,980 kWh (1990)Industries:copra productsAgriculture:gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconutsEconomic aid:noneCurrency:1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 centsExchange rates:Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704(1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Communications
Highways:total:NApaved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:none; lagoon anchorage onlyAirports:total:1usable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex, and facsimilecommunications via satellite with Australia; broadcast stations - 1AM, no FM, no TV
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
@Colombia, Geography
Location:Northern South America, between Panama and VenezuelaMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zonesof the WorldArea:total area:1,138,910 sq kmland area:1,038,700 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than three times the size of Montananote:includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and SerranillaBankLand boundaries:total 7,408 km, Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 kmCoastline:3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)Maritime claims:continental shelf:not specifiedexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela;territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres yProvidencia and Quita Sueno BankClimate:tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlandsTerrain:flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,eastern lowland plainsNatural resources:petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeraldsLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:2%meadows and pastures:29%forest and woodland:49%other:16%Irrigated land:5,150 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticidesnatural hazards:highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; periodic droughtsinternational agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified -Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine DumpingNote:only South American country with coastlines on both North PacificOcean and Caribbean Sea
@Colombia, People
Population: 35,577,556 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.77% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 22.64 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.75 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.1 years male: 69.33 years female: 74.95 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.47 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 87% male: 88% female: 86% Labor force: 12 million (1990) by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
@Colombia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Colombiaconventional short form:Colombialocal long form:Republica de Colombialocal short form:ColombiaDigraph:COType:republic; executive branch dominates government structureCapital:BogotaAdministrative divisions:32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capitaldistrict* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico,Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar,Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira,Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio,Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valledel Cauca, Vaupes, VichadaIndependence:20 July 1810 (from Spain)National holiday:Independence Day, 20 July (1810)Constitution:5 July 1991Legal system:based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedureswas enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsoryExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo (since 7 August 1990);President-designate Juan Manuel SANTOS (since NA 1993); election lastheld 27 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - Cesar GAVIRIATrujillo (Liberal Party) 47%, Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado (National SalvationMovement) 24%, Antonio NAVARRO Wolff (AD/M-19) 13%, Rodrigo LLOREDA(Conservative Party) 12%note:a new government will be inaugurated on 7 August 1994; thepresidential election of 29 May 1994 resulted in no candidatereceiving more than 50% of the total vote and a run-off election toselect a president from the two leading candidates was held on 19 June1994; results - Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (Liberal Party) 50.4%, AndresPASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party) 48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humbertode la CALLE was elected vice president; electing a vice president is anew proceedure that replaces the traditional appointment ofpresident-designates by newly elected presidentscabinet:CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Congress (Congreso)Senate (Senado):elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998);preliminary results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102 total)Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 31, other12House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes):elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998);preliminary results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (161 total)Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 53,AD/M-19 2, other 17Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), ConstitutionalCourt, Council of StatePolitical parties and leaders:Liberal Party (PL), Ernesto SAMPER Pizano, president; ConservativeParty (PC), Misael PASTRANA Borrero; National Salvation Movement(MSN), Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado; New Democratic Force (NDF), AndresPASTRANA Arango; Democratic Alliance M-19 (AD/M-19) is a coalition ofsmall leftist parties and dissident liberals and conservatives;Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal political party formed byRevolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Colombian CommunistParty (PCC), Carlos ROMEROOther political or pressure groups:three insurgent groups are active in Colombia - Revolutionary ArmedForces of Colombia (FARC), Manuel MARULANDA and Alfonso CANO; NationalLiberation Army (ELN), Manuel PEREZ; and dissidents of the recentlydemobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL), Francisco CARABALLO;Francisco CARABALLO was captured by the government in June 1994Member of:AG, CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS,ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPROFOR,UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Gabriel SILVAchancery:2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 387-8338FAX:(202) 232-8643consulate(s) general:Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washingtonconsulate(s):Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, and TampaUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Morris D. BUSBYembassy:Calle 38, No. 8-61, Bogotamailing address:Apartado Aereo 3831, Bogota or APO AA 34038telephone:[57] (1) 320-1300FAX:[57] (1) 288-5687consulate(s):BarranquillaFlag:three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red;similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears theEcuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
@Colombia, Economy
Overview:Colombia's economic growth has recovered steadily since 1991 asPresident GAVIRIA'S sweeping economic reform measures have taken hold.Market reforms have included trade and investment liberalization,labor and tax overhauls and bureaucratic streamlining, among otherthings. Furthermore, conservative fiscal and monetary policies havehelped to steadily reduce inflation to 23% and unemployment to about7% in 1993. The rapid development of oil, coal, and othernontraditional industries has helped offset the decline in coffeeprices. A major oil find in 1993 in eastern Colombia may provide anextra $3 billion annually to the economy by 1997. Increased foreigninvestment and even greater domestic activity have been hampered,however, by a troublesome rural insurgency, a decrepit energy andtransportation infrastructure, and drug-related violence. Agriculturealso has encountered problems in adjusting to fewer subsidies, greatercompetition, and the collapse of the international coffee agreement,which has kept world coffee prices at near-record lows in 1991-93.Business construction was a leading sector in 1993. The substantialtrade deficit in 1993 was the result of a strong peso that inhibitedexports and a liberalized government policy that spurred imports.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $192 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:5.1% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$5,500 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):22.6% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:7.9% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$11 billionexpenditures:$12 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (1993est.)Exports:$6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowerspartners:US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)Imports:$6.7 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods,chemicals, paper productspartners:US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992)External debt:$17 billion (1992)Industrial production:growth rate 2% (1993 est.); accounts for 21% of GDPElectricity:capacity:10,193,000 kWproduction:36 billion kWhconsumption per capita:1,050 kWh (1992)Industries:textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages,chemicals, metal products, cement; mining - gold, coal, emeralds,iron, nickel, silver, saltAgriculture:growth rate 2.7% (1993 est.) accounts for 21% of GDP; crops make uptwo-thirds and livestock one-third of agricultural output; climate andsoils permit a wide variety of crops, such as coffee, rice, tobacco,corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseeds, vegetables; forest productsand shrimp farming are becoming more importantIllicit drugs:illicit producer of coca, opium, and cannabis; about 37,100 hectaresof coca under cultivation; the world's largest processor of cocaderivatives into cocaine in 1992; supplier of cocaine to the US andother international drug marketsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.6 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.3billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $399 millionCurrency:1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 921.20 (January 1994), 863.06(1993), 759.28 (1992), 633.05 (1991), 502.26 (1990), 382.57 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Colombia, Communications
Railroads:3,386 km; 3,236 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track (2,611 km in use),150 km 1.435-meter gaugeHighways:total:128,717 km (1989)paved:10,330 kmunpaved:gravel/earth 118,387 kmInland waterways:14,300 km, navigable by river boatsPipelines:crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km;natural gas liquids 125 kmPorts:Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, San Andres, SantaMarta, TumacoMerchant marine:27 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 211,777 GRT/335,763 DWT, bulk 7,cargo 11, container 6, oil tanker 3Airports:total:1,369usable:1,156with permanent-surface runways:73with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-2,659 m:9with runways 1,220-2,439 m:205Telecommunications:nationwide radio relay system; 1,890,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 413 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 28 shortwave; 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth stations and 11 domestic satellite earth stations
@Colombia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, including Marines),Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (PoliciaNacional)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 9,639,080; fit for military service 6,507,935; reachmilitary age (18) annually 354,944 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1992 est.)
@Comoros, Geography
Location: Southeastern Africa, in the extreme northern Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 2,170 sq km land area: 2,170 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 35% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 16% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: soil degradation and erosion; deforestation natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel