Imports: $173 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products,transport equipmentpartners: Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Spain
External debt: $156 million (1991)
Industrial production: growth rate 3.6% (1990 est.); accounts for 8% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 15,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1993)
Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garment industry, ship repair, construction materials, food and beverage production
Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming; bananas are the only export crop; other crops - corn, beans, sweet potatoes, coffee; growth potential of agricultural sector limited by poor soils and scanty rainfall; annual food imports required; fish catch provides for both domestic consumption and small exports
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicitdrugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY75-90), $93 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-90), $586 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $12 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $36 million
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 85.537 (1st Quarter 1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018 (1992), 71.408 (1991), 70.031 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Cape Verde:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,100 km (1992) paved: 680 km unpaved: 420 km
Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine:total: 7 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,609 GRT/19,052 DWT cargo 6,chemical tanker 1
Airports: total: 6 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5
@Cape Verde:Communications
Telephone system: over 1,700 telephones; telephine density - about 4telephones/1,000 personslocal: NAintercity: interisland microwave radio relay system, high frequencyradio links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissauinternational: 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1televisions: NA
@Cape Verde:Defense Forces
Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army andNavy), Security Service
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 80,867; males fit for militaryservice 47,225 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Cayman Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 260 sq kmland area: 260 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 23% other: 69%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking watersupplies must be met by rainwater catchmentnatural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)international agreements: NA
Note: important location between Cuba and Central America
@Cayman Islands:People
Population: 33,192 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.3% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 14.79 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic divisions: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates ofvarious ethnic groups 20%
Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican,Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970)total population: 98%male: 98%female: 98%
Labor force: 8,061by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers5.9% (1979)
@Cayman Islands:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Cayman Islands
Digraph: CJ
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, SouthTown, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system: British common law and local statutes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)head of government: Governor and President of the Executive CouncilMichael GORE (since 15 September 1992)cabinet: Executive Council; 3 members are appointed by the governor, 4members elected by the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: election last held November 1992 (next to be held November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected)
Judicial branch: Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
@Cayman Islands:Economy
Overview: The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $700 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: 1.4% (1991)
National product per capita: $23,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)
Budget:revenues: $141.5 millionexpenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1991)
Exports: $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goodspartners: mostly US
Imports: $312 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
External debt: $15 million (1986)
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 80,000 kW production: 230 million kWh consumption per capita: 6,899 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction,building materials, furniture making
Agriculture: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtlefarming
Illicit drugs: a major money-laundering center for illicit drugprofits; transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $26.7 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $35 million
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (18 November 1993), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Cayman Islands:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 160 km (main roads) paved: NA unpaved: NA
Ports: Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 321,434 GRT/583,348 DWTships by type: bulk 7, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oiltanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 6 ships, India 5, Norway3, US 3, Greece 1, Sweden 1, UAE 1
Airports:total: 3with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
@Cayman Islands:Communications
Telephone system: 35,000 telephoneslocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: 1 submarine coaxial cable; 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean)earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 0televisions: NA
@Cayman Islands:Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
________________________________________________________________________
@Central African Republic:Geography
Location: Central Africa, north of Zaire
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 622,980 sq kmland area: 622,980 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries: total 5,203 km, Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo467 km, Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 64% other: 28%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminishedreputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertificationnatural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northernareas; floods are commoninternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
@Central African Republic:People
Population: 3,209,759 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (female 690,290; male 694,153)15-64 years: 53% (female 886,421; male 825,268)65 years and over: 4% (female 64,846; male 48,781) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 41.84 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 20.89 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 135.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.15 years male: 40.68 years female: 43.67 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.37 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African
Ethnic divisions: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%,Muslim 15%, other 11%note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christianmajority
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and nationallanguage), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 38%male: 52%female: 25%
Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.)by occupation: agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry 3%,government 3%note: about 64,000 salaried workers (1985)
@Central African Republic:Government
Names:conventional long form: Central African Republicconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republique Centrafricainelocal short form: noneformer: Central African Empire
Abbreviation: CAR
Digraph: CT
Type: republic;
Capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui** Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic)
Constitution: 21 November 1986
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993);election last held 19 September 1993 (next scheduled for 1998);PATASSE received 52.45% of the votes and Abel GOUMBA received 45.62%head of government: Prime Minister (vacant) (Dr. Jean-Luc MANDABAresigned on 11 April 1995)cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 19September 1993; results - percentage vote by party NA; seats - (85total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, others 22note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and RegionalCouncil (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together theyare called the Congress (Congres)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Movement for the Liberation of theCentral African People (MLPC), the party of the new president, AngeFelix PATASSE; Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD), DavidDACKO; Marginal Movement for Democracy, Renaissance and Evolution(MDREC), Joseph BENDOUNGA; Central African Democratic Assembly (RDC),Andre KOLINGBA; Patriotic Front for Progress (FFP), Abel GOUMBA; CivicForum (FC), Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77,GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA (appointed 19 September 1994) chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800, 7801 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert E. GRIBBIN III embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10 FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Flag: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
@Central African Republic:Economy
Overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates about half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 26% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. A major plus is the large forest reserves, which the government is moving to protect from overexploitation. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on CAR's economy. While diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased - leading GDP to increase by 5.5% - inflation rose to 40%, fueled by the rising prices of imports on which the economy depends. CAR's poor resource base and primitive infrastructure will keep it dependent on multilateral donors and France for the foreseeable future.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $700 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% (1988 est.) in Bangui
Budget:revenues: $175 millionexpenditures: $312 million, including capital expenditures of $122million (1991 est.)
Exports: $123.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobaccopartners: France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US
Imports: $165.1 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electricalequipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods,industrial productspartners: France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria
External debt: $859 million (1991)
Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 100 million kWh consumption per capita: 29 kWh (1993)
Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Agriculture: self-sufficient in food production except for grain; commercial crops - cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops - manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $52 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-90), $1.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $38 million
Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1- 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990)note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Central African Republic:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 22,000 km paved: bituminous 458 km unpaved: improved earth 10,542 km; unimproved earth 11,000 km
Inland waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Ports: Bangui, Nola
Airports:total: 61with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 19with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 9with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 29
@Central African Republic:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; system is only fairlocal: NAintercity: network consists principally of micowave radio relay andlow capacity, low powered radio communicationinternational: 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1televisions: NA
@Central African Republic:Defense Forces
Branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), Air Force,National Gendarmerie, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 718,487; males fit for militaryservice 375,950 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2.3% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
@Chad:Geography
Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1.284 million sq kmland area: 1,259,200 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than three times the size ofCalifornia
Land boundaries: total 5,968 km, Cameroon 1,094 km, Central AfricanRepublic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km,Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains an airfield in the disputed area; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
Climate: tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains innorthwest, lowlands in south
Natural 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: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper wastedisposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;desertificationnatural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north;periodic droughts; locust plaguesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in theSahel
@Chad:People
Population: 5,586,505 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (female 1,198,619; male 1,267,470)15-64 years: 54% (female 1,563,678; male 1,456,481)65 years and over: 2% (female 71,971; male 28,286) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.18% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 42.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 20.26 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 129.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.19 years male: 40.04 years female: 42.38 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian
Ethnic 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 French
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs, animism 25%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south),Sango (in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects arespoken
Literacy: age 15 and over has the ability to read and write in Frenchand Arabic (1990 est.)total population: 30%male: 42%female: 18%
Labor force: NAby occupation: agriculture 85% (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming,herding, and fishing)
@Chad:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Chadconventional short form: Chadlocal long form: Republique du Tchadlocal 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 is in effect (note - the constitutional commission, which was drafting a new constitution to submit to transitional parliament for ratification in April 1994, failed to do so but expects to submit a new draft to the parliament before the end of April 1995)
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 Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY, since 4 December 1990(after seizing power on 3 December 1990 - transitional government'smandate expires April 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April1995)cabinet: Council of State; appointed by the president onrecommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Consultative Council (Conceil National Consultatif):elections, formerly scheduled for April 1995, were postponed by mutualagreement of the parties concerned until some time prior to April1996; elections last held 8 July 1990; the National ConsultativeCouncil was disbanded 3 December 1990 and replaced by the ProvisionalCouncil of the Republic having 30 members appointed by President DEBYon 8 March 1991; this, in turn, was replaced by a 57-member HigherTransitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition) elected by aspecially 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, subsequently twice postponed these initiatives, first until April 1995 and again until sometime before April 1996; there are numerous dissident groups and at least 45 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, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Saleh AHMAT chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence E. POPE II embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 62 18, (51) 40 09, (51) 47 59 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
@Chad:Economy
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. More than 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. Of all the Francophone countries in Africa, Chad has benefited the least from the 50% devaluation of their currencies on 12 January 1994. Despite an increase in external financial aid and favorable price increases for cotton - the primary source of foreign exchange - the corrupt and enfeebled government bureaucracy continues to dampen economic enterprise by neglecting payments to domestic suppliers and public sector salaries. Oil production in the Lake Chad area remains a distant prospect and the subsistence-driven economy probably will continue to limp along in the near term.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita: $530 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -4.1% (1992)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $120 millionexpenditures: $363 million, including capital expenditures of $104million (1992 est.)
Exports: $190 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities: cotton 48%, cattle 35%, textiles 5%, fishpartners: France, Nigeria, Cameroon
Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrialgoods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; note - excludesmilitary equipmentpartners: US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon
External debt: $492 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 2.7% (1992 est.); accounts for nearly 15% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 80 million kWh consumption per capita: 13 kWh (1993)
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- 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990)note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Chad:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 31,322 km paved: bituminous 263 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 7,069 km; earth 23,990 km
Inland waterways: 2,000 km navigable
Ports: none
Airports:total: 66with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 23with unpaved runways over 3,047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 17with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 21
@Chad:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; primitive systemlocal: NAintercity: fair system of radio communication stations for intercitylinksinternational: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: NA; note - limited TV service; many facilties areinoperativetelevisions: NA
@Chad:Defense Forces
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, andGendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,307,210; males fit formilitary service 679,640; males reach military age (20) annually54,945 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $74 million, 11.1% ofGDP (1994)
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@Chile:Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Map references: South America
Area: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 Gomez
Land boundaries: total 6,171 km, Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km,Peru 160 km
Coastline: 6,435 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south
Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andesin east
Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, preciousmetals, molybdenum
Land 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 pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss ofbiodiversity; soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamisinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling;signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic andPacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage);Atacama Desert one of world's driest regions
@Chile:People
Population: 14,161,216 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 29% (female 2,014,877; male 2,099,450)15-64 years: 64% (female 4,574,947; male 4,529,251)65 years and over: 7% (female 549,385; male 393,306) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.49% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 20.29 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.88 years male: 71.89 years female: 78.01 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean
Ethnic divisions: European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%, other 2%
Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992)total population: 94%male: 95%female: 94%
Labor force: 4.728 millionby occupation: services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry andcommerce 33.8%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%,construction 6.4% (1990)
@Chile:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Chileconventional short form: Chilelocal long form: Republica de Chilelocal short form: Chile
Digraph: CI
Type: republic
Capital: Santiago
Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular - region);Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania,Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, LosLagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, RegionMetropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaisonote: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30July 1989
Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Eduardo FREIRuiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994) election last held 11 December 1993(next to be held December 1999); results - Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle(PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other 17.6%cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative 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-wing independents 10 Chamber 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%, PS 12.01%, 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) Concertation of Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wing independent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15, UCC 2), right-wing independents 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders: Concertation of Parties for Democracyconsists mainly of three parties: Christian Democratic Party (PDC),Alejandro FOXLEY; Socialist Party (PS), Camilo ESCALONA; Party forDemocracy (PPD), Jorge SCHAULSOHN; Radical Party (PR); 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 ERRAZURIZ
Other political or pressure groups: revitalized university studentfederations at all major universities; labor - United Labor Central(CUT) includes trade unionists from the country's five largest laborconfederations; Roman Catholic Church
Member of: APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL,OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON embassy: Codina Building, 1343 Agustinas, Santiago mailing address: Unit 4127, Santiago; APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white 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 the degree of government intervention varying according to the philosophy of the different regimes. Under the center-left government of President AYLWIN, which took power in March 1990, spending on social welfare rose steadily. At the same time business investment, exports, and consumer spending also grew substantially. The new president, FREI, who took office in March 1994, has emphasized social spending even more. Growth in 1991-94 has averaged 6.5% annually, with an estimated one million Chileans having moved out of poverty in the last four years. Copper remains vital to the health of the economy; Chile is the world's largest producer and exporter of copper. Success in meeting the government's goal of sustained annual growth of 5% depends on world copper prices, the level of confidence of foreign investors and creditors, and the government's own ability to maintain a conservative fiscal stance.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $97.7 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4.3% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $7,010 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $10.9 billionexpenditures: $10.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.2billion (1993)
Exports: $11.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: copper 41%, other metals and minerals 8.7%, wood products7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1991)partners: EC 29%, Japan 17%, US 16%, Argentina 5%, Brazil 5% (1992)
Imports: $10.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7%partners: EC 24%, US 21%, Brazil 10%, Japan 10% (1992)
External debt: $20 billion (1994 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 4.3% (1993 est.); accounts for 34% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 4,810,000 kW production: 22 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,499 kWh (1993)
Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); major exporter of fruit, fish, and timber products; major crops - wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, deciduous fruit; livestock products - beef, poultry, wool; self-sufficient in most foods; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons; net agricultural importer
Illicit drugs: a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; booming economy has made it more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $521 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $1.6 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $386 million
Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 408 (January 1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993), 362.59 (1992), 349.37 (1991), 305.06 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Chile:Transportation
Railroads:total: 7,766 kmbroad gauge: 3,974 km 1.676-m gauge (1,865 km electrified)standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 3,642 km 1.000-m gauge (80 km electrified)
Highways: total: 79,599 km paved: 10,984 km unpaved: gravel or earth 68,615 km (1990)
Inland waterways: 725 km
Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas320 km
Ports: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanarol, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt,Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso
Merchant marine:total: 36 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 510,006 GRT/879,891 DWTships by type: bulk 13, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, combinationore/oil 2, liquefied gas tanker 3, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-offcargo 3, vehicle carrier 2
Airports:total: 390with paved runways over 3,047 m: 5with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 17with paved runways under 914 m: 252with unpaved runways over 3,047 m: 1with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 13with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 76
@Chile:Communications
Telephone system: 768,000 telephones; modern telephone system based onextensive microwave radio relay facilitieslocal: NAintercity: extensive microwave radio relay links and 3 domesticsatellite stationsinternational: 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth stations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 159, FM 0, shortwave 11radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 131televisions: NA
@Chile:Defense Forces
Branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes Naval Air, CoastGuard, and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile(National Police), Investigations Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,758,770; males fit formilitary service 2,796,740; males reach military age (19) annually121,831 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 3.4% ofGDP (1991 est.)
________________________________________________________________________
(also see separate Taiwan entry)
@China:Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay,Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Map references: Asia
Area:total area: 9,596,960 sq kmland area: 9,326,410 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than the US
Land 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 Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
Coastline: 14,500 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and YellowSeaterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary with India in dispute; disputed sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled; boundary with Tajikistan in dispute; a short section of the boundary with North Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; 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/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwan
Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east
Natural 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 data)
Environment:current issues: air pollution from the overwhelming use of high-sulfurcoal as a fuel, produces acid rain which is damaging forests; watershortages experienced throughout the country, particularly in urbanareas; future growth in water usage threatens to outpace supplies;water pollution from industrial effluents; much of the population doesnot have access to potable water; less than 10% of sewage receivestreatment; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agriculturalland since 1957 to soil erosion and economic development;desertification; trade in endangered speciesnatural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southernand eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling;signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)
@China:People
Population: 1,203,097,268 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26% (female 151,266,866; male 167,234,782)15-64 years: 67% (female 391,917,572; male 419,103,994)65 years and over: 7% (female 39,591,692; male 33,982,362) (July 1995est.)
Population growth rate: 1.04% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 17.78 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 7.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.08 years male: 67.09 years female: 69.18 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese
Ethnic 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 eclectic
Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on theBeijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou),Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minoritylanguages (see Ethnic divisions entry)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population: 78%male: 87%female: 68%
Labor force: 583.6 million (1991)by occupation: agriculture and forestry 60%, industry and commerce25%, construction and mining 5%, social services 5%, other 5% (1990est.)
@China:Government
Names:conventional long form: People's Republic of Chinaconventional short form: Chinalocal long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguolocal short form: Zhong Guo
Abbreviation: PRC
Digraph: CH
Type: Communist state
Capital: Beijing
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province
Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949)
National holiday: National Day, 1 October (1949)
Constitution: most recent promulgated 4 December 1982
Legal system: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993); VicePresident RONG Yiren (since 27 March 1993); election last held 27March 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - JIANG Zemin was nominallyelected by the Eighth National People's Congresshead of government: Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November1987, Premier since 9 April 1988) Vice Premier ZHU Rongji (since 8April 1991); Vice Premier ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991); VicePremier QIAN Qichen (since 29 March 1993); Vice Premier LI Lanqing (29March 1993); Vice Premier WU Bangguo (since 17 March 1995); VicePremier JIANG Chunyun (since 17 March 1995)cabinet: State Council; appointed by the National People's Congress(NPC)