Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,347,774; males fit formilitary service 1,158,223; males reach military age (20) annually36,191 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, 1.9% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
@Djibouti:Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 22,000 sq kmland area: 21,980 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries: total 508 km, Eritrea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km,Somalia 58 km
Coastline: 314 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: desert; torrid, dry
Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
Natural resources: geothermal areas
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 91%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; desertificationnatural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonicdisturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floodsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species,Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - ClimateChange, Desertification
Note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; a vast wasteland
@Djibouti:People
Population: 421,320 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (female 90,070; male 90,631)15-64 years: 55% (female 108,824; male 121,715)65 years and over: 2% (female 4,900; male 5,180) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.48% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 42.79 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 15.51 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.7 years male: 47.83 years female: 51.62 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.15 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian
Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, andItalian 5%
Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population: 48%male: 63%female: 34%
@Djibouti:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Djibouticonventional short form: Djiboutiformer: French Territory of the Afars and Issas French Somaliland
Digraph: DJ
Type: republic
Capital: Djibouti
Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle);'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4September 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices,and Islamic law
Suffrage: universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:chief of state: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977);election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results -President Hassan GOULED Aptidon was reelectedhead of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30September 1978)cabinet: Council of Ministers; responsible to the president
Legislative branch: unicameralChamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes): elections last held 18December 1992; results - RPP (the ruling party) dominated; seats - (65total) RPP 65
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: ruling party: People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon other parties: Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of Unityand Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy(MUD)
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT(nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin L. CHESHES embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
@Djibouti:Economy
Overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance (an important supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last six years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees).
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $500 million (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: -3% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,200 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: over 30% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $164 millionexpenditures: $201 million, including capital expenditures of $16million (1993 est.)
Exports: $184 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit)partners: Somalia 48%, Yemen 42%
Imports: $384 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals,petroleum productspartners: France, UK, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Korea
External debt: $227 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1991 est.); accounts for 14% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 170 million kWh consumption per capita: 398 kWh (1993)
Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairyproducts and mineral-water bottling
Agriculture: mostly fruit and vegetables; herding of goats, sheep, andcamels
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million;Western (non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89),$149 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million
Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Djibouti:Transportation
Railroads:total: 97 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad)narrow gauge: 97 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 2,900 km paved: 280 km unpaved: improved, unimproved earth 2,620 km (1982)
Ports: Djibouti
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT
Airports:total: 13with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 3with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6
@Djibouti:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; telephone facilities in the city ofDjibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections tooutlying areas of the countrylocal: NAintercity: microwave radio relay networkinternational: international connections via submarine cable to SaudiArabia and by satellite link to other countries; 1 INTELSAT (IndianOcean) and 1 ARABSAT earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1televisions: NA
@Djibouti:Defense Forces
Branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force),National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National PoliceForce
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 101,385; males fit for militaryservice 59,337 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% ofGDP (1989)
________________________________________________________________________
@Dominica:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 750 sq kmland area: 750 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than four times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 148 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin
Natural resources: timber
Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 41% other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructivehurricanes can be expected during the late summer monthsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Whaling
@Dominica:People
Population: 82,608 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 29% (female 11,665; male 12,130)15-64 years: 64% (female 25,606; male 26,890)65 years and over: 7% (female 3,724; male 2,593) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 18.63 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.33 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.2 years male: 74.35 years female: 80.2 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican
Ethnic divisions: black, Carib Indians
Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%, other 5%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970)total population: 94%male: 94%female: 94%
Labor force: 25,000by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services28% (1984)
@Dominica:Government
Names:conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominicaconventional short form: Dominica
Digraph: DO
Type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Roseau
Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David,Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, SaintPatrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution: 3 November 1978
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October1993) election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October1998); results - President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO was elected by theHouse of Assembly to a five-year termhead of government: Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21July 1980, elected for a third term 28 May 1990)cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on the advice of theprime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralHouse of Assembly: elections last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held byOctober 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11,UWP 6, DLP 4
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), BrianALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United WorkersParty (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement(DLM), a small leftist group
Member of: ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM(observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: Dominica has no embassy in the USconsulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: no official presence since theAmbassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently toDominica
Flag: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
@Dominica:Economy
Overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. In 1994 a tropical storm devastated the banana industry.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $200 million (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 1.6% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $2,260 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $70 millionexpenditures: $84 million, including capital expenditures of $26million (FY90/91 est.)
Exports: $48.3 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, orangespartners: UK 55%, CARICOM countries, Italy, US
Imports: $98.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food,chemicalspartners: US 25%, CARICOM, UK, Japan, Canada
External debt: $92.8 million (1992)
Industrial production: growth rate -10% (1994 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 7,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 347 kWh (1993)
Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings; forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US andEurope; minor cannabis producer
Economic aid:recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-89), $120 million
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Dominica:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 750 km paved: 370 km unpaved: gravel or earth 380 km
Ports: Portsmouth, Roseau
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1
@Dominica:Communications
Telephone system: 4,600 telephones; fully automatic networklocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: SHF radio and microwave radio relay links to Martiniqueand Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radio links to Saint Lucia
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1 cabletelevisions: NA
@Dominica:Defense Forces
Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes SpecialService Unit, Coast Guard)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
________________________________________________________________________
@Dominican Republic:Geography
Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 48,730 sq kmland area: 48,380 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total 275 km, Haiti 275 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 6 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation;seasonal variation in rainfall
Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleysinterspersed
Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 13% other: 14%
Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damagescoral reefs; deforestationnatural hazards: occasional hurricanes (July to October)international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Law of the Sea
Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds isthe Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)
@Dominican Republic:People
Population: 7,511,263 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (female 1,288,210; male 1,336,162)15-64 years: 61% (female 2,246,791; male 2,312,555)65 years and over: 4% (female 178,388; male 149,157) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.17% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 23.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 6.15 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 49.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.73 years male: 66.57 years female: 70.99 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican
Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 83%male: 85%female: 82%
Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 millionby occupation: agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986)
@Dominican Republic:Government
Names:conventional long form: Dominican Republicconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republica Dominicanalocal short form: none
Digraph: DR
Type: republic
Capital: Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona,Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat,Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, MariaTrinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata,Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez,San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, SantiagoRodriguez, Valverde
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: 28 November 1966
Legal system: based on French civil codes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory or married personsregardless of agenote: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Joaquin BALAGUERRicardo (since 16 August 1986, sixth elected term began 16 August1994); Vice President Jacinto PEYNADO (since 16 August 1994) electionlast held 16 May 1994 (next to be held May 1996); results - JoaquinBALAGUER (PRSC) 42.6%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 13.2%, Jose FranciscoPENA Gomez (PRD) 41.9%, Jacobo MAJLUTA (PRI) 2.3%cabinet: Cabinet; nominated by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)Senate (Senado): elections last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held May1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC15, PLD 1, PRD 14Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 16 May1994 (next to be held May 1998); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (120 total) PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), JoaquinBALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), (vacant followingretirement of Juan BOSCH Gavino); Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD),Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI),Jacobo MAJLUTAminor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan ReneBEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD),Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSINChavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo;Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; DominicanCommunist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party(PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), IgnacioRODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance for Democracy Party (APD), MaximilanoRabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA; DemocraticUnion (UD), Fernando ALVAREZ Bogaertnote: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined toform the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retainindividual party structures
Other political or pressure groups: Collective of Popular Organzations(COP), leader NA
Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT,IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM(guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomezchancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (PuertoRico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, andSan Juan (Puerto Rico)consulate(s): Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston,Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donna Jean HRINAK embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, Santo Domingo; APO AA 34041 telephone: [1] (809) 541-2171, 8100 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437
Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
@Dominican Republic:Economy
Overview: The Dominican economy showed some signs of slippage in 1994, although its overall performance in recent years has been relatively strong. After posting an increase of nearly 8% in 1992, GDP growth fell to 3% in 1993 and 1994 as mining output decreased and erosion of real wages caused private consumption to decline. A pre-election boost in government spending in early 1994 led to the first government deficit in four years and bumped inflation up to 14% for the year. Continued dynamism in construction and the services sector, especially tourism, should keep the economy growing in 1995. Tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing for export remain key sectors of the economy. Domestic industry is based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining, and chemicals.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $24 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2.9% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $3,070 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 30% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.8 billionexpenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Exports: $585 million (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoapartners: US 52%, EC 23%, Puerto Rico 9%, Asia 7% (1992)
Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals andpharmaceuticalspartners: US 60% (1993)
External debt: $4.3 billion (1994 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 3.4% (1994); accounts for 14% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 1,450,000 kW production: 5.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 651 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco
Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; commercial crops - sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destinedfor the US and Europe
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $655 million
Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 13.258 (January 1995), 13.160 (1994), 12.679 (1993), 12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Dominican Republic:Transportation
Railroads:total: 1,655 km (in numerous segments; includes 4 different gaugesfrom 0.558-m narrow gauge to 1.435-m standard gauge)
Highways: total: 12,000 km paved: 5,800 km unpaved: gravel or improved earth 5,600 km; unimproved earth 600 km
Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports: Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, SantoDomingo
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT
Airports:total: 36with paved runways over 3,047 m: 2with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5with paved runways under 914 m: 16with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6
@Dominican Republic:Communications
Telephone system: 190,000 telephones; relatively efficient domesticsystem based on islandwide microwave radio relay networklocal: NAintercity: islandwide microwave radio relay networkinternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean)earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 0, shortwave 6radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 18televisions: NA
@Dominican Republic:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,008,597; males fit for military service 1,266,812; males reach military age (18) annually 79,769 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $116 million, 1.4% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
@Ecuador:Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at theEquator, between Colombia and Peru
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 283,560 sq kmland area: 276,840 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Nevadanote: includes Galapagos Islands
Land boundaries: total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,237 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute
Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber
Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 17% forest and woodland: 51% other: 23%
Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; waterpollutionnatural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity;periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Tropical Timber 94
Note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
@Ecuador:People
Population: 10,890,950 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 36% (female 1,928,977; male 1,990,036)15-64 years: 60% (female 3,281,575; male 3,230,082)65 years and over: 4% (female 244,862; male 215,418) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.95% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 25.08 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 37.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.35 years male: 67.83 years female: 72.99 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%,Spanish 10%, black 10%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially Quechua)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population: 87%male: 90%female: 84%
Labor force: 2.8 million by occupation: agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other activities 28% (1982)
@Ecuador:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Ecuadorconventional short form: Ecuadorlocal long form: Republica del Ecuadorlocal short form: Ecuador
Digraph: EC
Type: republic
Capital: Quito
Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, ElOro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi,Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua,Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence ofQuito)
Constitution: 10 August 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate personsages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLENCordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Alberto DAHIK Garzoni(since 10 August 1992); election runoff election held 5 July 1992(next to be held NA 1996); results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected aspresident and Alberto DAHIK elected as vice presidentcabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held 1 May 1994 (next to be held 1 May 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (77 total) PSC 25, PRE 11, MPD 8, ID 7, DP 7, PCE 7, PUR 2, CFP 2, APRE 2, PSE 1, FRA 1, PLRE 1, LN 1, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:Center-Right parties: Social Christian Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi,president; Republican Unity Party (PUR), President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN,leader; Ecuadorian Conservative Party (PCE), Vice President AlbertoDAHIK, presidentCenter-Left parties: Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos,Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Rodrigo PAZ,leader; Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Medardo MORA, leader;Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario, directorpopulist parties: Roldista Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz,director; Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Rodolfo BAQUERIZONazur, leader; Popular Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGASPassos, leaderFar-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Juan JoseCASTELLO, leader; Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS,leader; Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Rene Mauge MOSQUERA, chairman;Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, directorCommunists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), ReneMauge MOSQUERA, Secretary General; Communist Party ofEcuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist)
Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edgar TERAN Teran chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Newark
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. ROMERO embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039-3420 telephone: [593] (2) 562-890, 561-624, 561-749 FAX: [593] (2) 502-052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
@Ecuador:Economy
Overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven in recent years because of fluctuations in prices for Ecuador's primary exports - oil and bananas - as well as because of government policies designed to curb inflation. President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN launched a series of macroeconomic reforms when he came into office in August 1992 which included raising domestic fuel prices and utility rates, eliminating most subsidies, and bringing the government budget into balance. These measures helped to reduce inflation from 55% in 1992 to 25% in 1994. DURAN-BALLEN has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign investment than his predecessor and has supported several laws designed to encourage foreign investment. Ecuador has implemented free or complementary trade agreements with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as applied for World Trade Organization membership. Ecuador signed a standby agreement with the IMF and rescheduled its $7.6 billion commercial debt in 1994 thereby regaining access to multilateral lending. Growth in 1994 speeded up to 3.9%, based on increased exports of bananas and non-traditional products, while international reserves increased to a record $1.6 billion.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $41.1 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 3.9% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $3,840 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $2.76 billionexpenditures: $2.76 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994)
Exports: $3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum 39%, bananas 17%, shrimp 16%, cocoa 3%, coffee6%partners: US 42%, Latin America 29%, Caribbean, EU countries 17%
Imports: $3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: transport equipment, consumer goods, vehicles, machinery,chemicalspartners: US 28%, EU 17%, Latin America 31%, Caribbean, Japan
External debt: $13.2 billion (yearend 1993 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 6.4% (1993); accounts for almost 35% of GDP, including petroleum
Electricity: capacity: 2,230,000 kW production: 6.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 612 kWh (1993)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber
Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood; other agricultural exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; other crops - rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock products - cattle, sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains, dairy products, and sugar
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of cocaoriginating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producer ofcoca; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicitnarcotics; important money-laundering hub
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-91), $2.39 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million
Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,198.1 (December 1994), 2,196.7 (1994), 1,919.1 (1993), 1,534.0 (1992), 1,046.25 (1991), 767.8 (1990), 767.78 (1990), 526.35 (1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Ecuador:Transportation
Railroads: total: 965 km (single track) narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 43,709 km paved: 5,245 km unpaved: 38,464 km
Inland waterways: 1,500 km
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, SanLorenzo
Merchant marine:total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 222,822 GRT/326,447 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 2,oil tanker 13, passenger 3, refrigerated cargo 10
Airports:total: 175with paved runways over 3,047 m: 2with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 15with paved runways under 914 m: 107with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 5with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 31
@Ecuador:Communications
Telephone system: 318,000 telephones; 30 telephones/1,000 persons;domestic facilities generally inadequate and unreliablelocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 272, FM 0, shortwave 39radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 33televisions: NA
@Ecuador:Defense Forces
Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana,includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), NationalPolice
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,814,867; males fit for military service 1,903,979; males reach military age (20) annually 113,985 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
________________________________________________________________________
@Egypt:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenLibya and the Gaza Strip
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1,001,450 sq kmland area: 995,450 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than three times the size of NewMexico
Land boundaries: total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km,Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km, tensions over this disputed area began to escalate in 1992 and remain high
Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 95%
Irrigated land: 25,850 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization andwindblown sands; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam;desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, andmarine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides,raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh waterresources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source;rapid growth in population overstraining natural resourcesnatural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flashfloods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm calledkhamsin occurs in spring; duststorms, sandstormsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified- Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
Note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
@Egypt:People
Population: 62,359,623 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 37% (female 11,380,668; male 11,872,728)15-64 years: 59% (female 18,250,706; male 18,641,830)65 years and over: 4% (female 1,204,477; male 1,009,214) (July 1995est.)
Population growth rate: 1.95% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 28.69 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.12 years male: 59.22 years female: 63.12 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.67 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality:noun: Egyptian(s)adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, andBerbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarilyItalian and French) 1%
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), CopticChristian and other 6% (official estimate)
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood byeducated classes
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 48%male: 63%female: 34%
Labor force: 16 million (1994 est.)by occupation: government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces36%, agriculture 34%, privately owned service and manufacturingenterprises 20% (1984)note: shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad,mostly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1993 est.)
@Egypt:Government
Names:conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egyptconventional short form: Egyptlocal long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyahlocal short form: noneformer: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Digraph: EG
Type: republic
Capital: Cairo
Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular -muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum,Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah,Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah,As Suways, Aswan, Asyu't, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina,Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj
Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution: 11 September 1971
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (sworn in aspresident on 14 October 1981, eight days after the assassination ofPresident SADAT); national referendum held 4 October 1993 validatedMubarak's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third 6-yearpresidential termhead of government: Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12November 1986)cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameralPeople's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b): elections last held 29 November1990 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - NDP 86.3%, NPUG1.3%, independents 12.4%; seats - (454 total, 444 elected, 10appointed by the president) NDP 383, NPUG 6, independents 55; note -most opposition parties boycotted; NDP figures include NDP members whoran as independents and other NDP-affiliated independentsAdvisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): functions only in a consultativerole; elections last held 8 June 1989 (next to be held NA June 1995);results - NDP 100%; seats - (258 total, 172 elected, 86 appointed bythe president) NDP 172
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP),President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party; legalopposition parties are; New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'ad SIRAJ AL-DIN;Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim SHUKRI; National Progressive UnionistGrouping (NPUG), Khalid MUHYI-AL-DIN; Socialist Liberal Party (SLP),Mustafa Kamal MURAD; Democratic Unionist Party, Mohammed'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; Misr al-Fatah Party(Young Egypt Party), Gamal RABIE; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party,Dia' al-din DAWUD; Democratic Peoples' Party, Anwar AFIFI; The GreensParty, Kamal KIRAH; Social Justice Party, Muhammad 'ABD-AL-'ALnote: formation of political parties must be approved by government
Other political or pressure groups: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more aggressively in the past year to block its influence; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned
Member of: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19,G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIL, UNPROFOR, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed Maher El SAYED chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319, 5131 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward S. WALKER, Jr. embassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo
mailing address: APO AE 09839-4900 telephone: [20] (2) 3557371 FAX: [20] (2) 3573200
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band
@Egypt:Economy
Overview: Half of Egypt's GDP originates in the public sector, most industrial plants being owned by the government. Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's first IMF standby arrangement concluded in mid-1987 was suspended in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991. In 1991-93 the government made solid progress on administrative reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained momentum and unemployment has become a growing problem. Egypt probably will continue making uneven progress in implementing the successor programs with the IMF and World Bank it signed onto in late 1993. Tourism has plunged since 1992 because of sporadic attacks by Islamic extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.2 million people a year to the already huge population of 62 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for agriculture along the Nile.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $151.5 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $2,490 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $18 billionexpenditures: $19.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.8billion (FY94/95 est.)
Exports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., FY93/94 est.)commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, rawcotton, textiles, metal products, chemicalspartners: EU, US, Japan