Ports: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia
Merchant marine:total: 1,549 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 56,709,634GRT/97,038,680 DWTships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 392, cargo 121, chemical tanker114, combination bulk 33, combination ore/oil 57, container 124,liquefied gas tanker 75, oil tanker 459, passenger 32, passenger-cargo1, refrigerated cargo 58, roll-on/roll-off cargo 18, short-seapassenger 1, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 54note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 53 countries; the 10major fleet flags are: United States 232 ships, Japan 190, Norway 166,Greece 125, Germany 125, United Kingdom 102, Hong Kong 95, China 45,Russia 41, and the Netherlands 34
Airports:total: 59with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 43with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 3with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 11
@Liberia:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; telephone and telegraph service viaradio relay network; main center is Monrovia; most telecommunicationsservices inoperable due to insurgency movementlocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 5televisions: NA
@Liberia:Defense Forces
Branches: NA; the ultimate structure of the Liberian military forcewill depend on who is the victor in the ongoing civil war
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 732,063; males fit for militaryservice 390,849 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
@Libya:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenEgypt and Tunisia
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1,759,540 sq kmland area: 1,759,540 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries: total 4,383 km, Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline: 1,770 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32 degrees 30 minutes north
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km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad, and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains an airfield in the disputed area; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; claims part of northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria
Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90%
Irrigated land: 2,420 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: desertification; very limited natural fresh waterresources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest waterdevelopment scheme in the world, is being built to bring water fromlarge aquifers under the Sahara to coastal citiesnatural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern windlasting one to four days in spring and fall; duststorms, sandstormsinternational agreements: party to - Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
@Libya:People
Population: 5,248,401 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (female 1,226,851; male 1,269,813)15-64 years: 49% (female 1,261,424; male 1,331,093)65 years and over: 3% (female 76,017; male 83,203) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.7% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 44.89 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 7.91 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 61.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.29 years male: 62.12 years female: 66.57 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.32 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan
Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians,Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians
Religions: Sunni Muslim 97%
Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in themajor cities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1984)total population: 60%male: 77%female: 42%
Labor force: 1 million (includes about 280,000 resident foreigners) by occupation: industry 31%, services 27%, government 24%, agriculture 18%
@Libya:Government
Names:conventional long form: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriyaconventional short form: Libyalocal long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah alIshirakiyahlocal short form: none
Digraph: LY
Type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship
Capital: Tripoli
Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular -baladiyat); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, AlJufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, AzZawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha,Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan
Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy)
National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977
Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Mu'ammar Abu Minyaral-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969)head of government: Chairman of the General People's Committee(Premier) Abd al Majid al-Qa'ud (since 29 January 1994)cabinet: General People's Committee; established by the GeneralPeople's Congressnote: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of peoples'committees
Legislative branch: unicameralGeneral People's Congress: national elections are indirect through ahierarchy of peoples' committees
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements
Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO,G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: none
US diplomatic representation: none
Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
@Libya:Economy
Overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-third of GDP. In 1990 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but GDP growth rates have slowed and fluctuated sharply in response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. Windfall revenues from the hike in world oil prices in late 1990 improved the foreign payments position and resulted in a current account surplus through 1992. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs 18% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. The UN sanctions imposed in April 1992 have not yet had a major impact on the economy because Libya's oil revenues generate sufficient foreign exchange which sustains imports of food, consumer goods, and equipment for the oil industry and ongoing development projects.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $32.9 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: -0.9% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $6,510 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $8.1 billionexpenditures: $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1billion (1989 est.)
Exports: $7.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas partners: Italy, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Turkey, Greece, Egypt
Imports: $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods partners: Italy, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia, Eastern Europe
External debt: $3.5 billion excluding military debt (1991 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 10.5% (1990)
Electricity: capacity: 4,600,000 kW production: 16.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,078 kWh (1993)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
Agriculture: 5% of GDP; cash crops - wheat, barley, olives, dates,citrus fruits, peanuts; 75% of food is imported
Economic aid:recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-87), $242 millionnote: no longer a recipient
Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams
Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.3555 (January 1995), 0.3596 (1994), 0.3250 (1993), 0.3013 (1992), 0.2684 (1991), 0.2699 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Libya:Transportation
Railroads:note: Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all previoussystems having been dismantled; current plans are to construct a1.435-m standard gauge line from the Tunisian frontier to Tripoli andMisratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a mineral-rich area, butthere has been no progress; other plans made jointly with Egypt wouldestablish a rail line from As Sallum, Egypt, to Tobruk with completionset for mid-1994; no progress has been reported
Highways: total: 19,300 km paved: bituminous 10,800 km unpaved: gravel, earth 8,500 km
Inland waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includesliquified petroleum gas 256 km); natural gas 1,947 km
Ports: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra'sLanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah
Merchant marine:total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 686,136 GRT/1,208,194 DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 2,oil tanker 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 4
Airports:total: 146with paved runways over 3,047 m: 24with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6with paved runways under 914 m: 21with unpaved runways over 3,047 m: 4with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 17with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 44
@Libya:Communications
Telephone system: 370,000 telephones; modern telecommunications system
local: NAintercity: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter,and 14 domestic satellitesinternational: 2 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)satellite earth stations; submarine cables to France and Italy;microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter toGreece; planned ARABSAT and Intersputnik satellite earth stations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 12televisions: NA
@Libya:Defense Forces
Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (includes Army,Navy, and Air and Air Defense Command), Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,131,175; males fit formilitary service 672,571; males reach military age (17) annually54,676 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, 6.1% ofGDP (1994 est.)
________________________________________________________________________
@Liechtenstein:Geography
Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 160 sq kmland area: 160 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total 78 km, Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: claims 1,600 square kilometers of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential
Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 19% other: 18%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed,but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law of theSea
Note: landlocked; variety of microclimatic variations based onelevation
@Liechtenstein:People
Population: 30,654 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (female 2,897; male 2,974)15-64 years: 71% (female 10,853; male 10,777)65 years and over: 10% (female 1,930; male 1,223) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.2% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 12.95 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 6.56 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.52 years male: 73.86 years female: 81.17 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.47 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988)
Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981)total population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Labor force: 19,905 of which 11,933 are foreigners; 6,885 commute fromAustria and Switzerland to work each dayby occupation: industry, trade, and building 53.2%, services 45%,agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.8% (1990)
@Liechtenstein:Government
Names:conventional long form: Principality of Liechtensteinconventional short form: Liechtensteinlocal long form: Furstentum Liechtensteinlocal short form: Liechtenstein
Digraph: LS
Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Vaduz
Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established)
National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution: 5 October 1921
Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989; assumedexecutive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS von undzu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968)head of government: Mario FRICK (since 15 December 1993); Deputy Headof Government Dr. Thomas BUECHEL (since 15 December 1993)cabinet: Cabinet; elected by the Diet; confirmed by the sovereign
Legislative branch: unicameral Diet (Landtag): elections last held on 24 October 1993 (next to be held by March 1997); results - VU 50.1%, FBP 41.3%, FL 8.5%; seats - (25 total) VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminalcases, Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases
Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. OswaldKRANTZ; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Otmar HASLER; The Free List(FL)
Member of: CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, GATT, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: in routine diplomatic matters,Liechtenstein is represented in the US by the Swiss Embassy
US diplomatic representation: the US has no diplomatic or consularmission in Liechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich(Switzerland) has consular accreditation at Vaduz
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a goldcrown on the hoist side of the blue band
@Liechtenstein:Economy
Overview: Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital service sector and living standards on par with its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. Liechtenstein plans to join the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between EFTA and EU) in 1995.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $630 million (1990 est.)
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $259 millionexpenditures: $292 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1990 est.)
Exports: $NAcommodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps,hardware, potterypartners: EC countries 42.7%, EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland15.4%), other 36.4% (1990)
Imports: $NAcommodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motorvehiclespartners: NA
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 23,000 kW production: 150 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,230 kWh (1992)
Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism
Agriculture: livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.2880 (January 1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Liechtenstein:Transportation
Railroads:total: 18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics ofAustrian Federal Railwaysstandard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
Highways: total: 322.93 km paved: 322.93 km
Ports: none
Airports: none
@Liechtenstein:Communications
Telephone system: 25,400 telephones; limited, but sufficient automatictelephone systemlocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: linked to Swiss networks by cable and radio relay
Radio:broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NAradios: NAnote: linked to Swiss networks
Television:broadcast stations: NAtelevisions: NAnote: linked to Swiss networks
@Liechtenstein:Defense Forces
Note: defense is responsibility of Switzerland
________________________________________________________________________
@Lithuania:Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia andRussia
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 65,200 sq kmland area: 65,200 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total 1,273 km, Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline: 108 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
Natural resources: peat
Land use:arable land: 49.1%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 22.2%forest and woodland: 16.3%other: 12.4%
Irrigated land: 430 sq km (1990)
Environment:current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleumproducts and chemicals at military basesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, ClimateChange
@Lithuania:People
Population: 3,876,396 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (female 426,616; male 444,556)15-64 years: 65% (female 1,299,052; male 1,227,420)65 years and over: 12% (female 313,217; male 165,535) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.71% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 14.46 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 10.95 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 16.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.37 years male: 66.68 years female: 76.3 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%,Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other
Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989)total population: 98%male: 99%female: 98%
Labor force: 1.836 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)
@Lithuania:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Lithuaniaconventional short form: Lithuanialocal long form: Lietuvos Respublikalocal short form: Lietuvaformer: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph: LH
Type: republic
Capital: Vilnius
Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*,Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, IgnalinosRajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas,Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas,Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas,Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*,Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*,Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas,Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, RokiskioRajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, SiauliuRajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, SkuodoRajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, TrakyRajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas,Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November 1992and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993); election last held 14February 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKASwas elected; note - on 25 November 1992 BRAZAUSKAS was electedchairman of Parliament and, as such, acting president of the Republic;he was confirmed in office by direct balloting 15 February 1993head of government: Premier Adolfas SLEZEVICIUS (since 10 March 1993)cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on thenomination of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Seimas (parliament): elections last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats - (141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers' Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP),Povilas KATILIUS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania(LDDP), Adolfas SLEZEVICIUS, chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union(LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party(LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union, Jonas CIULEVICIUS,chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman; ConservativeParty, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS),Rytardas MACIKIANEC, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Homeland Union; Lithuanian FutureForum; Farmers Union
Member of: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr. embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600 mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (2) 223-031 FAX: [370] (2) 222-779
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
@Lithuania:Economy
Overview: Since independence in September 1991, Lithuania has made steady progress in developing a market economy. Almost 50% of state property has been privatized and trade is diversifying with a gradual shift away from the former Soviet Union to Western markets. In addition, the Lithuanian government has adhered to a disciplined budgetary and financial policy which has brought inflation down from a monthly average of around 14% in first half 1993 to an average of 3.1% in 1994. Nevertheless, the process has been painful with industrial output in 1993 less than half the 1991 level. The economy appeared to have bottomed out in 1994, and Vilnius's policies have laid the groundwork for vigorous recovery over the next few years. Recovery will build on Lithuanian's strategic location with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, and on its agriculture potential, highly skilled labor force, and diversified industrial sector. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $13.5 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992)
National product real growth rate: -0.5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $3,500 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (monthly average 1994)
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (January 1995)
Budget:revenues: $258.5 millionexpenditures: $270.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1992 est.)
Exports: $2.2 billion (1994)commodities: electronics 18%, petroleum products 5%, food 10%,chemicals 6% (1989)partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany
Imports: $2.7 billion (1994) commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989) partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate -52% (1992); accounts for 35% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 6,190,000 kW production: 18.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)
Industries: industry's share in the economy has been declining substantially over the past year, due to the economic crisis and the growth of services in the economy; among branches which are still important: metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%, electric motors 4.6%, television sets 6.2%, refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other branches: petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, and amber
Agriculture: employs around 18% of labor force; accounts for 25% of GDP; sugar, grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables, meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, fish; most developed are the livestock and dairy branches, which depend on imported grain; net exporter of meat, milk, and eggs
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central andSouthwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited producerof illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million
Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993
Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4 (fixed rate 1 May 1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Lithuania:Transportation
Railroads: total: 2,010 km broad gauge: 2,010 km 1.524-m gauge (120 km electrified) (1990)
Highways: total: 44,200 km paved: 35,500 km unpaved: earth 8,700 km (1990)
Inland waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine:total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 275,893 GRT/321,440 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 28, combination bulk 11, railcar carrier3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:total: 96with paved runways over 3,047 m: 3with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 14with 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: 6with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63
@Lithuania:Communications
Telephone system: 900,000 telephones; 240 telephones/1,000 persons;telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the formerSoviet republicslocal: NAintercity: land lines and microwave radio relayinternational: international connections no longer depend on theMoscow gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslofrom Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas; 1 EUTELSAT and 1INTELSAT earth station; an NMT-450 analog cellular network operates inVilnius and other cities and is linked internationally throughCopenhagen by EUTELSAT; international electronic mail is available;land lines or microwave to former USSR republics
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 3televisions: NA
@Lithuania:Defense Forces
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, SecurityForces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 949,663; males fit for militaryservice 750,386; males reach military age (18) annually 27,630 (1995est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2% ofGDP (1994); note - for 1995 defense expenditures were $54 million atexchange rate conversion
________________________________________________________________________
@Luxembourg:Geography
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 2,586 sq kmland area: 2,586 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total 359 km, Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: none
Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle floodplain in the southeast
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited)
Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 21% other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: deforestation; air and water pollution in urban areasnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83;signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Note: landlocked
@Luxembourg:People
Population: 404,660 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (female 35,372; male 36,645)15-64 years: 68% (female 136,960; male 137,792)65 years and over: 14% (female 35,774; male 22,117) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.57% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 12.61 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 9.42 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.95 years male: 73.31 years female: 80.75 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend),Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3%
Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Labor force: 177,300 (one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany) by occupation: services 65%, industry 31.6%, agriculture 3.4% (1988)
@Luxembourg:Government
Names:conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourgconventional short form: Luxembourglocal long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourglocal short form: Luxembourg
Digraph: LU
Type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Luxembourg
Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher,Luxembourg
Independence: 1839
National holiday: National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday)
Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions
Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); HeirApparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke JEAN, born 16 April 1955)head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNKER (since 1 January1994); Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984)cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the sovereign
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes): elections last held on 12 June 1994 (next to be held by June 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) CSV 21, LSAP 17, DP 12, Action Committee for Democracy and Pension Rights 5, Greens 5 note: the Council of State (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies
Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure deJustice)
Political parties and leaders: Christian Social People's Party (CSV),Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES; Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), Ben FAYOT;Democratic Party (DP), Henri GRETHEN; Action Committee for Democracyand Pension Rights, Roby MEHLEN; other minor parties
Other political or pressure groups: group of steel companiesrepresenting iron and steel industry; Centrale Paysanne representingagricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions;Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation
Member of: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EBRD, EC, ECE,EIB, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, MTCR,NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alphonse BERNS chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Clay CONSTANTINOU embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: PSC 11, Luxembourg City; APO AE 09132-5380 telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
@Luxembourg:Economy
Overview: The stable, prosperous economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and negligible unemployment. Agriculture is based on small but highly productive family-owned farms. The industrial sector, until recently dominated by steel, has become increasingly more diversified, particularly toward high-technology firms. During the past decade, growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a growing proportion of the economy. Luxembourg participates in an economic union with Belgium on trade and most financial matters, is also closely connected economically to the Netherlands, and as a member of the 15-member European Union enjoys the advantages of the open European market.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.2 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2.6% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $22,830 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $4 billionexpenditures: $4.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Exports: $6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities: finished steel products, chemicals, rubber products,glass, aluminum, other industrial productspartners: EC 76%, US 5%
Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods partners: Belgium 37%, Germany 31%, France 12%, US 2%
External debt: $800 million (1994 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate -0.5% (1990); accounts for 25% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 1,238,750 kW production: 1.374 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,395 kWh (1993)
Industries: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum
Agriculture: accounts for less than 3% of GDP (including forestry); principal products - barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; cattle raising widespread
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1 - 31.549 (January 1995), 33,456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Luxembourg:Transportation
Railroads:total: 271 kmstandard gauge: 271 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified; 178 kmdouble track) (1994)
Highways:total: 5,108 kmpaved: 5,062 km (95 km of limited access divided highway)unpaved: 46 km (1992)
Inland waterways: 37 km; Moselle River
Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km
Ports: Mertert
Merchant marine:total: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,129,466 GRT/1,790,988DWTships by type: bulk 6, cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 6,container 2, liquefied gas tanker 8, oil tanker 7, passenger 2,refrigerated cargo 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2
Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1
@Luxembourg:Communications
Telephone system: 230,000 telephones; highly developed, completelyautomated and efficient system, mainly buried cables; nationwidemobile phone systemlocal: NAintercity: buried cableinternational: 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 3 and 1 direct-broadcast satellite linktelevisions: NA
@Luxembourg:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 103,990; males fit for military service 85,912; males reach military age (19) annually 2,190 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $129 million, 1.2% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
(overseas territory of Portugal)
@Macau:Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 16 sq kmland area: 16 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total 0.34 km, China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat
Natural resources: negligible
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection (extendedfrom Portugal)
Note: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the twoislands to the peninsula on mainland
@Macau:People
Population: 490,901 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (female 56,991; male 60,944)15-64 years: 68% (female 167,366; male 165,168)65 years and over: 8% (female 23,537; male 16,895) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.25% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 14.5 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.86 years male: 77.41 years female: 82.43 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Macanese (singular and plural) adjective: Macau
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%
Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%,other 1.2% (1981)
Languages: Portuguese (official), Cantonese is the language ofcommerce
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981)total population: 90%male: 93%female: 86%
Labor force: 180,000 (1986)by occupation: NA
@Macau:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Macaulocal long form: nonelocal short form: Ilha de Macau
Digraph: MC
Type: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to revert to China in 1999
Capital: Macau
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Ilhas, Macau
Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 year after transition)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9March 1986)head of government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20March 1991)cabinet: Consultative Council; consists of five members appointed bythe governor, two nominated by the governor, five members elected fora four-year term (2 represent administrative bodies, 1 representsmoral, cultural, and welfare interests, and 2 economic interests), andthree statuatory members
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: elections last held on 10 March 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total, 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests ofMacau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development ofMacau; Macau Independent Group
Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration
Member of: CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, IMO (associate), INTERPOL(subbureau), WTO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (Chinese territory underPortuguese administration)
US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, and USinterests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag: the flag of Portugal is used
@Macau:Economy
Overview: The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry represented well over 40% of GDP in 1992. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $305 millionexpenditures: $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1989 est.)
Exports: $1.8 billion (1992 est.)commodities: textiles, clothing, toyspartners: US 35%, Hong Kong 12.5%, Germany 12%, China 9.9%, France 8%(1992 est.)
Imports: $2 billion (1992 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods partners: Hong Kong 33%, China 20%, Japan 18% (1992 est.)
External debt: $91 million (1985)
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 258,000 kW production: 950 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,093 kWh (1993)
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture,tourism
Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages - rice, vegetables,meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991-94), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Macau:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 42 km paved: 42 km
Ports: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: none usable, 1 under construction; 1 seaplane station
@Macau:Communications
Telephone system: 52,000 telephones; fairly modern communicationfacilities maintained for domestic and international serviceslocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: high-frequency radio communication facility; access tointernational communications carriers provided via Hong Kong andChina; 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 0radios: 115,000