Radio:broadcast stations: AM 46, FM 493 (350 private and 143 government),shortwave 0radios: 3.3 million
Television:broadcast stations: 54 (repeaters 2,100)televisions: 1.5 million
@Norway:Defense Forces
Branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy, Royal Norwegian AirForce, Home Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,116,130; males fit formilitary service 928,774; males reach military age (20) annually29,123 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion, 3.2% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
@Oman:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, andPersian Gulf, between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 212,460 sq kmland area: 212,460 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries: total 1,374 km, Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km,Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: no defined boundary with most of UAE;Administrative Line with UAE in far north
Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strongsouthwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north andsouth
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble,limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:arable land: less than 2%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 5%forest and woodland: 0%other: 93%
Irrigated land: 410 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills;very limited natural fresh water resourcesnatural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms andduststorms in interior; periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Climate Change
Note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
@Oman:People
Population: 2,125,089 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46% (female 480,974; male 498,619)15-64 years: 51% (female 493,685; male 593,740)65 years and over: 3% (female 31,826; male 26,245) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.71% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 38.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 34.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.25 years male: 68.31 years female: 72.29 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.16 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani
Ethnic divisions: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, SriLankan, Bangladeshi)
Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy: NA%
Labor force: 430,000 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 40% (est.)
@Oman:Government
Names:conventional long form: Sultanate of Omanconventional short form: Omanlocal long form: Saltanat Umanlocal short form: Uman
Digraph: MU
Type: monarchy
Capital: Muscat
Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat)and 2 governorates* (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah,Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*,Zufar*
Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday: National Day, 18 November (1940)
Constitution: none
Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: Sultan and Prime MinisterQABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970)cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral Consultative Council
Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: NA
Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB chancery: 2535 Belmont Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1982 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David J. DUNFORD embassy: address NA, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989 FAX: [968] 699779
Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band
@Oman:Economy
Overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry, including trends in international oil prices and the ability of OPEC producers to agree on output quotas. Petroleum accounts for more than 85% of export earnings, about 80% of government revenues, and roughly 40% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of 4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years' supply at the current rate of extraction. Agriculture is carried on at a subsistence level and the general population depends on imported food. The government is encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign, as a prime force for further economic development.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 0.5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $10,020 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.2% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $4.4 billionexpenditures: $5.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1billion (1994 est.)
Exports: $4.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum 87%, re-exports, fish, processed copper,textilespartners: UAE 33%, Japan 20%, South Korea 14%, China 7% (1993)
Imports: $4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants partners: UAE 24% (largely re-exports), Japan 21%, UK 12%, US 7%, France 6% (1993)
External debt: $3 billion (1993)
Industrial production: growth rate 8.6% (1991); accounts for almost 60% of GDP, including petroleum
Electricity: capacity: 1,540,000 kW production: 6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,407 kWh (1993)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper
Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP and 40% of the labor force (including fishing); less than 2% of land cultivated; largely subsistence farming (dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables, camels, cattle); not self-sufficient in food; annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tons
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $137 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $148 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $797 million
Currency: 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza
Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1 - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Oman:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 26,000 km paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 21,000 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km
Ports: Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Qabus, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine:total: 1 passenger ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,442 GRT/1,320DWT
Airports:total: 140with paved runways over 3,047 m: 4with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 36with unpaved runways over 3,047 m: 3with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 61with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 31
@Oman:Communications
Telephone system: 50,000 telephones; modern system consisting ofopen-wire, microwave, and radio communications stations; limitedcoaxial cablelocal: NAintercity: open wire, microwave, radio communications, and 8 domesticsatellite linksinternational: 2 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) and 1 ARABSAT earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 7televisions: NA
@Oman:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 520,428; males fit for military service 294,993; males reach military age (14) annually 26,065 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 14.2% of GDP (1995 est.)
________________________________________________________________________
@Pacific Ocean:Geography
Location: body of water between Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and theWestern Hemisphere
Map references: World
Area:total area: 165.384 million sq kmcomparative area: about 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean(followed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the ArcticOcean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger than thetotal land area of the worldnote: includes Bali Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, BeringStrait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf ofTonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Savu Sea, Sea of Japan,Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, Timor Sea, and othertributary water bodies
Coastline: 135,663 km
International disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
Climate: the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian land mass back to the ocean
Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the world's deepest, the 10,924 meter Marianas Trench
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand andgravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Environment:current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, sealion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution inPhilippine Sea and South China Seanatural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic andearthquake activity sometimes referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire;subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asiafrom May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropicalcyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike CentralAmerica and Mexico from June to October (most common in August andSeptember); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs fromAntarctica; occasional El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peruwhen the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial Countercurrentmoves south, killing the plankton that is the primary food source foranchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to better feeding grounds,causing resident marine birds to starve by the thousands because oftheir lost food source; ships subject to superstructure icing inextreme north from October to May and in extreme south from May toOctober; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritimehazard from June to Decemberinternational agreements: NA
Note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal,Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides thePacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South PacificOcean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands inthe southwestern Pacific Ocean
@Pacific Ocean:Government
Digraph: ZN
@Pacific Ocean:Economy
Overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985 over half (54%) of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.
Industries: fishing, oil and gas production
@Pacific Ocean:Transportation
Ports: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Los Angeles (US), Manila(Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US),Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia),Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
@Pacific Ocean:Communications
Telephone system:international: several submarine cables with network nodal points onGuam and Hawaii
________________________________________________________________________
@Pakistan:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India andIran
Map references: Asia
Area:total area: 803,940 sq kmland area: 778,720 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total 6,774 km, Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km,India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: status of Kashmir with India; border question with Afghanistan (Durand Line); water-sharing problems (Wular Barrage) over the Indus with upstream riparian India
Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic innorth
Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;Balochistan plateau in west
Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limitedpetroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 4% other: 67% (1993)
Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992)
Environment:current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes,and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; amajority of the population does not have access to potable water;deforestation; soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especiallyin north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (Julyand August)international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands;signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea, MarineLife Conservation
Note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routesbetween Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
@Pakistan:People
Population: 131,541,920 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (female 28,033,354; male 29,777,818)15-64 years: 52% (female 33,456,410; male 35,109,482)65 years and over: 4% (female 2,556,846; male 2,608,010) (July 1995est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 41.8 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 12.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -16.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 99.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.86 years male: 57.18 years female: 58.56 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic divisions: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir(immigrants from India and their descendents)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, andother 3%
Languages: Urdu (official), English (official; lingua franca ofPakistani elite and most government ministries), Punjabi 64%, Sindhi12%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu 7%, Balochi and other 9%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 35%male: 47%female: 21%
Labor force: 36 millionby occupation: agriculture 46%, mining and manufacturing 18%, services17%, other 19%note: extensive export of labor
@Pakistan:Government
Names:conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistanconventional short form: Pakistanformer: West Pakistan
Digraph: PK
Type: republic
Capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of therepublic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored withamendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions toaccommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates andreserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims
Executive branch:chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI; election last held 13November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14 October 1998); results- LEGHARI was elected by Parliament and the four provincial assemblies
head of government: Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTOcabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)Senate: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA March1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (87 total) PPP22, PML/N 17; Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, ANP 6, PML/J5, JWP 5, MQM/A 5, JUI/F 2, PKMAP 2, JI 2, NPP 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1,JUP/NI 1, JUP/NO 1, JAH 1, JUI/S 1, PML/F 1, PNP 1, independents 2,vacant 1National Assembly: elections last held 6 October 1993 (next to be heldby October 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (217total) PPP 92, PML/N 75, PML/J 6, IJM-Islamic Democratic Front 4, ANP3, PKMAP 4, PIF 3, JWP 2, MDM 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1, NDA 1, NPP 1, PKQP1, Religious minorities 10 reserved seats, independents 9, resultspending 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court
Political parties and leaders:government: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; PakistanMuslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; NationalPeople's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli AwamiParty (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National Movement,Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; National Democratic Alliance(NDA), Maulana Kausar NIAZI; Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), MohammedAFZAL Khan; Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTIopposition: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N),Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Khan Abdul WALI KHAN;Pakistan Islamic Front (PIF), Qazi Hussain AHMED; Balochistan NationalMovement, Mengal Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mohajir QuamiMovement, Altaf faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamaat-i-Islami (JI),Qazi Hussain AHMED; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH)frequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana Sami-ul-HAQ,the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI) andAnjuman Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (ASSP); Islami-Jamhoori-Mahaz(IJM-Islamic Democratic Party), the IJM includes JamiatUlema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F); Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan,Noorani faction (JUP/NO); Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction(JUI/S); Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group (PML/F); PakistanNational Party (PNP)note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Other political or pressure groups: military remains importantpolitical force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and smallmerchants also influential
Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMIL, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Maleeha LODHI chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John C. MONJO embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, PSC 1212, Box 2000, Unit 6220, Islamabad; APO AE 09812-2000 telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179 FAX: [92] (51) 214222 consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore consulate(s): Peshawar
Flag: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
@Pakistan:Economy
Overview: The Pakistani economy has made progress in several key areas since Benazir BHUTTO became Prime Minister in October 1993. She has been under pressure from international donors and the IMF - which gave Pakistan a $1.3 billion structural adjustment credit in February 1994 - to continue the economic reforms and austerity measures begun by her predecessor, caretaker Prime Minister Moeen QURESHI (July-October 1993). Foreign exchange reserves climbed to more than $3 billion in 1994, and the budget deficit was substantially reduced. Real GDP growth was 4% in FY93/94, up from 2.3% in FY92/93. Foreign direct and portfolio investment also have increased. Privatization of large public sector utilities began in 1994 with the sale of 12% of the Pakistan Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA); the sale of state-owned banks and other large units are planned for 1995. Still, the government must cope with long-standing economic vulnerabilities - high levels of debt service and defense spending, a small tax base, a huge population, and dependence on cotton-based exports - which hamper its ability to create a stable economic environment. In addition, Pakistan's infrastructure is inadequate and deteriorating, low levels of literacy constrain industrial growth, and increasing sectarian, ethnic, and tribal violence disrupt production.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $248.5 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,930 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (FY93/94)
Unemployment rate: 10% (FY90/91 est.)
Budget:revenues: $10.5 billionexpenditures: $11.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1billion (FY93/94)
Exports: $6.7 billion (1993) commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets partners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France
Imports: $9.5 billion (1993) commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea
External debt: $24 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 5.6% (FY93/94); accounts for 18% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 10,800,000 kW (1994) production: 52.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 389 kWh (1993)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Agriculture: 24% of GDP; world's largest contiguous irrigation system; major crops - cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; livestock products - milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade; remains world's third largest opium producer (160 metric tons in 1994); major center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western market
Economic aid:recipient: $2.5 billion (FY91/92); $2.5 billion (FY92/93); $2.5billion (FY93/94); no US commitments, includes bi- and multilateralaid
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 30.860 (January 1995), 30.570 (1994), 28.107 (1993), 25.083 (1992), 23.801 (1991), 21.707 (1990)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Pakistan:Transportation
Railroads:total: 8,773 kmbroad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (286 km electrified; 1,037 doubletrack)narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge; 610 km less than 1.000-m gauge(1985)
Highways: total: 177,410 km paved: 94,027 km unpaved: 83,383 km (1991 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas4,044 km (1987)
Ports: Gwadar, Karachi, Ormaro (under construction), Port Muhammad binQasim
Merchant marine:total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 352,189 GRT/532,782 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 25, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 3
Airports:total: 119with paved runways over 3,047 m: 12with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 33with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 14with paved runways under 914 m: 24with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 7with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 8
@Pakistan:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; about 7 telephones/1,000 persons; thedomestic telephone system is poor, adequate only for government andbusiness use; the system for international traffic is betterlocal: NAintercity: microwave radio relayinternational: 3 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) earthstations; microwave radio relay
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 19, FM 8, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 29televisions: NA
@Pakistan:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard, paramilitary/security forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 30,219,551; males fit for military service 18,544,008; males reach military age (17) annually 1,429,719 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.2 billion, 5.6% ofGDP (FY94/95)
________________________________________________________________________
@Palau:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 458 sq kmland area: 458 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: about 200 islands varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste;threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging andillegal fishing practices that involve the use of dynamitenatural hazards: typhoons (June to December)international agreements: NA
Note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
@Palau:People
Population: 16,661 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.76% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 22.11 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.01 years male: 69.14 years female: 73.02 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.85 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan
Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, andMelanesian races
Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah'sWitnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-DaySaints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes thisreligion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese(official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese (in the stateof Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in the other 13states)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population: 92%male: 93%female: 90%
Labor force: NAby occupation: NA
@Palau:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Palauconventional short form: Palauformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Digraph: PS
Type: self-governing territory in free association with the US pursuant to Compact of Free Association which entered into force 1 October 1994; Palau is fully responsible for internal affairs; US retains responsibility for external affairs
Capital: Korornote: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in easternBabelthuap
Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states:Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard,Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal,Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA(since 1 January 1993), Vice-President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since1 January 1993); election last held 4 November 1992 (next to be heldNA November 1996); results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG49.3%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) Senate: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14 total) number of seats by party NA House of Delegates: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (16 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, National Court, Court of Common Pleas
Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer), UN
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Liaison Officer NAliaison office: 444 North Capital Street NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: (202) 624-7793FAX: NAnote: relationship of free association with the US pursuant to compactof free association which entered into force 1 October 1994
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Liaison Officer Lloyd W. MOSSliaison office: Erenguul Street, Koror, Republic of Palaumailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940telephone: [680] 488-2920FAX: [680] 488-2911note: relationship of free association with the US pursuant to compactof free association which entered into force 1 October 1994
Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon)shifted slightly to the hoist side
@Palau:Economy
Overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The compact of "free association" with the United States, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with $500 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing some military facilities. The population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994est.)note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $5,000 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1986)
Budget: revenues: $6 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1986 est.)
Exports: $600,000 (f.o.b., 1989)commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicraftspartners: US, Japan
Imports: $24.6 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: NA partners: US
External debt: about $100 million (1989)
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 16,000 kW production: 22 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,540 kWh (1990)
Industries: tourism, craft items (shell, wood, pearl), some commercialfishing and agriculture
Agriculture: subsistence-level production of coconut, copra, cassava,sweet potatoes
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.56 billion;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $92 million
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Palau:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: gravel 25 km
Ports: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 3with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2
@Palau:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 2televisions: NA
@Palau:Defense Forces
Branches: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US pursuant to Compact ofFree Association which entered into force 1 October 1994
________________________________________________________________________
(territory of the US)
@Palmyra Atoll:Geography
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 11.9 sq kmland area: 11.9 sq kmcomparative area: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 14.5 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain: low, with maximum elevations of about 2 meters
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 100% other: 0%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
@Palmyra Atoll:People
Population: uninhabited
@Palmyra Atoll:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Digraph: LQ
Type: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
@Palmyra Atoll:Economy
Overview: no economic activity
@Palmyra Atoll:Transportation
Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during the war are unserviceable and overgrown
Ports: West Lagoon
Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1
@Palmyra Atoll:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
________________________________________________________________________
@Panama:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 78,200 sq kmland area: 75,990 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total 555 km, Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May toJanuary), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, uplandplains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp
Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 54% other: 23%
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatensfishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; landdegradationnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, butnot ratified - Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine LifeConservation, Tropical Timber 94
Note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridgeconnecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that linksNorth Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
@Panama:People
Population: 2,680,903 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 34% (female 439,491; male 458,817)15-64 years: 61% (female 812,876; male 823,124)65 years and over: 5% (female 74,672; male 71,923) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.9% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 24.12 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.79 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.2 years male: 72.57 years female: 77.97 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 70%,West Indian 14%, white 10%, Indian 6%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population: 89%male: 89%female: 88%
Labor force: 979,000 (1994 est.) by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture, hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%, manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3% note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
@Panama:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Panamaconventional short form: Panamalocal long form: Republica de Panamalocal short form: Panama
Digraph: PM
Type: constitutional republic
Capital: Panama
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui,Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, Veraguas
Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent fromSpain 28 November 1821)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto PEREZBALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994, elected 8 May1994); First Vice President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez(since 1 September 1994 election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held9 May 1999); results - Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, MireyaMOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA) 29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES(MOLIRENA) 16%cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralLegislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): legislators from outlyingrural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districtslocated in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislatorsby means of a proportion-based formula; elections last held 8 May 1994(next to be held 9 May 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA ;seats - (72 total) PRD 32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14, MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA3, PRC 3, PL 2, PDC 1, UDI 1, MORENA 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia),5 superior courts, 3 courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:governing coalition: Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), GerardoGONZALEZ; Solidarity Party (PS), Samuel LEWIS GALINDO; LiberalRepublican Party (PLR), Rodolfo CHIARI; Labor Party (PALA), CarlosLopez GUEVARAother parties: Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA),Alfredo RAMIREZ; Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA;Arnulfista Party (PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; Christian DemocraticParty (PDC), Raul OSSA; Liberal Party (PL), Roberto ALEMAN Zubieta;Papa Egoro Movement (MPE), Ruben BLADES; Civic Renewal Party (PRC),Tomas HERRERA; National Unity Mission Party (MUN), Jose ManuelPAREDES; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jacinto CARDENAS;National Renovation Movement (MORENA), Pedro VALLERINO
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of OrganizedWorkers (CONATO); National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP);Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE); National CivicCrusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists Society (SIP);Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama (CTRP)
Member of: AG (associate), CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS,OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo Alberto ARIAS chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Oliver P. GARZA embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945; APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 27-1777 FAX: [507] 27-1964
Flag: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
@Panama:Economy
Overview: Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. Trade and financial ties with the US are especially close. GDP grew at 3.6% in 1994, a respectable rate, yet below the 7.1% average of the early 1990s. Banking and financial services and trade through the Colon Free Zone continued to expand rapidly, with the industrial and agricultural sectors experiencing little growth. The new administration, inaugurated 1 September 1994, has launched an economic plan designed to reverse rising unemployment, attract foreign investment, cut back the size of government, and modernize the economy. The success of the plan in meeting its goals for 1995 and beyond depends largely on the success of the administration in reforming the labor code and instituting the reforms necessary to join the GATT.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 3.6% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $4,670 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 12.9% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.93 billionexpenditures: $1.93 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994)
Exports: $520 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2%
partners: US 45%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Imports: $2.205 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumergoods, chemicalspartners: US 40%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
External debt: $6.7 billion (yearend 1993 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 1.8% (1994 est.); accounts for about 9% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 960,000 kW production: 2.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,047 kWh (1993)
Industries: manufacturing and construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP (1992 est.); crops - bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane; livestock; fishing; importer of food grain, vegetables
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and drug moneylaundering center
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $516 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $582 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4 million
Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Panama:Transportation
Railroads: total: 238 km broad gauge: 78 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 160 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:total: 8,530 kmpaved: 2,745 kmunpaved: gravel, crushed stone 3,270 km; improved, unimproved earth2,515 km
Inland waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 kmPanama Canal
Pipelines: crude oil 130 km
Ports: Bahia de las Minas, Balboa, Colon, Cristobal, Panama
Merchant marine:total: 3,526 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 60,748,525GRT/95,102,552 DWTships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 787, cargo 1,070, chemical tanker175, combination bulk 33, combination ore/oil 25, container 259,liquefied gas tanker 125, livestock carrier 8, multifunctionlarge-load carrier 6, oil tanker 465, passenger 24, passenger-cargo 3,refrigerated cargo 284, roll-on/roll-off cargo 81, short-sea passenger34, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 137note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 93 countries; the 10major fleet flags are: Japan 1,171 ships, Greece 323, Hong Kong 276,US 212, Taiwan 184, Singapore 181, South Korea 172, China 145 ships,UK 102, and Norway 70
Airports:total: 115with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 14with paved runways under 914 m: 74with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 20
@Panama:Communications
Telephone system: 220,000 telephones; domestic and internationalfacilities well developedlocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean)earth stations; connected to the Central American Microwave System
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 23televisions: NA
@Panama:Defense Forces
Branches: Panamanian Public Forces (PPF; includes the National Police or PNP, Maritime Service, National Air Service, and Institutional Protective Service); Judicial Branch Technical Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 701,691; males fit for militaryservice 481,927 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: expenditures for the Panamanian security forcesamounted to $105 million, 1.0% of GDP (1993 est.)
________________________________________________________________________
@Papua New Guinea:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 461,690 sq kmland area: 451,710 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than California