US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Burton STOKESembassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahemailing address: Box 148, Unit 62501, Victoria, Seychelles; APO AE09815-2501telephone: [248] 225256FAX: [248] 225189
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green;the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest
@Seychelles:Economy
Overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output has grown to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level, led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war. Although the industry has rebounded, the government recognizes the continuing need for upgrading the sector in the face of stiff international competition.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $430 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: -2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1987)
Budget:revenues: $227.4 millionexpenditures: $263 million, including capital expenditures of $54million (1993 est.)
Exports: $50 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products(re-exports)partners: France 43%, UK 22%, Reunion 11%, (1992)
Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco,beverages, machinery and transportation equipmentpartners: Singapore 16%, Bahrain 16%, South Africa, 14%, UK 13% (1992)
External debt: $181 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1992); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 110 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,399 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir rope factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage
Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP, mostly subsistence farming; cash crops - coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla; other products - sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas; broiler chickens; large share of food needs imported; expansion of tuna fishing under way
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $26 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1978-89), $315 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $60 million
Currency: 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 4.9371 (January 1995), 5.0559 (1994), 5.1815 (1993), 5.1220 (1992), 5.2893 (1991), 5.3369 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Seychelles:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 260 km paved: 160 km unpaved: crushed stone, earth 100 km
Ports: Victoria
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 14with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5with paved runways under 914 m: 6with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2
@Seychelles:Communications
Telephone system: 13,000 telephones; direct radio communications withadjacent islands and African coastal countrieslocal: NAintercity: radio communicationsinternational: 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 2televisions: NA
@Seychelles:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, PresidentialProtection Unit, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 19,829; males fit for militaryservice 10,099 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12 million, 4% ofGDP (1990 est.)
________________________________________________________________________
@Sierra Leone:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenGuinea and Liberia
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 71,740 sq kmland area: 71,620 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total 958 km, Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December);winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, uplandplateau, mountains in east
Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold,chromite
Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 31% forest and woodland: 29% other: 13%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment;overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, andslash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soilexhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishingnatural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara(November to May); sandstorms, dust stormsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species,Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed,but not ratified - Climate Change, Environmental Modification
@Sierra Leone:People
Population: 4,753,120 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (female 1,054,826; male 1,020,943)15-64 years: 53% (female 1,310,506; male 1,216,510)65 years and over: 3% (female 72,982; male 77,353) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.63% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 44.65 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 18.38 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: thousands of refugees, fleeing the civil strife in Sierra Leone, are taking refuge in Guinea
Infant mortality rate: 138.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.94 years male: 44.07 years female: 49.89 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.9 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic divisions: 13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%), Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%
Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages: English (official; regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, orArabic (1990 est.)total population: 21%male: 31%female: 11%
Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.)by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.)
note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)
@Sierra Leone:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leoneconventional short form: Sierra Leone
Digraph: SL
Type: military government
Capital: Freetown
Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern,Southern, Western*
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution: 1 October 1991; suspended following 19 April 1992 coup
Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Supreme Councilof State Capt. Valentine E. M. STRASSER (since 29 April 1992)cabinet: Council of Secretaries; responsible to the Supreme Council ofState (SCS)
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992); Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in 1995
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992)
Political parties and leaders: status of existing political parties isunknown following 29 April 1992 coup
Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas Kahota KARGBOchancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Lauralee M. PETERS embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 trough 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
@Sierra Leone:Economy
Overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed. Agriculture generates about 40% of GDP and employs about two-thirds of the working population, with subsistence agriculture dominating the sector. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP, consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides an important source of hard currency. Since 1990, the government has been able to meet its IMF- and World Bank-mandated stabilization targets, holding down fiscal deficits, increasing foreign exchange reserves, and retiring much of its domestic debt - but at a steep cost in terms of capital investments and social spending. Moreover, the economic infrastructure has nearly collapsed due to neglect and war-related disruptions in the mining and agricultural export sectors. The continuing civil war in Liberia has led to a large influx of refugees, who place additional burdens on Sierra Leon's fragile economy.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: 0.7% (1993 est.)
National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $68 millionexpenditures: $118 million, including capital expenditures of $28million (1992 est.)
Exports: $149 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: rutile 48%, bauxite 25%, diamonds 16%, coffee, cocoa,fishpartners: US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe
Imports: $149 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: foodstuffs 48%, machinery and equipment 32%, fuels 9% partners: US, EC countries, Japan, China, Nigeria
External debt: $1.15 billion (yearend 1993)
Industrial production: growth rate -1.5% (FY91/92); accounts for 11% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 130,000 kW production: 220 million kWh consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993)
Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refinery
Agriculture: largely subsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa,palm kernels; harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domesticneeds; annual fish catch averages 53,000 metric tons
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $848 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million
Currency: 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 617.67 (January 1995), 586.74 (1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Sierra Leone:Transportation
Railroads:total: 84 km mineral line is used on a limited basis because the mineat Marampa is closednarrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:total: 7,400 kmpaved: 1,150 kmunpaved: crushed stone, gravel 490 km; improved earth 5,760 km
Inland waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 11with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 3with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 4
@Sierra Leone:Communications
Telephone system: 23,650 telephones; telephone density - 5telephones/1,000 persons; marginal telephone and telegraph servicelocal: NAintercity: national microwave radio relay system made unserviceable bymilitary activitiesinternational: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1televisions: NA
@Sierra Leone:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,030,332; males fit formilitary service 498,945 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.6% ofGDP (FY92/93)
________________________________________________________________________
@Singapore:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 632.6 sq kmland area: 622.6 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as definedin treaties and practiceterritorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dryseasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains watercatchment area and nature preserve
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 5% other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh waterresources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problemsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of theSea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed,but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
@Singapore:People
Population: 2,890,468 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (female 327,417; male 348,345)15-64 years: 70% (female 991,015; male 1,030,668)65 years and over: 7% (female 105,081; male 87,942) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.06% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 15.93 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.16 years male: 73.28 years female: 79.25 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.87 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3%
Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu,Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist
Languages: Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil(official), English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population: 89%male: 95%female: 83%
Labor force: 1.649 million (1994)by occupation: financial, business, and other services 33.5%,manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4%(1994)
@Singapore:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Singaporeconventional short form: Singapore
Digraph: SN
Type: republic within Commonwealth
Capital: Singapore
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependenceState of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993);election last held 28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1997);results - ONG Teng Cheong was elected with 59% of the vote in thecountry's first popular election for presidenthead of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November1990); Deputy Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990)cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president, responsible toparliament
Legislative branch: unicameralParliament: elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held by 31August 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:government: People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretarygeneralopposition: Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; SingaporeDemocratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan; National Solidarity Party(NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA;Singapore People's Party (SPP), SIN Kek Tong
Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UPU,WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHAN chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy A. CHORBA embassy: 30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617 mailing address: FPO AP 96534 telephone: [65] 3380251 FAX: [65] 3384550
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
@Singapore:Economy
Overview: Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. The economy registered 10.1% growth in 1994, with prospects for 7.5%-8.5% growth in 1995. In 1994, the manufacturing and financial and business services sectors have led economic growth. Exports boomed, led by the electronics sector, particularly US demand for disk drives. Rising labor costs continue to be a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, but there are indications that productivity is keeping up. In applied technology, per capita output, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a developed country.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $57 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 10.1% (1994)
National product per capita: $19,940 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $11.9 billionexpenditures: $10.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.9billion (FY93/94 est.)
Exports: $96.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products, telecommunications equipment partners: Malaysia 20%, US 19%, Hong Kong 9%, Japan 7%, Thailand 6% (1994)
Imports: $102.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: Japan 22%, Malaysia 16%, US 15%, Taiwan 4%, Saudi Arabia 4% (1994)
External debt: $20 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 13% (1994 est.); accounts for 28% of GDP (1993)
Electricity: capacity: 4,510,000 kW production: 17 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,590 kWh (1993)
Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology
Agriculture: minor importance in the economy; self-sufficient inpoultry and eggs; must import much of other food; major crops -rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to theUS, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a major money-launderingcenter
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $1 billion
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.4524 (January 1995), 1.5275 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Singapore:Transportation
Railroads: total: 38.6 km narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 2,883 km paved: 2,796 km unpaved: 87 km (1991 est.)
Ports: Singapore
Merchant marine:total: 563 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,167,596GRT/17,845,687 DWTships by type: bulk 96, cargo 121, chemical tanker 16, combinationbulk 2, combination ore/oil 7, container 78, liquefied gas tanker 6,oil tanker 198, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12,short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 22note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 20 countries amongwhich are Japan 35 ships, Denmark 21, Germany 21, Hong Kong 18,Belgium 14, Thailand 11, Sweden 8, US 7, Indonesia 6, and Norway 5;Singapore owns 1 ship under Malaysia registry
Airports:total: 10with 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: 1
@Singapore:Communications
Telephone system: 1,110,000 telephones; good domestic facilities; goodinternational service; good radio and television broadcast coveragelocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: submarine cables extend to Malaysia (Sabah andPeninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; 2 INTELSAT (1Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) earth stations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 2televisions: NA
@Singapore:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 860,437; males fit for militaryservice 629,973 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, 6% ofGDP (1993 est.)
________________________________________________________________________
@Slovakia:Geography
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe
Area:total area: 48,845 sq kmland area: 48,800 sq kmcomparative area: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total 1,355 km, Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km,Hungary 515 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part andlowlands in the south
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore,copper and manganese ore; salt
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: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents humanhealth risks; acid rain damaging forestsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Note: landlocked
@Slovakia:People
Population: 5,432,383 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (female 609,795; male 638,346)15-64 years: 66% (female 1,807,312; male 1,778,712)65 years and over: 11% (female 364,610; male 233,608) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.54% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 14.51 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.24 years male: 69.15 years female: 77.57 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak
Ethnic divisions: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%,Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy: NA%
Labor force: 2.484 million by occupation: industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communication and other 44.3% (1990)
@Slovakia:Government
Names:conventional long form: Slovak Republicconventional short form: Slovakialocal long form: Slovenska Republikalocal short form: Slovensko
Digraph: LO
Type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bratislava
Administrative divisions: 4 departments (kraje, singular - kraj)Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, August 29(1944)
Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993);election last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results- Michal KOVAC elected by the National Councilhead of government: Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since 12 December1994)cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of theprime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Council (Narodni Rada): elections last held 30 September-1October 1994 (next to be held by October 1998); results - HZDS 35%,SDL 10.4%, Hungarian coalition (Hungarian Christian Democrats,Hungarian Civic Party, Coexistence) 10.2%, KDH 10.1%, DU 8.6%, ZRS7.3%, SNS 5.4%; seats - (150 total) governing coalition 83 (HZDS 61,ZRS 13, SNS 9), opposition 67 (SDL 18, Hungarian coalition 17, KDH 17,DU 15)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Movement for a Democratic Slovakia(HZDS), Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Common Choice/Party of theDemocratic Left (SDL), Peter WEISS, chairman; Hungarian ChristianDemocrats, Vojtech BUGAR; Hungarian Civic Party; Coexistence, MiklosDURAY, chairman; Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Jan CARNOGURSKY;Democratic Union (DU), Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman; Association of SlovakWorkers (ZRS), Jan LUPTAK, chairman; Slovak National Party (SNS), JanSLOTA, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Green Party; Social DemocraticParty of Slovakia; Slovak Christian Union
Member of: Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD,ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM II,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIL, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UPU, WEU (associatepartner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Branislav LICHARDUSchancery: (temporary) Suite 380, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington,DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 965-5161FAX: [1] (202) 965-5166
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore E. RUSSELL embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [42] (7) 330-861, 333-338 FAX: [42] (7) 330-096
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
@Slovakia:Economy
Overview: In 1994 macroeconomic performance improved steadily but privatization progressed only in fits and starts. Most of Slovakia's IMF-approved targets were met by an interim government that lasted 9 months. Annual inflation fell from 23% in 1993 to 12%; unemployment at 14.6% was still well below forecasts of 17%; and the budget deficit was around half that in 1993. Slovakia's nearly $200 million trade surplus also compares favorably with a more than $800 million deficit in 1993. Furthermore, after contracting almost 25% in the three years following 1990, GDP grew 4.3% in 1994, according to official statistics. Bratislava in June qualified for a $254 million IMF stand-by loan and the second $90 million tranche of its Systemic Transformation Facility and, in December, received approval for a European Union loan worth about $160 million. By the end of September 1994, the Central Bank's foreign currency reserves had tripled since the end of 1993. Slovakia continued to have difficulty attracting foreign investment, however, because of perceived political instability and halting progress in privatization. The interim government prepared property worth nearly $2 billion for the second wave of coupon privatization and sold participation in the program to over 80% of Slovakia's eligible citizens. Parties controlling the new Parliament in November 1994, however, put the second wave of coupon privatization on hold and suspended sales of 38 firms until the new government could evaluate the interim government's decisions in early 1995. The new government's targets for 1995 include GDP growth of 3%, inflation of 8%-10%, unemployment of 15%, and a budget deficit under 3% of GDP. Continuing economic recovery in western Europe should boost Slovak exports and production, but Slovakia's image with foreign creditors and investors could suffer setbacks in 1995 if progress on privatization stalls or budget deficits mount beyond IMF-recommended levels.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $32.8 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4.3% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $6,070 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 14.6% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $4.4 billionexpenditures: $4.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $350million (1994 est.)
Exports: $6.3 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1994) commodities: machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, and metals; agricultural products partners: Czech Republic 37.7%, Germany 17.1%, Hungary 5.3%, Austria 5.3%, Italy 4.6%, Russia 4.0%, Poland 2.6%, Ukraine 1.8%, US 1.6% (January-September 1994)
Imports: $6.1 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1994) commodities: machinery and transport equipment; fuels and lubricants; manufactured goods; raw materials; chemicals; agricultural products partners: Czech Republic 29.9%, Russia 19.0%, Germany 13.2%, Austria 5.8%, Italy 4.3%, US 2.6%, Poland 2.4%, Ukraine 1.9%, Hungary 1.6% (January-September 1994)
External debt: $4.2 billion hard currency indebtedness (1994 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 6,300,000 kW production: 20.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,609 kWh (1993)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, and water; coking, oil production, and nuclear fuel production; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Agriculture: largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin boundfor Western Europe
Economic aid:donor: the former Czechoslovakia was a donor - $4.2 billion inbilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89)
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 31.14 (September 1994), 32.9(December 1993), 28.59 (December 1992), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991),17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989); note - values before 1993 reflectCzechoslovak exchange rate
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Slovakia:Transportation
Railroads:total: 3,660 km (electrified 635 km)broad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 3,511 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 47 km (35 km 1,000-m gauge; 12 km 0.750-m gauge) (1994)
Highways: total: 17,650 km (1990) paved: NA unpaved: NA
Inland waterways: NA km
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine:total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,160 GRT/6,163 DWT
Airports:total: 37with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 4with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 10with unpaved runways under 914 m: 11
@Slovakia:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA
Radio:broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NAradios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: NAtelevisions: NA
@Slovakia:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, RailroadUnits
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,443,719; males fit formilitary service 1,107,453; males reach military age (18) annually49,045 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: 9.59 billion koruny, 3.1% of GDP (1994 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
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@Slovenia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenCroatia and Italy
Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe
Area:total area: 20,296 sq kmland area: 20,296 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total 1,045 km, Austria 262 km, Croatia 501 km, Italy199 km, Hungary 83 km
Coastline: 32 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic and over some border areas; the border issue is currently under negotiation
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate withmild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys tothe east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 45% other: 23%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrialwaste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxicchemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating atmetallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rainnatural hazards: flooding and earthquakesinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur94, Biodiversity, Climate Change
@Slovenia:People
Population: 2,051,522 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (female 191,318; male 200,957)15-64 years: 69% (female 701,082; male 708,482)65 years and over: 12% (female 160,662; male 89,021) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.24% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 11.85 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 9.27 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.73 years male: 70.91 years female: 78.76 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%, other 3%
Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2%
Literacy: NA%
Labor force: 786,036 by occupation: agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%
@Slovenia:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form: Slovenialocal long form: Republika Slovenijelocal short form: Slovenija
Digraph: SI
Type: emerging democracy
Capital: Ljubljana
Administrative divisions: 60 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina)Ajdovscina, Brezice, Celje, Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd, GornjaRadgona, Grosuplje, Hrastnik Lasko, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola,Jesenice, Kamnik, Kocevje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Lenart, Lendava,Litija, Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center, Ljubljana-Moste-Polje,Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik, Ljutomer, Logatec, Maribor,Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ormoz,Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje Ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne NaKoroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur Pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, SkofjaLoka, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, SmarjePri Jelsah, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika,Zagorje Ob Savi, Zalec
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990); electionlast held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - MilanKUCAN reelected by direct popular votehead of government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992)cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: bicameral National AssemblyState Assembly: elections last held 6 December 1992 (next to be heldNA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (90 total)LDS 22, SKD 15, United List (former Communists and allies) 14, SloveneNational Party 12, SLS 10, Democratic Party 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4, Hungarianminority 1, Italian minority 1State Council: will become operational after next election in 1996; inthe election of 6 December 1992, 40 members were elected to representlocal and socioeconomic interests
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic (LDS), Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Slovene Christian Democrats (SKD), Lozje PETERLE, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDSS), Janez JANSA, chairman; Slovene People's National Party, Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; United List (former Communists and allies), Janez KOCJANCIC, chairman; Slovene People's Party (SLS), Ivan OMAN, chairman; Democratic Party, Igor BAVCAR, chairman; Greens of Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT, chairman note: parties have changed as of the December 1992 elections
Other political or pressure groups: none
Member of: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ernest PETRIC chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador E. Allan WENDT embassy: P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy, Ljubljana, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (61) 301-427, 472, 485 FAX: [386] (61) 301-401
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
@Slovenia:Economy
Overview: Slovenia appears to be making a solid economic recovery, fulfilling the promise it showed at the time of Yugoslavia's breakup. It was by far the most prosperous of the former Yugoslav republics, with a per capita income more than twice the national average. It also benefited from strong ties to Western Europe and suffered comparatively small physical damage in the dismemberment process. The beginning was difficult, however. Real GDP fell 15% during 1991-92, while inflation jumped to 247% in 1991 and unemployment topped 8% - nearly three times the 1989 level. The turning point came in 1993 when real GDP grew 1%, unemployment leveled off at about 9%, and inflation slowed dramatically to 23%. In 1994, the rate of growth of GDP rose to 4%, unemployment remained stable, and inflation dropped to 20%. This was accomplished, moreover, without balance-of-payments problems. The government gets generally good economic marks from foreign observers, particularly with regard to fiscal policy - the budget deficit in 1994 was only about 1% of GDP, following several years of small surpluses. Prospects for 1995 appear good, with economic growth expected to remain strong while unemployment and inflation may decline slightly. Privatization, sluggish to date, is expected to pick up in 1995.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $16 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $8,110 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $9.9 billionexpenditures: $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993)
Exports: $6.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: machinery and transport equipment 27%, intermediatemanufactured goods 26%, chemicals 9%, food 4.8%, raw materials 3%,consumer goods 26% (1993)partners: Germany 29.5%, former Yugoslavia 15.8%, Italy 12.4%, France8.7%, Austria 5.0% (1993)
Imports: $6.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 30%, intermediate manufactured goods 17.6%, chemicals 11.5%, raw materials 5.3%, fuels and lubricants 10.8%, food 8.4% (1993) partners: Germany 25.0%, Italy 16.1%, former Yugoslavia 10.7%, France 8.0%, Austria 8.5% (1993)
External debt: $2.1 billion (1994)
Industrial production: growth rate 6% (1994 est.); accounts for 37% ofGDP (1993)
Electricity:capacity: 2,700,000 kWproduction: 8.9 billion kWhconsumption per capita: 4,470 kWh (1993)
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Agriculture: accounts for 4.8% of GDP (1993); dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming; main crops - potatoes, hops, hemp, flax; an export surplus in these commodities; Slovenia must import many other agricultural products and has a negative overall trade balance in this sector
Illicit drugs: NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates: tolars (SIT) per US$1 - 127 (January 1995), 112 (June 1993), 28 (January 1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Slovenia:Transportation
Railroads: total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 499 km) (1994)
Highways:total: 14,726 kmpaved: 11,046 km (187 km expressways)unpaved: gravel 3,680 km (1992)
Inland waterways: NA
Pipelines: crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports: Izola, Koper, Piran
Merchant marine:total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 265,937 GRT/449,205 DWT(controlled by Slovenian owners)ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 6note: ships under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,Singapore, Liberia; no ships remain under the Slovenian flag
Airports:total: 14with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 5with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2
@Slovenia:Communications
Telephone system: 130,000 telephoneslocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: NA
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 0radios: 370,000
Television:broadcast stations: 7televisions: 330,000
@Slovenia:Defense Forces
Branches: Slovene Defense Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 542,815; males fit for military service 434,302; males reach military age (19) annually 15,350 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: 13.5 billion tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
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@Solomon Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 28,450 sq kmland area: 27,540 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 93% other: 4%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; much of the surroundingcoral reefs are dead or dyingnatural hazards: typhoons, but they are rarely destructive;geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanicactivityinternational agreements: party to - Climate Change, EnvironmentalModification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law ofthe Sea
@Solomon Islands:People
Population: 399,206 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46% (female 90,293; male 93,695)15-64 years: 51% (female 100,183; male 103,374)65 years and over: 3% (female 5,738; male 5,923) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.4% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 38.48 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.51 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 26.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.84 years male: 68.38 years female: 73.41 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.59 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%,European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Religions: Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, otherProtestant 5%, traditional beliefs 4%
Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca,English spoken by 1%-2% of populationnote: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: NA%
Labor force: NAby occupation: agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%, services 25%,construction, manufacturing, and mining 7.0%, commerce, transport, andfinance 4.7% (1984)
@Solomon Islands:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Solomon Islandsformer: British Solomon Islands
Digraph: BP
Type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Honiara
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 town*; Central,Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western
Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978)