Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie,French - Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: Flemish Christian Democrats (CVP -Christian People's Party), Johan van HECKE, president; FrancophoneChristian Democrats (PSC - Social Christian Party), Gerard DEPREZ,president; Flemish Socialist Party (SP), Louis TOBBACK, president;Francophone Socialist Party (PS), Philippe BUSQUIN, president; FlemishLiberal Democrats (VLD), Guy VERHOFSTADT, president; FrancophoneLiberal Reform Party (PRL), Jean GOL, president; FrancophoneDemocratic Front (FDF), Georges CLERFAYT, president; Volksunie (VU),Bert ANCIAUX, president; Vlaams Blok (VB), Karel DILLEN, chairman;ROSSEM, Jean Pierre VAN ROSSEM; National Front (FN), Daniel FERET,president; AGALEV (Flemish Greens), no president; ECOLO (FrancophoneEcologists), no president; other minor parties
Other political or pressure groups: Christian and Socialist TradeUnions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associationsrepresenting bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and thelegal and medical professions; various organizations represent thecultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups suchas the Flemish Action Committee Against Nuclear Weapons and PaxChristi
Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux,BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G- 9, G-10, GATT,IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA,UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andre ADAM (appointed 3 October 1994) chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. BLINKEN embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: APO AE 09724; PSC 82, Box 002, Brussels telephone: [32] (2) 513 38 30 FAX: [32] (2) 511 27 25
Flag: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
@Belgium:Economy
Overview: This small private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although the government is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region of Walloon. With few natural resources Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Three-fourths of its trade is with other EU countries. The economy grew at a strong 4% pace during the period 1988-90, slowed to 1% in 1991-92, dropped by 1.5% in 1993, and recovered with 2.3% growth in 1994. Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government is trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with other industrialized countries.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $181.5 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2.3% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $18,040 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 14.1% (December 1994)
Budget:revenues: $97.8 billionexpenditures: $109.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1989)
Exports: $117 billion (f.o.b., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
commodities: iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products partners: EC 75.5%, US 3.7%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1991)
Imports: $120 billion (c.i.f., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
commodities: fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: EC 73%, US 4.8%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%, former Communist countries 1.8% (1991)
External debt: $31.3 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate -0.1% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 14,040,000 kW production: 66 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,334 kWh (1993)
Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Agriculture: accounts for 2.0% of GDP; emphasis on livestock production - beef, veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; net importer of farm products
Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine entering the European market
Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $5.8 billion
Currency: 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 31.549 (January 1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Belgium:Transportation
Railroads:total: 3,410 km (2,362 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)standard gauge: 3,410 km 1.435-m gauge (1994)
Highways:total: 137,912 kmpaved: 129,639 km (including 1,667 km of limited access dividedhighway)unpaved: 8,273 km (1992)
Inland waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
Pipelines: crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas3,300 km
Ports: Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende,Zeebrugge
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,055 GRT/56,842 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 2,oil tanker 5
Airports:total: 43with paved runways over 3,047 m: 6with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 22with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 3
@Belgium:Communications
Telephone system: 4,720,000 telephones; highly developed,technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic andinternational telephone and telegraph facilitieslocal: NAintercity: extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relaynetwork; nationwide mobile phone systeminternational: 5 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstations and 1 EUTELSAT earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 39, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 32televisions: NA
@Belgium:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,559,077; males fit for military service 2,126,875; males reach military age (19) annually 61,488 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.9 billion, 1.8% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
@Belize:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, betweenGuatemala and Mexico
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 22,960 sq kmland area: 22,800 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries: total 516 km, Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - fromthe mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorialsea is 3 miles; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, thepurpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for thenegotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences withGuatemala
International disputes: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks toresolve the dispute are stalled
Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)
Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 44% other: 52%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrialeffluents, agricultural runoffnatural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (September toDecember) and coastal flooding (especially in south)international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
@Belize:People
Population: 214,061 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (female 45,812; male 47,618)15-64 years: 53% (female 55,630; male 57,230)65 years and over: 3% (female 3,970; male 3,801) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.42% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 33.71 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 5.86 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 34.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.32 years male: 66.37 years female: 70.36 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.25 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%, other 8%
Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib)
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970)total population: 91%male: 91%female: 91%
Labor force: 51,500by occupation: agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%,commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3%note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel(1985)
@Belize:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Belizeformer: British Honduras
Digraph: BH
Type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Belmopan
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, OrangeWalk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution: 21 September 1981
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November1993)head of government: Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993);Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA 1993)cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice from theprime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly Senate: consists of an 8-member appointed body; 5 members are appointed on the advice of the prime minister, 2 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council (this council serves as an independent body to advise the governor-general with respect to difficult decisions such as granting pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the removal of justices of appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.) National Assembly: elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 13 UDP 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), GeorgePRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP),Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; National Alliance forBelizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON
Other political or pressure groups: Society for the Promotion ofEducation and Research (SPEAR), Assad SHOMAN; United Workers Front,leader NA
Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD,ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT(nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM,OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. LINDOchancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888consulate(s) general: Los Angelesconsulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNOembassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize Citymailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City; APO: Unit 7401, APO AA34025telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163FAX: [501] (2) 30802
Flag: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
@Belize:Economy
Overview: The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural diversification program.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $575 million (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $2,750 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)
Budget:revenues: $126.8 millionexpenditures: $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8million (FY90/91 est.)
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products,molasses, woodpartners: US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)
Imports: $281 million (c.i.f., 1993)commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food,manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticalspartners: US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)
External debt: $158 million (1992)
Industrial production: growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 34,532 kW production: 110 million kWh consumption per capita: 490 kWh (1993)
Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Agriculture: commercial crops: bananas, coca, citrus fruits, fish, cultured shrimp, lumber
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $215 million
Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Belize:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways:total: 2,710 kmpaved: 500 kmunpaved: gravel 1,600 km; improved earth 300 km; unimproved earth 310km
Inland waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft;seasonally navigable
Ports: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Merchant marine:total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 170,002 GRT/270,893 DWTships by type: bulk 5, cargo 25, container 4, oil tanker 2,refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 1
Airports:total: 46with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 35with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 9
@Belize:Communications
Telephone system: 8,650 telephones; above-average system based onmicrowave radio relaylocal: NAintercity: microwave radio relayinternational: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1televisions: NA
@Belize:Defense Forces
Branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, andVolunteer Guard), Belize National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 50,499; males fit for militaryservice 30,040; males reach military age (18) annually 2,285 (1995est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11 million, 2.2% ofGDP (FY93/94)
________________________________________________________________________
@Benin:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenNigeria and Togo
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 112,620 sq kmland area: 110,620 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria773 km, Togo 644 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 35% other: 45%
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: recent droughts have severely affected marginalagriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poachingthreatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertificationnatural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north inwinterinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,Law of the Sea
Note: no natural harbors
@Benin:People
Population: 5,522,677 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (female 1,324,553; male 1,333,673)15-64 years: 49% (female 1,431,630; male 1,299,180)65 years and over: 3% (female 74,119; male 59,522) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.33% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 47.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 13.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 107.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.24 years male: 50.34 years female: 54.2 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important beingFon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%
Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernacularsin south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 23%male: 32%female: 16%
Labor force: 1.9 million (1987) by occupation: agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%, industry less than 2%
@Benin:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Beninconventional short form: Beninlocal long form: Republique du Beninlocal short form: Beninformer: Dahomey
Digraph: BN
Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Capital: Porto-Novo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou,Mono, Oueme, Zou
Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990)
Constitution: 2 December 1990
Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Nicephore SOGLO(since 4 April 1991); election last held 10 and 24 March 1991 (nextelection 1996); results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32%cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 28 March 1995; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (83 total) Renaissance Party and allies 20, PRD 19, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2, Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, ADP 1, other 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: as of August 1994, 72 political partieswere officially recognized; the following are among the mostimportant: Alliance of the Democratic Union for the Forces of Progress(UDFP), Timothee ADANLIN; Movement for Democracy and Social Progress(MDPS), Jean-Roger AHOYO; Union for Liberty and Development (ULD),Marcellin DEGBE; Alliance of the National Party for Democracy andDevelopment (PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), PascalChabi KAO; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and theNational Union for Solidarity and Progress (UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; OurCommon Cause (NCC), Albert TEVOEDJRE; National Rally for Democracy(RND), Joseph KEKE; Alliance of the National Movement for Democracyand Development (MNDD), leader NA; Movement for Solidarity, Union, andProgress (MSUP), Adebo ADENIYI; Union for Democracy and NationalReconstruction (UDRN), Azaria FAKOREDE; Union for Democracy andNational Solidarity (UDS), Mama Amadou N'DIAYE; Assembly of LiberalDemocrats for National Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Alliancefor Social Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Bloc for Social Democracy(BSD), Michel MAGNIDE; Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP),Akindes ADEKPEDJOU, and the Democratic Union for Social Renewal(UDRS), Bio Gado Seko N'GOYE; National Union for Democracy andProgress (UNDP), Robert TAGNON; Party for Progress and Democracy,Thiophile NATA; FARD-ALAFIA, Mathieu KEREKOU; The Renaissance Party,Nicephore SOGLO; The Patriotic Union for the Republic (UPR),Jean-Marie ZAHOUN; Union for the Conservation of Democracy, BernardHOUEGNON
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77,GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN chancery: 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656, 6657, 6658 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ruth A. DAVIS embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92 FAX: [229] 41-15-22
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
@Benin:Economy
Overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a sound 4% in 1991-94 but this rate barely exceeds the rapid population growth of 3.3%. Inflation jumped to 35% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency devaluation in January. Commercial and transport activities, which make up almost 36% of GDP, are extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in Nigerian demand. The industrial sector accounts for less than 10% of GDP and mainly produces foods, beverages, cement, and textiles. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a bloated civil service, is gradually implementing a World Bank supported structural adjustment program.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.7 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,260 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $272 million (1993 est.)expenditures: $375 million, including capital expenditures of $84million (1993 est.)
Exports: $332 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa partners: FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4%
Imports: $571 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods partners: France 20%, Thailand 8%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%
External debt: $1 billion (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate -0.7% (1988); accounts for 10% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 10 million kWh consumption per capita: 25 kWh (1993)
Industries: textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, food, petroleum
Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP; small farms produce 90% of agricultural output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum, cassava, yams, beans, rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated withNigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined forWestern Europe and the US
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $46 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million
Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1- 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990)note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Benin:Transportation
Railroads: total: 578 km (single track) narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:total: 8,435 kmpaved: 1,038 kmunpaved: crushed stone 2,600 km; improved earth 1,530 km; unimprovedearth 3,267 km
Inland waterways: navigable along small sections, important onlylocally
Ports: Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 7with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 4
@Benin:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; fair system of open wire andmicrowave radio relaylocal: NAintercity: microwave radio relay and open wireinternational: 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station, submarinecable
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 2televisions: NA
@Benin:Defense Forces
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), NationalGendarmerie
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,165,463; females age 15-491,249,234; males fit for military service 596,956; females fit formilitary service 631,780; males reach military age (18) annually60,282 (1995 est.); females reach military age (18) annually 58,770(1995 est.)note: both sexes are liable for miltary service
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 3.2% ofGDP (1994)
________________________________________________________________________
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Bermuda:Geography
Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Map references: North America
Area:total area: 50 sq kmland area: 50 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: hurricanes (June to November)international agreements: NA
Note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall,but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed land leased by USGovernment
@Bermuda:People
Population: 61,629 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 15.07 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.03 years male: 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39%
Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970)total population: 98%male: 98%female: 99%
Labor force: 32,000by occupation: clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professionaland technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%,agriculture and fishing 2% (1984)
@Bermuda:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Bermuda
Digraph: BD
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Hamilton
Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*;Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, SaintGeorges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution: 8 June 1968
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992)head of government: Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January1982); Deputy Premier J. Irving PEARMAN (since 5 October 1993)cabinet: Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor House of Assembly: elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - percent of vote by party UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats - (40 total) UBP 22, PLP 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D.SWAN; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National LiberalParty (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL
Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU),Ottiwell SIMMONS
Member of: CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. FARMER consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE09727-1002telephone: [1] (809) 295-1342FAX: [1] (809) 295-1592
Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lionholding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Ventureoff Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
@Bermuda:Economy
Overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1994)
National product per capita: $28,000 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1991)
Budget:revenues: $327.5 millionexpenditures: $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4million (FY90/91 est.)
Exports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports ofpharmaceuticalspartners: US 62.4%, UK 20%
Imports: $519 million (f.o.b.,1993) commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery partners: US 38%, UK 5%, Canada 5%
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 140,000 kW production: 504 million kWh consumption per capita: 7,745 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Agriculture: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $277 million
Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Bermuda:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways:total: 210 kmpaved: 210 kmnote: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads thatare privately owned
Ports: Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine:total: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,144,245 GRT/5,152,030DWTships by type: bulk 14, cargo 4, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 15,oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5,short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 1note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 12 countries amongwhich are UK 6 ships, Canada 4, US 4, Sweden 3, Hong Kong 2, Mexico 2,Norway 2, Australia 1, Germany 1, NZ 1
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
@Bermuda:Communications
Telephone system: 52,670 telephones; modern, fully automatic telephonesystemlocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: 3 submarine cables; 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earthstations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 2televisions: NA
@Bermuda:Defense Forces
Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda ReserveConstabulary
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
________________________________________________________________________
@Bhutan:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references: Asia
Area:total area: 47,000 sq kmland area: 47,000 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries: total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: none
Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 70% other: 23%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable waternatural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are thesource of the country's name which translates as Land of the ThunderDragon; frequent landslides during the rainy seasoninternational agreements: party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but notratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controlsseveral key Himalayan mountain passes
@Bhutan:People
Population: 1,780,638 (July 1995 est.)note: other estimates range as low as 600,000
Age structure:0-14 years: 40% (female 342,276; male 368,916)15-64 years: 56% (female 486,258; male 513,560)65 years and over: 4% (female 34,215; male 35,413) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.34% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 39.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 15.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 118.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.03 years male: 51.56 years female: 50.48 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.39 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous ormigrant tribes 15%
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influencedHinduism 25%
Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects;Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Literacy: NA%
Labor force: NAby occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%note: massive lack of skilled labor
@Bhutan:Government
Names:conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutanconventional short form: Bhutan
Digraph: BT
Type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Capital: Thimphu
Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular andplural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi,Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang,Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India)
National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king)
Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights
Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections
Executive branch:Chief of State and Head of Government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK(since 24 July 1972)Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde): nominated by the kingcabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog); appointed by theking
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu); nonational elections
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: no legal parties
Other political or pressure groups: Buddhist clergy; Indian merchantcommunity; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militantantigovernment campaign
Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF,INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: Bhutan has no embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Ugyen TSERING, located at 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; note - the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s): San Francisco; Washington, DC
US diplomatic representation: no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
@Bhutan:Economy
Overview: The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about half of GDP. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is small and technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much of the impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies. Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralized development planning and greater private initiative. The government privatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its trade regime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industrial licensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreased from 13% in 1988 to about 11% in 1993.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $700 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (October 1994)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $52 millionexpenditures: $150 million, including capital expenditures of $95million (FY93/94 est.)note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan'sbudget expenditures
Exports: $66.8 million (f.o.b., FY93/94)commodities: cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit,electricity (to India), precious stones, spicespartners: India 87%, Bangladesh
Imports: $97.6 million (c.i.f., FY93/94 est.) commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice partners: India 79%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
External debt: $141 million (October 1994)
Industrial production: growth rate 7.6% (1992 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP; primarily cottage industry and home based handicrafts
Electricity: capacity: 360,000 kW production: 1.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 143 kWh (1993) note: Bhutan exports electricity to India
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholicbeverages, calcium carbide
Agriculture: rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products,foodgrains, eggs
Economic aid:recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-89), $115 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $11million
Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency isalso legal tender
Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 31.374 (January 1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Bhutan:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,165 km paved: NA unpaved: gravel 1,703 km undifferentiated: 462 km
Ports: none
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
@Bhutan:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; domestic telephone service is verypoor with very few telephones in uselocal: NAintercity: NAinternational: international telephone and telegraph service is byland line through India; an earth station was planned (1990)
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1990)radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 0 (1990)televisions: NA
@Bhutan:Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia, Royal BhutanPolice
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 434,586; males fit for military service 232,121; males reach military age (18) annually 17,365 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
________________________________________________________________________
@Bolivia:Geography
Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 1,098,580 sq kmland area: 1,084,390 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries: total 6,743 km, Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km,Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights
Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano),hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten,antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 52% other: 20%
Irrigated land: 1,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and theinternational demand for tropical timber are contributing todeforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivationmethods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; lossof biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used fordrinking and irrigationnatural hazards: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle toefficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity by thoseunaccustomed to it from birth; flooding in the northeast (March toApril)international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands;signed, but not ratified - Desertification, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, MarineLife Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
Note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highestnavigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
@Bolivia:People
Population: 7,896,254 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 39% (female 1,542,931; male 1,565,624)15-64 years: 57% (female 2,276,308; male 2,188,100)65 years and over: 4% (female 174,419; male 148,872) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.25% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 31.61 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 8.12 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 70.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.85 years male: 61.39 years female: 66.43 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.1 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian
Ethnic divisions: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed European andIndian ancestry) 25%-30%, European 5%-15%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992)total population: 80%male: 88%female: 72%
Labor force: 3.54 million by occupation: agriculture NA, services and utilities 20%, manufacturing, mining and construction 7% (1993)
@Bolivia:Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Boliviaconventional short form: Bolivialocal long form: Republica de Bolivialocal short form: Bolivia
Digraph: BL
Type: republic
Capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary)
Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
Constitution: 2 February 1967
Legal system: based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21years of age, universal and compulsory (single)
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DELOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993); Vice President Victor HugoCARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993); election last held 6 June 1993(next to be held May 1997); results - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (MNR)34%, Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN/MIR alliance) 20%, Carlos PALENQUE Aviles(CONDEPA) 14%, Max FERNANDEZ Rojas (UCS) 13%, Antonio ARANIBAR Quiroga(MBL) 5%; no candidate received a majority of the popular vote;Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA won a congressional runoff election on 4August 1993 after forming a coalition with Max FERNANDEZ and AntonioARANIBAR; FERNANDEZ left the coalition in 1994cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from panel proposed bythe Senate