Geographic note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; nearly 90% of the population is concentrated within 161 km of the US/Canada border
People ———
Population: 28,820,671 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21% (male 3,032,458; female 2,889,603)15-64 years: 67% (male 9,663,955; female 9,660,648)65 years and over: 12% (male 1,501,542; female 2,072,465) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 1.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.07 years male: 75.67 years female: 82.65 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Canadian(s)adjective: Canadian
Ethnic divisions: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%,other European 20%, indigenous Indian and Eskimo 1.5%, other, mostlyAsian 11.5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 45%, United Church 12%, Anglican 8%,other 35% (1991)
Languages: English (official), French (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986 est.)total population: 97%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada
Data code: CA
Type of government: confederation with parliamentary democracy
Capital: Ottawa
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*;Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland,Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK)
National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution: amended British North America Act 1867 patriated toCanada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs
Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, wherecivil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), ahereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC(since 8 February 1995), who was appointed by the queenhead of government: Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November1993) was appointed by the governor general; on 25 October 1993;Deputy Prime Minister Sheila COPPS (since NA); note - the primeminister is the leader of the political party commanding a majorityin the House of Commonscabinet: Federal Ministry was chosen by the prime minister frommembers of his own party sitting in Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) Senate (Senat): consisting of a body whose members are appointed to serve until 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators House of Commons (Chambre des Communes): elections last held 25 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - percent of votes by party NA; seats - (295 total) Liberal Party 179, Bloc Quebecois 53, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 8, Progressive Conservative Party 2, independents 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party, Jean CHRETIEN; BlocQuebecois, Michel GAUTHIER; Reform Party, Preston MANNING; NewDemocratic Party, Alexa MCDONOUGH; Progressive Conservative Party,Jean CHAREST
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG(observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB(non-regional), EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD,OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond A. J. CHRETIENchancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas,Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattleconsulate(s): Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia,Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and SanJuan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
Flag: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada started the 1990s in recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1% so far this decade. Because of slower growth, Canada still faces high unemployment and a large public sector debt. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, however, Canada will enjoy better economic prospects in the future. The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the confederation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $694 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $24,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 26% services: 72% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 13.38 million by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%, construction 3%, other 4% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995)
Budget:revenues: $90.4 billionexpenditures: $114.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 5.9% (1994)
Electricity: capacity: 108,090,000 kW production: 511 billion kWh consumption per capita: 16,133 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market
Exports: $185 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum,machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts;telecommunications equipmentpartners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
Imports: $166.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)commodities: crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durableconsumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipmentand partspartners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
External debt: $233 billion (1994)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $2.373 billion (1993) note: ODA and OOF commitments, $10.1 billion (1986-91)
Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.3666 (January 1996), 1.3724 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 70,176 km; note - there are two major transcontinentalfreight railway systems: Canadian National (privatized November1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided bygovernment-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its ownstandard gauge: 70,000 km 1.435-m gauge (63 km electrified)narrow gauge: 176 km 0.914-m gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 849,404 kmpaved: 297,291 km (including 15,983 km of expressways)unpaved: 552,113 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway
Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Ports: Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Montreal, NewWestminister, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick),Saint John's (Newfoundland), Seven Islands, Sydney, Three Rivers,Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Merchant marine:total: 62 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 573,089 GRT/804,436 DWTships by type: bulk 17, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 15,passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-offcargo 7, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 1,138with paved runways over 3 047 m: 17with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 136with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 226with paved runways under 914 m: 422with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 53with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 269 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 15.3 million (1990)
Telephone system: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 900, FM 29, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 70 (repeaters 1,400) (1991)
Televisions: 11.53 million (1983 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Command orLC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, CommunicationsCommand or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian MountedPolice (RCMP)
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 7,645,245males fit for military service: 6,575,057males reach military age (17) annually: 197,688 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.0 billion,1.6% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Cape Verde —————
Map —-
Location: 16 00 N, 24 00 W — Western Africa, group of Islands inthe North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North AtlanticOcean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: World
Area:total area: 4,030 sq kmland area: 4,030 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone,kaolin, fish
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 6%forest and woodland: 0%other: 85%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use suchas the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion;demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;desertification; environmental damage has threatened severalindigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishingnatural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscurevisibility; volcanically and seismically activeinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: strategic location 500 km from west coast ofAfrica near major north-south sea routes; important communicationsstation; important sea and air refueling site
People ———
Population: 449,066 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 50% (male 114,206; female 110,276)15-64 years: 46% (male 90,593; female 117,485)65 years and over: 4% (male 6,450; female 10,056) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 54.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.39 years male: 61.47 years female: 65.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and WestAfrican words
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 71.6%male: 81.4%female: 63.8%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verdeconventional short form: Cape Verdelocal long form: Republica de Cabo Verdelocal short form: Cabo Verde
Data code: CV
Type of government: republic
Capital: Praia
Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular -concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo,Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, SaoVicente, Tarrafal
Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22March 1991) elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February2001); results - Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (independent) received80.1% of votehead of government: Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de CarvalhoVEIGA (since 13 January 1991) nominated by the People'sNationalAssembly and appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by prime minister frommembers of the Peoples National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameralPeople's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular): electionslast held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA); results - MPD 59%,PAICV 28%, PCD 6%; seats - (72 total) MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal deJustia)
Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy (MPD), PrimeMinister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman; African Party forIndependence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES,chairman; Party for Democratic Convergence (PCD)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM,OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Alberto Santos SILVA-CARLOSchancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207consulate(s) general: Boston
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. SEGARSembassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praiamailing address: C. P. 201, Praiatelephone: [238] 61 56 16FAX: [238] 61 13 55
Flag: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for 60% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GNP is only 13%, of which fishing accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign aid, which form important supplements to GDP. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1996 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $440 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,040 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 17% services: 70% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.) by occupation: agriculture (mostly subsistence) 57%, services 29%, industry 14% (1981)
Unemployment rate: 35% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $174 millionexpenditures: $235 million, including capital expenditures of $165million (1993 est.)
Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garments, ship repair,food and beverages
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 15,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point forillicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined forWestern Europe
Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities: fish, bananaspartners: Netherlands, Portugal, Angola, Spain
Imports: $173 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products,transport equipmentpartners: Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France,Cote d'Ivoire
External debt: $156 million (1991)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 77.860 (December 1995), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018 (1992), 71.408 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,100 km paved: 680 km unpaved: 420 km (1992 est.)
Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1995 est.)total: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,632 GRT/8,872 DWT
Airports:total: 6with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1,740 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: interisland microwave radio relay systeminternational: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone toSenegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Armyand Navy), Security Service
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 84,003 males fit for military service: 48,885 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Cayman Islands ———————
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 19 30 N, 80 30 W — Caribbean, island group in CaribbeanSea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Flag ——
Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearlyone-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 260 sq kmland area: 260 sq kmcomparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 8%forest and woodland: 23%other: 69%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking watersupplies must be met by rainwater catchmentnatural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location between Cuba and CentralAmerica
People ———
Population: 34,646 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.52 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic divisions: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)total population: 98%male: 98%female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland,South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system: British common law and local statutes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6February 1952) is a hereditary monarchhead of government: Governor and President of the Executive CouncilJohn OWEN (since 15 September 1995)cabinet: Executive Council - three members are appointed by thegovernor, four members are elected by the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: election last held 18 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) independents 12
Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Economy ———-
Economic overview: With no direct taxation, the Islands are a thriving offshore financial center. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded one million visitors in 1995 for the first time. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $750 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $22,500 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8,061by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers5.9% (1979)
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)
Budget:revenues: $141.5 millionexpenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1991)
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction,construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 80,000 kW production: 230 million kWh consumption per capita: 6,899 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Illicit drugs: a major money-laundering center for illicit drugprofits; transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US andEurope
Exports: $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goodspartners: mostly US
Imports: $312 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goodspartners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
External debt: $15 million (1986)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (18November 1993), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 406 km paved: 304 km unpaved: 102 km
Ports: Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 283,734 GRT/432,610 DWTships by type: bulk 3, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oiltanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 1 ship, India 1,Norway 1, US 3, Sweden 1, and UAE 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 3with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 21,584 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station -1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,200 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Central African Republic ————————————
Map —-
Location: 7 00 N, 21 00 E — Central Africa, north of Zaire
Flag ——
Description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Geography ————-
Location: Central Africa, north of Zaire
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 622,980 sq kmland area: 622,980 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,203 kmborder countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km,Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mount Gaou 1,420 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 5%forest and woodland: 64%other: 28%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminishedreputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertificationnatural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northernareas; floods are commoninternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
People ———
Population: 3,274,426 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 724,914; female 718,423)15-64 years: 52% (male 839,118; female 877,069)65 years and over: 4% (male 53,418; female 61,484) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 111.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.86 years male: 45.03 years female: 46.71 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African
Ethnic divisions: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%,Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and nationallanguage), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 60%male: 68.5%female: 52.4%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Central African Republicconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republique Centrafricainelocal short form: noneformer: Central African Empireabbreviation: CAR
Data code: CT
Type of government: republic;
Capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation ofthe republic)
Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7January 1995
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election lastheld 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - PATASSEreceived 52.45% of the votes and Abel GOUMBA received 45.62%head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE (since 6 June1996); appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 19September 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3,others 22note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and RegionalCouncil (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit togetherthey are called the Congress (Congres)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), judges appointed bythe president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by thepresident
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress(ADP), Tchapka BREDE; Central African Democratic Assembly (RDC),Andre KOLINGBA; Civic Forum (FC), Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA; LiberalDemocratic Party (PLD), Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON; Movement for theLiberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the party of thepresident, Ange Felix PATASSE; Movement for Democracy andDevelopment (MDD), David DACKO; Marginal Movement for Democracy,Renaissance and Evolution (MDREC), Joseph BENDOUNGA; Patriotic Frontfor Progress (FFP), Abel GOUMBA; Social Democratic Party (PSD),Enoch Derant LAKOUE
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800, 7801 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Mosina H. JORDAN embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10 FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Flag: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 13% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly 80%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. A major plus is the large forest reserves, which the government is moving to protect from overexploitation. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. While diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased - leading GDP to increase by 5.5% - inflation rose to 45%, fueled by the rising prices of imports on which the economy depends; inflation dropped back rapidly in 1995. The CAR's poor resource base and primitive infrastructure will keep it dependent on multilateral donors and France for the foreseeable future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 14% services: 36% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.)by occupation: agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry3%, government 3%note: about 64,000 salaried workers (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 100 million kWh consumption per capita: 29 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Exports: $154 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco partners: France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US, Spain, Iran
Imports: $215 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products partners: France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria, Cameroon, Namibia
External debt: $904.3 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991)note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 23,738 km paved: 427 km unpaved: 23,311 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Ports: Bangui, Nola
Airports:total: 48with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 11with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 16,867 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), AirForce, National Gendarmerie, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 737,330 males fit for military service: 384,134 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2.3% of GDP (1994)
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@Chad ——
Map —-
Location: 15 00 N, 19 00 E — Central Africa, south of Libya
Flag ——
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Geography ————-
Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1.284 million sq kmland area: 1,259,200 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than three times the size ofCalifornia
Land boundaries:total: 5,968 kmborder countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains part of the airfield and a small military presence at the airfield's water supply located in Chad; demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
Climate: tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south lowest point: Djourab Depression 175 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration underway), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 36%forest and woodland: 11%other: 51%
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper wastedisposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;desertificationnatural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north;periodic droughts; locust plaguesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping
Geographic note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significantwater body in the Sahel
People ———
Population: 6,976,845 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 1,543,688; female 1,535,729)15-64 years: 53% (male 1,807,361; female 1,881,930)65 years and over: 3% (male 91,998; female 116,139) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.25 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.44 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 120.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.55 years male: 45.18 years female: 50.01 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian
Ethnic divisions: nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French north and center: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba) south: non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa)
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostlyanimism) 25%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango(in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French or Arabic(1995 est.)total population: 48.1%male: 62.1%female: 34.7%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad local short form: Tchad
Data code: CD
Type of government: republic
Capital: N'Djamena
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi,Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi,Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile
Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
Constitution: 31 March 1995, passed by referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December1990, after seizing power on 3 December 1990); note - transitionalgovernment's mandate was scheduled to expire in May 1996; the firstround of presidential elections was scheduled for 2 June 1996, witha runoff on 23 June if necessaryhead of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April1995) elected by the Sovereign National Conferencecabinet: Council of State appointed by the president onrecommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralHigher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition:popular elections to the former National Consultative Council(Conceil National Consultatif) were last held 8 July 1990; this bodywas disbanded on 3 December 1990 by President DEBY and on 8 March1991 replaced with the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30members whom he appointed; this body, in turn, was replaced on 6April 1993 by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (ConseilSuperieur de Transition) elected by a specially convened SovereignNational Conference; popular elections, formerly scheduled for April1995, were initially postponed by mutual agreement of the partiesconcerned until at least May 1996 and subsequently postponed untilafter the rainy season (as late as October 1996); note - the name ofthe anticipated new legislative body has not been announced
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), former dissident group, Idriss DEBY, chairman note: President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new constitution, and free elections by April 1994, subsequently twice postponed these initiatives; there are numerous dissident groups and at least 45 opposition political parties
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC,UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Saleh AHMAT chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence E. POPE II embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09, (51) 90-52, (51) 92-33 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54