Economy ———-
Economic overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 1,000 kW production: 2 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NAcommodities: coprapartners: Australia
Imports: $NAcommodities: foodstuffspartners: Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications withAustralia via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Colombia ————
Map —-
Location: 4 00 N, 72 00 W — Northern South America, bordering theCaribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the NorthPacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Geography ————-
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 1,138,910 sq kmland area: 1,038,700 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montananote: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, andSerranilla Bank
Land boundaries:total: 7,408 kmborder countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean1,448 km)
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuelain the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua overArchipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler inhighlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel,gold, copper, emeralds
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 2%meadows and pastures: 29%forest and woodland: 49%other: 16%
Irrigated land: 5,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse ofpesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicleemissionsnatural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasionalearthquakes; periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: only South American country with coastlines onboth North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People ———
Population: 36,813,161 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 5,948,599; female 5,806,450)15-64 years: 64% (male 11,496,931; female 11,890,875)65 years and over: 4% (male 741,788; female 928,518) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.66% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.81 years male: 69.97 years female: 75.73 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 91.3%male: 91.2%female: 91.4%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Colombiaconventional short form: Colombialocal long form: Republica de Colombialocal short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Type of government: republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular- departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital);Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca,Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba,Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta,Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andresy Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes,Vichada
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto SAMPERPizano (since 7 August 1994) elected for a four-year term by popularvote; election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998)results - no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote; arun-off election to select a president from the two leadingcandidates was held 19 June 1994; results - Ernesto SAMPER Pizano(Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres PASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party)48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humberto de la CALLE Lombana elected vicepresident for a four-year term by popular vote in a new procedurethat replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents bynewly elected presidentscabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso)Senate (Senado): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be heldNA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102total) Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF)31, other 12House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections lastheld 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); seats - (161total) Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF)53, AD/M-19 2, other 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJustical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected fromthe nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms;Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges areselected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice foreight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity andsupremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws,amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PL), Luis FernandoJARAMILLO; Conservative Party (PC), Jaime ARIAS; New DemocraticForce (NDF), Andres PASTRANA Arango; Democratic Alliance M-19(AD/M-19) is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissidentliberals and conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legalpolitical party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia(FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Aida ABELLA; NationalSalvation Movement (MSN) Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado
Other political or pressure groups: three insurgent groups areactive in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC);National Liberation Army (ELN); and dissidents of the recentlydemobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL/D)
International organization participation: AG, CCC, CDB, ECLAC,FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuentechancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), andWashington, DCconsulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, No. 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 consulate(s): Barranquilla
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Boasting a diversified and stable economy, Colombia has enjoyed Latin America's most consistent record of growth over the last several decades. Gross domestic product (GDP) has expanded every year for more than 25 years, and unlike many other South American countries, Colombia did not default on any of its official debts during the "lost decade" of the 1980s. Since 1990, when Bogota introduced a comprehensive reform program that opened the economy to foreign trade and investment, GDP growth has averaged more than 4% annually. Growth has been fueled in recent years by the expansion of the construction and financial service industries and an influx of foreign capital. Some foreign investors have been deterred by an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure and the violence stemming from drug trafficking and persistent rural guerrilla warfare, but direct foreign investment, especially in the oil industry, is still rising at a rapid rate. Although oil consequently is overtaking coffee as the main legal export, earnings from illicit drugs probably exceed those from any other export. Non-petroleum economic growth has been slowing, however, in part because the tight monetary policies adopted to offset the inflationary impact of high capital inflows and rising government spending have slowed local sales and investment. Business confidence also has been damaged by a political crisis stemming from allegations that senior government officials, including President SAMPER, solicited contributions from drug traffickers during the 1994 election campaign. The slowdown in the growth of labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing has caused a small rise in unemployment and interfered with President SAMPER'S plans to lower the country's poverty rate, which has remained at about 40% despite the expanding economy. Nevertheless, the booming oil sector, growing foreign investment, and the fundamental stability of the economy promise to keep growth positive for the foreseeable future, barring severe, unpredictable shocks from developments in the political or international arenas.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $192.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 21.5% industry: 29% services: 49.5%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 12 million (1990) by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995)
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $24 billion including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear,beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 10,220,000 kW production: 33 billion kWh consumption per capita: 890 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp farming
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; about 50,900 hectares of coca under cultivation in 1995; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets; active aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca and opium crops by 1997
Exports: $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers partners: US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)
Imports: $13.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products partners: US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992)
External debt: $14 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $30 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 1,011.11 (January 1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994), 863.06 (1993), 759.28 (1992), 633.05 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 3,386 kmstandard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal minesto maritime port at Bahia Portete)narrow gauge: 3,236 km 0.914-m gauge (1830 km in use) (1995)
Highways: total: 107,200 km paved: 12,600 km unpaved: 94,600 km
Waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km;natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, PuertoBolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo
Merchant marine:total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 97,037 GRT/129,404 DWTships by type: bulk 5, cargo 8, container 3, oil tanker 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 989with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 33with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 35with paved runways under 914 m: 557with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 41with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 311 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 413 (licensed), FM 217 (licensed), shortwave 28
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 5.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 10,067,538 males fit for military service: 6,774,105 males reach military age (18) annually: 346,372 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2 billion, 2.8% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Comoros ———-
Map —-
Location: 12 10 S, 44 15 E — Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Flag ——
Description: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 2,170 sq kmland area: 2,170 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than 12 times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 340 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains tolow hillslowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:arable land: 35%permanent crops: 8%meadows and pastures: 7%forest and woodland: 16%other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from cropcultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestationnatural hazards: cyclones and tsunamis possible during rainy season(December to April); Mount Kartala on Grand Comore is an activevolcanointernational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: important location at northern end of MozambiqueChannel
People ———
Population: 569,237 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 137,235; female 136,207)15-64 years: 49% (male 138,447; female 142,058)65 years and over: 3% (male 7,242; female 8,048) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 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: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.7 years male: 56.43 years female: 61.05 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran
Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blendof Swahili and Arabic)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 57.3%male: 64.2%female: 50.4%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comorosconventional short form: Comoroslocal long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comoreslocal short form: Comores
Data code: CN
Type of government: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja),Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,Moroni, and Mutsamudu
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 7 June 1992
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (since 16 March1996) was elected by popular vote; election last held 16 March 1996(next to be held March 2001)head of government: Prime Minister MASSOUNDI Tadjidine Ben Said(since March 1996) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale): elections last held 12-20 December 1993 (next to be held by NA January 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) ruling coalition: RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; opposition: UDZIMA 8; other smaller parties: 10; two seats remained unfilled
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), two members are appointed by the president, two members are elected by the Federal Assembly, one by the Council of each island, plus all the former presidents of the republic
Political parties and leaders: Islands' Fraternity and Unity Party(CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; over 20 political parties are currentlyactive, the most important of which are Comoran Union for Progress(UDZIMA), Omar TAMOU; Comoran Party for Democracy and Progress(PCDP), Ali MROUDJAE; Realizing Freedom's Capability (UWEZO),Mouazair ABDALLAH; Democratic Front of the Comoros (FDR), MoustaphaCHELKH; Dialogue Proposition Action (DPA/MWANGAZA), Said MCHAWGAMA;Rally for Change and Democracy (RACHADE), Hassan HACHIM; Union forDemocracy and Decentralization (UNDC), Mohamed Taki Halidi IBRAHAM;Rally for Democracy and Renewal (RDR); Comoran Popular Front (FPC),Mohamed HASSANALI, Mohamed El Arif OUKACHA, Abdou MOUSTAKIM(Secretary General)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AL,CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Ahamada DJIMBANAOU (ambassadorto the US and Canada)chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federaland Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 336 East45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy inComoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Flag: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
Economy ———-
Economic overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be reached in the late 1990s.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $370 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.9% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 140,000 (1982) by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%
Unemployment rate: 15.8% (1989)
Budget:revenues: $83 millionexpenditures: $92 million, including capital expenditures of $32million (1992)
Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture,jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: -6.5% (1989 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 16,000 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 27 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Exports: $13.7 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra partners: US 44%, France 40%, Germany 6%, Africa 5% (1992)
Imports: $40.9 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement,consumer goodspartners: France 34%, South Africa 14%, Kenya 8%, Japan 4% (1992)
External debt: $160 million (1992 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 375.42 (January1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991)note: beginning 12 January 1994, the Comoran franc was devalued to75 per French franc from 50 per French franc at which it had beenfixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,104 km paved: 400 km unpaved: 704 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 4with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 3,770 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 200 (1991 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Comoran Security Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 121,854 males fit for military service: 72,873 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Congo ——-
Map —-
Location: 1 00 S, 15 00 E — Western Africa, bordering the SouthAtlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Flag ——
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 342,000 sq kmland area: 341,500 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:total: 5,504 kmborder countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central AfricanRepublic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km
Coastline: 169 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: long segment of boundary with Zaire alongthe Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or itsislands has been made)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (Juneto October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularlyenervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northernbasinlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium,copper, phosphates, natural gas
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 29%forest and woodland: 62%other: 7%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; waterpollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable;deforestationnatural hazards: seasonal floodinginternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Ozone LayerProtection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea,Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville,Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them
People ———
Population: 2,527,841 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 550,971; female 545,096)15-64 years: 53% (male 657,035; female 688,441)65 years and over: 4% (male 34,973; female 51,325) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.19% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 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: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.77 years male: 44.21 years female: 47.37 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Congolese (singular and plural)adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic divisions: south: Kongo 48% north: Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12% center: Teke 17%, Europeans 8,500 (mostly French)
Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages: French (official), African languages (Lingala andKikongo are the most widely used)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 74.9%male: 83.1%female: 67.2%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of the Congoconventional short form: Congolocal long form: Republique Populaire du Congolocal short form: Congoformer: Congo/Brazzaville
Data code: CF
Type of government: republic
Capital: Brazzaville
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Pascal LISSOUBA (since August 1992);elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election lastheld NA August 1992 (next to be held NA August 1997); results -President Pascal LISSOUBA won 61% of the votehead of government: Prime Minister Jacques Joachim YHOMBI-OPANGO(since 23 June 1993) appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameralNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): election last held 3October 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (125 total) UPADS 64, URD/PCT 58, others 3Senate: election last held 26 July 1992 (next to be held NA July1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total)UPADS 23, MCDDI 14, RDD 8, RDPS 5, PCT 2, others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: of Congo's many political parties, the most important are Congolese Labor Party (PCT), Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president; Association for Democracy and Development (RDD), Joachim Yhombi OPANGO, president; Association for Democracy and Social Progress (RDPS), Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI), Bernard KOLELAS, leader; Pan-African Union for Social Development (UPADS), Pascal LISSOUBA, leader; Union of Democratic Forces (UFD), David Charles GANAO, leader; Union for Democratic Renewal (URD); Union for Development and Social Progress (UDPS), Jean-Michael BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA, leader
Other political or pressure groups: Union of Congolese SocialistYouth (UJSC); Congolese Trade Union Congress (CSC); RevolutionaryUnion of Congolese Women (URFC); General Union of Congolese Pupilsand Students (UGEEC)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC,UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires DanielMOUELLETchancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone: [1] (202) 726-0825FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador William C. RAMSEYembassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzavillemailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzavilletelephone: [242] 83 20 70FAX: [242] 83 63 38
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Congo's economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing about 90% of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled Congo to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Subsequently, falling oil prices cut GDP growth by half. Moreover, the Congolese Government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to the government's shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994. Recent efforts to implement economic reforms have begun to show progress; the IMF has recommended approval of an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility agreement in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 11.4% industry: 35.2% services: 53.4% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 61% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 79,100 wage earners by occupation: agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government 25%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $2.18 billion (1994 est.)expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering,brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette making
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (estimated average annualgrowth rate for 1980-92)
Electricity: capacity: 120,000 kW production: 400 million kWh consumption per capita: 201 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cassava (tapioca) accounts for 90% of food output, sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: crude oil 90%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee,diamondspartners: Italy, France, Spain, other EU countries, US, Taiwan
Imports: $600 million (c.i.f., 1995)commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital equipment,construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum productspartners: France, Italy, other EU countries, US, Japan, Thailand
External debt: $5 billion (1993)
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:total: 795 km (1995 est.)narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (includes 285 km that areprivately owned)
Highways:total: 12,745 kmpaved: 1,236 kmunpaved: 11,509 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for local traffic only
Pipelines: crude oil 25 km
Ports: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,218 GRT/4,100 DWT(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 34with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 9with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 18,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: services adequate for government use; keyexchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomodomestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay andcoaxial cableinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 582,103 males fit for military service: 296,602 males reach military age (20) annually: 25,247 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 3.8% of GDP (1993)
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@Cook Islands ——————
(free association with New Zealand)
Map —-
Location: 21 14 S, 159 46 W — Oceania, group of islands in theSouth Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to NewZealand
Flag ——
Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 240 sq kmland area: 240 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than one times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands insouthlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 22%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 74%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: typhoons (November to March)international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Law of the Sea
People ———
Population: 19,561 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
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: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Cook Islander(s)adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian andEuropean 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%,other 0.9%
Religions: Christian (majority of populace members of Cook IslandsChristian Church)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands
Data code: CW
Type of government: self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Capital: Avarua
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August
Constitution: 4 August 1965
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by ApeneraSHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (sinceNA 1994), representative of New Zealand was appointed by the NewZealand Governmenthead of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1February 1989)cabinet: Cabinet; collectively responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameralParliament: elections last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held NA1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total)Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party2note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters,but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS; Democratic Alliance Party,Norman GEORGE
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate),ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC,SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in freeassociation with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in freeassociation with New Zealand)
Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries. Despite these plans, the Cook Islands will continue to face severe financial problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1990)
Labor force: 5,810by occupation: agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%,industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: fruit processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 14,000 kW production: 21 million kWh consumption per capita: 741 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, yams, taro
Exports: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothingpartners: NZ 80%, Japan
Imports: $50 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timberpartners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US
External debt: $160 million (1994)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NAnote: in 1994, Cook Islands received $5.4 million in budget supportand $3.3 million in project aid from New Zealand, the country'slargest source of aid
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 187 km paved: 35 km unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.)
Ports: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 7with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 4,180 (1994)
Telephone system:domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination ofsatellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HFradiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by smallexchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, andfiber-optic cableinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 13,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 studio and 8 low-powered repeaters to achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
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@Coral Sea Islands ————————-
(territory of Australia)
Map —-