Location: 18 00 S, 152 00 E — Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea,northeast of Australia
Flag ——
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: less than 3 sq kmland area: less than 3 sq kmcomparative area: NAnote: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a seaarea of about 1 million sq km, with Willis Islets the most important
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,095 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:current issues: no permanent fresh water resourcesnatural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclonesinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: important nesting area for birds and turtles
People ———
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are threemeteorologists
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territoryconventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Data code: CR
Type of government: territory of Australia administered by theMinistry for Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors
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@Costa Rica —————
Map —-
Location: 10 00 N, 84 00 W — Middle America, bordering both theCaribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua andPanama
Flag ——
Description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
Geography ————-
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 51,100 sq kmland area: 50,660 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginianote: includes Isla del Coco
Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season(May to November)
Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential
Land use:arable land: 6%permanent crops: 7%meadows and pastures: 45%forest and woodland: 34%other: 8%
Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation, largely a result of the clearing ofland for cattle ranching; soil erosionnatural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlanticcoast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season;active volcanoesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation
People ———
Population: 3,463,083 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 612,624; female 582,566)15-64 years: 61% (male 1,061,703; female 1,038,403)65 years and over: 4% (male 77,773; female 90,014) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.06% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.84 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.14 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.92 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: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.72 years male: 73.31 years female: 78.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic divisions: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian 1%, Chinese 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 94.8%male: 94.7%female: 95%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Costa Ricaconventional short form: Costa Ricalocal long form: Republica de Costa Ricalocal short form: Costa Rica
Data code: CS
Type of government: democratic republic
Capital: San Jose
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 November 1949
Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Jose Maria FIGUERESOlsen (since 8 May 1994), First Vice President Rodrigo OREAMUNOBlanco (since 8 May 1994), Second Vice President Rebeca GRYNSPANMayufis (since 8 May 1994) were elected for four-year terms byuniversal suffrage; election last held 6 February 1994 (next to beheld NA February 1998); results - President FIGUERES (PLN) 49.7%,Miquel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 47.5%cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): elections last held 6 February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (61 total) PLN 28, PUSC 29, minority parties 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), justices areelected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Party (PLN),Rolando ARAYA; Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael AngelCALDERON Fournier; Marxist Popular Vanguard Party (PVP), HumbertoVARGAS Carbonell; New Republic Movement (MNR), Sergio Erick ARDONRamirez; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC), Lenin CHACON Vargas;Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose ECHEVERRIA Brealey;Democratic Force Party (FD), Isaac Felipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos
Other political or pressure groups: Costa Rican Confederation ofDemocratic Workers (CCTD), Liberation Party affiliate; ConfederatedUnion of Workers (CUT), Communist Party affiliate; AuthenticConfederation of Democratic Workers (CATD), Communist Partyaffiliate; Chamber of Coffee Growers; National Association forEconomic Development (ANFE); Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL),rightwing militants; National Association of Educators (ANDE);Federation of Public Service Workers (FTSP)
International organization participation: AG (observer), BCIE,CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia PICADO chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Durham, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Austin
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Jon DE VOS embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 220-3939 FAX: [506] 220-2305
Flag: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Costa Rica's basically stable and progressive economy depends especially on tourism and the export of bananas, coffee, and other agricultural products. Recent trends have been disappointing. Economic growth slipped from 4.3% in 1994 to 2.5% in 1995, the lowest rate of growth since 1991's 2.1%. Inflation rose dramatically to 22.5% from 13.5% in 1994, well above the government's own projection of 18%. Unemployment rose from 4.0% in 1994 to 5.2% in 1995, and substantial underemployment continues. These economic woes are likely to be exacerbated in 1996 by a standby arrangement reached with the IMF on 29 November 1995. To restore fiscal balance, the government agreed to curb inflation, reduce the fiscal deficit, increase domestic savings, and improve public sector efficiency while increasing the role of the private sector. Costa Rica signed a free trade agreement with Mexico in 1994.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 868,300by occupation: industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1995 est.); much underemployment
Budget:revenues: $1.1 billionexpenditures: $1.34 billion, including capital expenditures of $110million (1991 est.)
Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, constructionmaterials, fertilizer, plastic products
Industrial production growth rate: 10.5% (1992)
Electricity: capacity: 1,040,000 kW production: 4.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,164 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes;beef; timber (depletion of forest resources has resulted indeclining timber output)
Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin fromSouth America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scatteredplots
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: coffee, bananas, textiles, sugarpartners: US, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, El Salvador, Netherlands,UK, France
Imports: $3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment,petroleumpartners: US, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Germany
External debt: $4 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 193.93 (December 1995), 179.73 (1995), 157.07 (1994), 142.17 (1993), 134.51 (1992), 122.43 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 950 kmnarrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified)note: the entire system was scheduled to be shut down on 31 June1995 because of insolvency
Highways: total: 35,560 km paved: 5,608 km unpaved: 29,952 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable
Pipelines: petroleum products 176 km
Ports: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos,Puntarenas
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 145with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 16with paved runways under 914 m: 97with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 29 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 281,042 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: very good domestic telephone servicedomestic: NAinternational: connected to Central American Microwave System;satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 71, FM 0, shortwave 13
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 340,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Civil Guard, Coast Guard, Air Section, Rural AssistanceGuard; note - the Constitution prohibits armed forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 917,566 males fit for military service: 616,420 males reach military age (18) annually: 33,504 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 2.0% of GDP (1995)
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@Cote d'Ivoire ——————-
(also known as Ivory Coast)
Map —-
Location: 8 00 N, 5 00 W — Western Africa, bordering the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Flag ——
Description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,between Ghana and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 322,460 sq kmland area: 318,000 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:total: 3,110 kmborder countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km
Coastline: 515 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; threeseasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March toMay), hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwestlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore,cobalt, bauxite, copper
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 4%meadows and pastures: 9%forest and woodland: 26%other: 52%
Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - oncethe largest in West Africa - have been cleared by the timberindustry); water pollution from sewage and industrial andagricultural effluentsnatural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; duringthe rainy season torrential flooding is possibleinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People ———
Population: 14,762,445 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 3,552,270; female 3,462,462)15-64 years: 50% (male 3,828,538; female 3,599,920)65 years and over: 2% (male 164,358; female 154,897) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.92% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.48 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.) note: since 1989, over 350,000 refugees have fled to Cote d'Ivoire to escape the civil war in Liberia
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 82.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.73 years male: 46.23 years female: 47.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian
Ethnic divisions: Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%,Agni, foreign Africans (mostly Burkinabe and Malians, about 3million), non-Africans 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 andLebanese 100,000 to 300,000)
Religions: indigenous 25%, Muslim 60%, Christian 12%
Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula themost widely spoken
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 40.1%male: 49.9%female: 30%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoireconventional short form: Cote d'Ivoirelocal long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoirelocal short form: Cote d'Ivoireformer: Ivory Coast
Data code: IV
Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regimeestablished 1960
Capital: Yamoussoukronote: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjanremains the administrative center; foreign governments, includingthe US, maintain official presences in Abidjan
Administrative divisions: 50 departments (departements, singular -departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville,Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou,Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro,Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro,Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra,Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua,Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula
Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 7 August
Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time November 1990
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Henri Konan BEDIE (since 7 December 1993)served the remainder of the term of former President FelixHOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, who died in office after continuous service fromNovember 1960; President BEDIE was elected with 96% of the vote atthe last election on 22 October 1995 (next election October 2000);the president is elected for a five-year term by popular votehead of government: Prime Minister Daniel Kablan DUNCAN (since 10December 1993), appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers, appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 27November 1995 (next to be held November 2000); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 147, RDR 14, FPI 10,unfilled 4; note - of the unfilled seats, elections for 3 werepostponed because of violence in the electoral districts and 1 seatremains contested
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Coted'Ivoire (PDCI), Henri Konan BEDIE; Rally of the Republicans (RDR),Djeny KOBINA; Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; IvorianWorker's Party (PIT), Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI),Morifere BAMBA; over 20 smaller parties
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WADB, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Moise KOUMOUE-KOFFI chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Lannon WALKER embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan telephone: [225] 21 09 79 FAX: [225] 22 32 59
Flag: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for coffee and cocoa and to weather conditions. Despite attempts by the government to diversify, the economy is still largely dependent on agriculture and related industries. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. The 50% devaluation of Franc Zone currencies on 12 January 1994 caused a one-time jump in the inflation rate to 32% for 1994, but this rate fell to perhaps 10% in 1995, in part as the economy adjusted to the devaluation. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a budget surplus in 1994. Real growth of GDP in 1994 was 1.7%, a significant improvement following several years of negative growth. In 1995 growth picked up to 5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 37% industry: 24% services: 39% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 5.718 millionby occupation: over 85% of population engaged in agriculture,forestry, livestock raising; about 11% of labor force are wageearners, nearly half in agriculture and the remainder in government,industry, commerce, and professions
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $1.9 billionexpenditures: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $408million (1993)
Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, construction materials, electricity
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 1,170,000 kW production: 1.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc, sweet potatoes, sugar; cotton, rubber; timber
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; mostly for localconsumption; some international drug trade; transshipment point forSouthwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally tothe US
Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: cocoa 55%, coffee 12%, tropical woods 11%, petroleum,cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fishpartners: France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Burkina Faso, US, UK
Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: food, capital goods, consumer goods, fuel partners: France, Nigeria, Japan, Netherlands, US, Italy
External debt: $19 billion (1993)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $552 million (1993)
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: 660 km (1995 est.) narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track
Highways: total: 46,331 km paved: 3,579 km unpaved: 42,752 km (1984 est.)
Waterways: 980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons
Ports: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro
Merchant marine:total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,726 GRT/34,711 DWTships by type: container 2, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 35with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4with paved runways under 914 m: 10with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 87,700 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: well-developed by African standards but operating well below capacity domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 71, FM 0, shortwave 13
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 810,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie,Presidential Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 3,386,638 males fit for military service: 1,762,412 males reach military age (18) annually: 157,712 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million, 1.4% of GDP (1993)
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@Croatia ———-
Map —-
Location: 45 10 N, 15 30 E — Southeastern Europe, bordering theAdriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Flag ——
Description: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatiancoat of arms (red and white checkered)
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenBosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 56,538 sq kmland area: 56,410 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:total: 2,073 kmborder countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,Serbia and Montenegro 266 km (241 km with Serbia; 25 km withMontenego), Slovenia 546 km
Coastline: 5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic Serbs during the war, is currently being overseen by the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia; reintegration of Eastern Slavonia into Croatia will occur in 1997; although Croatia does not recognize the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," both countries have agreed to open consular sections in each other's capitals; Croatia and Italy have not resolved a bilateral issue dating from WWII over property and ethnic minority rights; a border dispute with Slovenia is unresolved
Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarianborder, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline,and islandslowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Dinara 1,830 m
Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore,calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt
Land use:arable land: 32%permanent crops: 20%meadows and pastures: 18%forest and woodland: 15%other: 15%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants) andresulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution fromindustrial and domestic waste; widespread casualties and destructionof infrastructure in border areas affected by civil strifenatural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakesinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, HazardousWastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls most land routes from Western Europe toAegean Sea and Turkish Straits
People ———
Population: 5,004,112 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 453,142; female 431,118)15-64 years: 69% (male 1,731,200; female 1,716,824)65 years and over: 13% (male 252,897; female 418,931) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.58% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.81 years male: 69.13 years female: 76.72 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Croat(s) adjective: Croatian
Ethnic divisions: Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, others 8.1% (1991)
Religions: Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%,Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8%
Languages: Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian,Hungarian, Czechoslovak, and German)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)total population: 97%male: 99%female: 95%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Croatiaconventional short form: Croatialocal long form: Republika Hrvatskalocal short form: Hrvatska
Data code: HR
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Zagreb
Administrative divisions: 21 counties (zupanijas, zupanija -singular): Bjelovar-Bilogora, City of Zagreb, Dubrovnik-Neretva,Istra, Karlovac, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Lika-Senj,Medimurje, Osijek-Baranja, Pozega-Slavonija, Primorje-Gorski Kotar,Sibenik, Sisak-Moslavina, Slavonski Brod-Posavina, Split-Dalmatia,Varazdin, Virovitica-Podravina, Vukovar-Srijem, Zadar-Knin, Zagreb
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)
Constitution: adopted on 22 December 1990
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Franjo TUDJMAN (since 30 May 1990) waselected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election lastheld 4 August 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - FranjoTUDJMAN reelected with about 56% of the vote; his opponent DobroslavPARAGA received 5% of the votehead of government: Prime Minister Zlatko MATESA (since NA November1995) and Deputy Prime Ministers Mate GRANIC (since 8 September1992), Ivica KOSTOVIC (since 14 October 1993), Jure RADIC (since NAOctober 1994), Borislav SKEGRO (since 3 April 1993), and LjerkaMINTAS-HODAS (since November 1995) were appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral parliament Assembly (Sabor)House of Districts (Zupanije Dom): elections last held 7 and 21February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1997); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (68 total; 63 elected, 5 presidentiallyappointed) HDZ 37, HSLS 16, HSS 5, Istrian Democratic Assembly 3,SPH-SDP 1, HNS 1House of Representatives (Zastupnicki Dom): elections last held 29October 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - HDZ 45.23%,HSS/IDS/HNS/HKDU/SBHS 18.26%, HSLS 11.55%, SDP 8.93%, HSP 5.01%;seats - (127 total) HDZ 75, HSLS 12, HSS 10, SDP 10, IDS 4, HSP 4,HNS 2, SNS 2, HND 1, ASH 1, HKDU 1, SBHS 1, independents 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed for eight-yearterms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected bythe Chamber of Representatives; Constitutional Court, judgesappointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of theRepublic, which is elected by the Chamber of Representatives
Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),Franjo TUDJMAN, president; Croatian Democratic Independents (HND),Stjepan MESIC, president; Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS),Vlado GOTOVAC, president; Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP),Ivica RACAN; Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Ante DAPIC; CroatianPeasants' Party (HSS), Josip PANKRETIC; Croatian People's Party(HNS), Radimir CACIC, president; Serbian National Party (SNS), MilanDJUKIC; Action of the Social Democrats of Croatia (ASH), MikoTRIPALO; Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU), Marko VASELICA,president; Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Ivan JACKOVIC;Slanvonsko-Baranja Croatian Party (SBHS)
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: CCC, CE (guest), CEI,EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM(observer), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Miomir ZUZULchancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. GALBRAITHembassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagrebmailing address: US Embassy, Zagreb, Unit 1345, APO AE 09213-1345telephone: [385] (41) 455-55-00FAX: [385] (41) 455-85-85
Flag: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat ofarms (red and white checkered)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. Croatia faces considerable economic problems stemming from: the legacy of longtime communist mismanagement of the economy; large foreign debt; damage during the internecine fighting to bridges, factories, power lines, buildings, and houses; the large refugee population, both Croatian and Bosnian; and the disruption of economic ties to Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics, as well as within its own territory. Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would help restore the economy. The government has been successful in some reform efforts including stabilization policies and has normalized relations with creditors. Yet it still is struggling with privatization of large state enterprises and with bank reform. The draft 1996 budget, which had raised concerns about inflation, capitalizes on the "peace dividend" to boost expenditures on the repair and upgrading of infrastructure.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 12.7% industry: 30.6% services: 56.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1995)
Labor force: 1.444 million (1995) by occupation: industry and mining 31.1%, agriculture 4.3%, government 19.1% (including education and health), other 45.5% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 18.1% (January 1996)
Budget:revenues: $3.86 billionexpenditures: $3.72 billion, including capital expenditures of $320million (1994 est.)
Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricatedmetal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum,paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles,shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 3,630,000 kW production: 11.234 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,000 kWh (1993 est.)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, vegetables; livestock breeding, dairy farming
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin to WesternEurope
Exports: $4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: machinery and transport equipment 13.6%, miscellaneousmanufactures 27.6%, chemicals 14.2%, food and live animals 12.2%,raw materials 6.1%, fuels and lubricants 9.4%, beverages and tobacco2.7% (1993)partners: Germany 22.9%, Italy 21.2%, Slovenia 18.3% (1993)
Imports: $5.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: machinery and transport equipment 23.1%, fuels andlubricants 8.8%, food and live animals 9.0%, chemicals 14.2%,miscellaneous manufactured articles 16.0%, raw materials 3.5%,beverages and tobacco 1.4% (1993)partners: Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Iran
External debt: $3.15 billion (September 1995)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NAnote: IMF has given Croatia $192 million; World Bank has givenCroatia $100 million
Currency: 1 Croatian kuna (HRK) = 100 paras
Exchange rates: Croatian kuna per US$1 - 5.405 (January 1996), 5.230 (1995), 5.996 (1994), 3.577 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 2,699 kmstandard gauge: 2,699 km 1.435-m gauge (1213 km electrified)note: disrupted by territorial dispute with Serbia (1994)
Highways:total: 27,378 kmpaved: 22,176 km (including 302 km of expressways)unpaved: 5,202 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 785 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas310 km (1992); note - under repair following territorial dispute
Ports: Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split,Zadar
Merchant marine:total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 203,495 GRT/252,818 DWTships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oiltanker 1, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo2, short-sea passenger 4note: Croatia owns an additional 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling 3,368,035 DWT operating under the registries of Malta,Liberia, Cyprus, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and SaintVincent and the Grenadines (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 68with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 47with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1.216 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: no satellite earth stations
Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 8, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.1 million
Television broadcast stations: 12 (repeaters 2)
Televisions: 1.52 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces,Frontier Guard, Home Guard
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 1,314,718males fit for military service: 1,046,490males reach military age (19) annually: 34,914 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 337 billion to 393 billion dinars, NA% ofGDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into USdollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleadingresults
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@Cuba ——
Map —-
Location: 21 30 N, 80 00 W — Caribbean, island between theCaribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Flag ——
Description: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 110,860 sq kmland area: 110,860 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:total: 29 kmborder country: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 kmnote: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remainspart of Cuba
Coastline: 3,735 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leasedto US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area canterminate the lease
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (Novemberto April); rainy season (May to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m
Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese,salt, timber, silica, petroleum
Land use:arable land: 23%permanent crops: 6%meadows and pastures: 23%forest and woodland: 17%other: 31%
Irrigated land: 8,960 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatenswildlife populations; deforestationnatural hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes from Augustto October (in general, the country averages about one hurricaneevery other year); droughts are commoninternational agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Marine LifeConservation
Geographic note: largest country in Caribbean
People ———
Population: 10,951,334 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 1,256,674; female 1,191,652)15-64 years: 68% (male 3,753,343; female 3,736,043)65 years and over: 10% (male 478,630; female 534,992) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.44% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.05 years male: 72.71 years female: 77.54 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban
Ethnic divisions: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 95.7%male: 96.2%female: 95.3%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba local short form: Cuba
Data code: CU
Type of government: Communist state
Capital: Havana
Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial);Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma,Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas,Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, VillaClara
Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898;administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)
National holiday: Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953); Liberation Day, 1January (1959)
Constitution: 24 February 1976
Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President of the Council ofState and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz(prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 whenoffice was abolished; president since 2 December 1976) and FirstVice President of the Council of State and First Vice President ofthe Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December1976) were elected by the National Assemblycabinet: Council of Ministers were proposed by the president of theCouncil of State, appointed by the National AssemblyCouncil of State: members elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power (Asemblea Nacional del P: elections last held NA February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); seats - 589 total, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (Tribunal SupremoPopular), president, vice president, and other judges are elected bythe National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party(PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary
International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77,IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - Cuba has anInterests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal OfficerFernando REMIREZ DE ESTENOZ; address: Cuban Interests Section, SwissEmbassy, 2639 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1](202) 797-8518 through 8520
US diplomatic representation: none; note - the US does have an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Joseph G. SULLIVAN; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L Y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana; telephone: 33-3551 through 3559, 33-3543 through 3547 (operator assistance required); FAX: 33-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland
Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The state retains a primary role in the economy and controls practically all foreign trade. The government has undertaken several reforms in recent years designed to stem excess liquidity, raise labor incentives, and increase the availability of food, consumer goods, and services from depressed levels. The liberalized agricultural markets introduced in October 1994, where state and private farms are authorized to sell any above-quota production at unrestricted prices, have broadened legal consumption alternatives and reduced black market prices. The government's efforts to reduce subsidies to loss-making enterprises and shrink the money supply caused the black market exchange rate to move from a peak of 120 pesos to the dollar in the summer of 1994 to 25-30 pesos to the dollar at yearend 1995. The number of self-employed workers licensed by the government increased more slowly in 1995, from 160,000 at yearend 1994 to 190,000 in July 1995 and to about 210,000 in January 1996. Discussions continue within the leadership over the relative affluence of self-employed workers and the growing inequality of income in what has historically been a strictly egalitarian society. The government released new economic data in 1995 which showed a 35% decline in GDP during 1989-1993, a drop precipitated by the withdrawal of massive Soviet aid and prolonged by Cuba's own economic inefficiencies. The decline in GDP apparently was halted in 1994, and government officials claim that GDP increased by 2.5% in 1995. Export earnings rose by 20% in 1995 to $1.6 billion, largely on the strength of higher world prices for key commodities and increased production of nickel through joint ventures with a Canadian firm. Higher export revenues and new credits from European firms and Mexico enabled Havana to increase its imports for the first time in six years. Imports rose 21% to almost $2.4 billion, or 30% of the 1989 level. Officials have sharply criticized provisions of legislation under consideration in the US Congress, which aims to curtail third-country investment in expropriated US properties in Cuba and deny official assistance to Havana.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 30% services: 63% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 4.71 million economically active population (1989); 3,527,000 employed in state civilian sector (1989) by occupation: services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June 1990)