Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 46.2%male: 60.3%female: 32.7%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Djibouticonventional short form: Djiboutiformer: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland
Data code: DJ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Djibouti
Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4September 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditionalpractices, and Islamic law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:chief of state: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June1977); election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999);results - President HASSAN GOULED reelected to a six-year term byuniversal suffragehead of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30September 1978)cabinet: Council of Ministers is responsible to the president
Legislative branch: unicameralChamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes): elections last held 18December 1992; results - RPP (the ruling party) dominated; seats -(65 total) RPP 65
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: ruling party: People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon other parties: Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration ofUnity and Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity andDemocracy (MUD)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD,AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye Oudinechancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin L. CHESHES embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance (an important supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last six years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees).
GDP: purchasing power parity - $500 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -3% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 21% services: 76% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 282,000by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry 11%, services 14% (1991est.)
Unemployment rate: over 30% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $164 millionexpenditures: $201 million, including capital expenditures of $16million (1993 est.)
Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such asdairy products and mineral-water bottling
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 170 million kWh consumption per capita: 398 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels
Exports: $184 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) partners: Somalia 48%, Yemen 42%
Imports: $384 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals,petroleum productspartners: France, UK, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Korea
External debt: $227 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 97 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad)narrow gauge: 97 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 2,879 km paved: 363 km unpaved: 2,516 km (1991 est.)
Ports: Djibouti
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 11with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 2with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 7,200 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti areadequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlyingareas of the countrydomestic: microwave radio relay networkinternational: submarine cable to Saudi Arabia; satellite earthstations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 17,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force),National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), NationalPolice Force
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 102,528males fit for military service: 60,076 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA%of GDP (1989)
======================================================================
@Dominica ————
Map —-
Location: 13 30 N, 61 20 W — Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Flag ——
Description: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico toTrinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 N, 61 20 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 750 sq kmland area: 750 sq kmcomparative area: more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 148 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
Natural resources: timber
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 13%meadows and pastures: 3%forest and woodland: 41%other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructivehurricanes can be expected during the late summer monthsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Whaling
People ———
Population: 82,926 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 28% (male 11,986; female 11,521)15-64 years: 64% (male 27,206; female 25,841)65 years and over: 8% (male 2,608; female 3,764) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.38% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.4 years male: 74.55 years female: 80.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican
Ethnic divisions: black, Carib Indians
Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%, other 5%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)total population: 94%male: 94%female: 94%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominicaconventional short form: Dominica
Data code: DO
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Roseau
Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David,Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark,Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution: 3 November 1978
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October1993) was elected for a five-year term by the House of Assembly;election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998);results - percent of vote NAhead of government: Prime Minister Edison C. JAMES (since 12 June1995); prime minister is appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on the advice of theprime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 12 June 1995 (next to be held by October 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) UWP 11, DLP 5, DFP 5
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (located in SantaLucia), one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and presideover the Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), BrianALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United WorkersParty (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement(DLM), a small leftist group
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom,CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Dominica does not have an embassyin the USconsulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy inDominica; the Ambassador to Dominica resides in Bridgetown(Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
Flag: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for 26% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in September 1995; tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as well. The newly elected government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's production base.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $200 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,450 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: NA% services: NA% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (1995)
Labor force: 25,000by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services28% (1984)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $80 millionexpenditures: $95.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cementblocks, shoes
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 7,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 347 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts;forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the USand Europe; minor cannabis producer
Exports: $48.3 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, orangespartners: UK 55%, Caricom countries, Italy, US
Imports: $98.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food,chemicalspartners: US 25%, Caricom, UK, Japan, Canada
External debt: $92.8 million (1992)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 800 km paved: 500 km unpaved: 300 km
Ports: Portsmouth, Roseau
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 14,613 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: fully automatic networkinternational: microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links toMartinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to SaintLucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 45,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 5,200 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes SpecialService Unit, Coast Guard)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Dominican Republic —————————
Map —-
Location: 19 00 N, 70 40 W — Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Flag ——
Description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 48,730 sq kmland area: 48,380 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total: 275 km border country: Haiti 275 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 6 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation;seasonal variation in rainfall
Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleysinterspersedlowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 mhighest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m
Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:arable land: 23%permanent crops: 7%meadows and pastures: 43%forest and woodland: 13%other: 14%
Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damagescoral reefs; deforestationnatural hazards: occasional hurricanes (July to October)international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Law of the Sea
Geographic note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (easterntwo-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)
People ———
Population: 8,088,881 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 34% (male 1,401,322; female 1,355,530)15-64 years: 62% (male 2,541,356; female 2,460,509)65 years and over: 4% (male 156,238; female 173,926) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.73% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.06 years male: 66.89 years female: 71.34 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican
Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 82.1%male: 82%female: 82.2%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Dominican Republicconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republica Dominicanalocal short form: none
Data code: DR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona,Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo,Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, LaVega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, MontePlata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, SanchezRamirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago,Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: 28 November 1966
Legal system: based on French civil codes
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Joaquin BALAGUERRicardo (since 16 August 1986, sixth elected term began 16 August1994); Vice President Jacinto PEYNADO Garrigoza (since 16 August1994); president is elected for a four-year term by direct vote;election last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held 16 May 1996);results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 42.6%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD)13.2%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 41.9%, Jacobo MAJLUTA (PRI)2.3%cabinet: Cabinet was nominated by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)Senate (Senado): elections last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NAMay 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total)PRSC 15, PLD 1, PRD 14Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 16May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are electedby the Senate
Political parties and leaders:major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), JoaquinBALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Lidio CADET;Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez;Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTAminor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), JuanRene BEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic(PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD),Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), MarinoVINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADOBogaert; Dominican Communist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde;Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-ImperialistPatriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance forDemocracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, NelsidaMARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA; Democratic Union (UD), Fernando ALVAREZBogaertnote: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined toform the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retainindividual party structures
Other political or pressure groups: Collective of PopularOrganizations (COP)
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer),ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donna Jean HRINAK embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171, 221-8100 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437
Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Economic reforms launched in late 1994 contributed to exchange rate stabilization, reduced inflation, and relatively strong GDP growth in 1995. Output growth was concentrated in the tourism and free trade zone (ftz) sectors while sugar and non-ftz manufacturing declined last year. Drought in early 1995 hurt agricultural production but favorable world prices for export commodities helped mitigate the impact. Sugar refining was devastated by a disastrous harvest resulting from the drought and ongoing problems at the state-owned sugar company. Unreliable electric supplies continue to hamper expansion in manufacturing; small and medium-sized retail firms also suffer due to the dismal power situation. A presidential election scheduled for May 1996 could lead to increased government spending before and in the immediate aftermath of the vote, raising the potential for rising inflation and increased pressure on the Dominican peso.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $26.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 32% services: 55% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1995)
Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million by occupation: agriculture 50%, services and government 32%, industry 18% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.8 billionexpenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and goldmining, textiles, cement, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 1,450,000 kW production: 5.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 651 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, meat, eggs
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
Exports: $837.7 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa partners: US 47.5%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8.4%, Asia 6.7% (1994)
Imports: $2.867 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals partners: US 60% (1993)
External debt: $4.6 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $21 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 13.589 (December 1995), 13.617 (1995), 13.160 (1994), 12.676 (1993), 12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 757 kmstandard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad)narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominica Government Railway);240 km operated by sugar companies in various gauges (0.558-m,0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges) (1995)
Highways: total: 11,931 km paved: 5,766 km unpaved: 6,165 km (1987 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports: Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris,Santo Domingo
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 31with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 14with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 190,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwaveradio relay networkinternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station -1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 0, shortwave 6
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 728,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,212,012 males fit for military service: 1,391,472 males reach military age (18) annually: 83,611 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $116 million, 1.4% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Ecuador ———-
Map —-
Location: 2 00 S, 77 30 W — Western South America, bordering thePacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
Geography ————-
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean atthe Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 283,560 sq kmland area: 276,840 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Nevadanote: includes Galapagos Islands
Land boundaries: total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,237 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland andGalapagos Islandsterritorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peruare in dispute
Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:arable land: 6%permanent crops: 3%meadows and pastures: 17%forest and woodland: 51%other: 23%
Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; waterpollutionnatural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanicactivity; periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
Geographic note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano inworld
People ———
Population: 11,466,291 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 2,062,468; female 1,996,679)15-64 years: 60% (male 3,403,197; female 3,489,728)65 years and over: 5% (male 241,217; female 273,002) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.96% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 25.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 34.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.09 years male: 68.49 years female: 73.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Spanish 10%, black 10%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especiallyQuechua)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 90.1%male: 92%female: 88.2%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Ecuadorconventional short form: Ecuadorlocal long form: Republica del Ecuadorlocal short form: Ecuador
Data code: EC
Type of government: republic
Capital: Quito
Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, ElOro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios,Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Quito)
Constitution: 10 August 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literatepersons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLENCordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Eduardo PENA Trivino(since 18 October 1995); president and vice president were electedfor four-year terms by universal suffrage; runoff election held 5July 1992; results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected as president (nextelection was held 19 May 1996; no presidential candidate receivedmore than 50% of the vote; a runoff election between BUCARAM andNEBOT will be held on 7 July 1996); note - former Vice PresidentDAHIK resigned 11 October 1995 and left the country to escape arreston corruption charges; National Congress chose PENA as his successorin accordance with the constitutioncabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held 19 May 1996; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (82 total) PSC 27, PRE 21, DP 10, Pachakutik Movement 7, ID 5, PLRE 3, MPD 2, APRE 2, CFP 1, independent and other 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are electedby the Chamber of Representatives
Political parties and leaders:Center-Right parties: Republican Unity Party (PUR); Social ChristianParty (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Ecuadorian ConservativeParty (PCE), President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN (two parties merged in1995)Center-Left parties: Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos,Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), RodrigoPAZ, leader; Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Medardo MORA,leader; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario,directorPopulist parties: Roldosist Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz,director; Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Rodolfo BAQUERIZONazur, leader; Popular Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGASPassos, leaderFar-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Juan JoseCASTELLO, leader; Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS,leader; Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Rene Mauge MOSQUERA, chairman;Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, directorCommunists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), ReneMauge MOSQUERA, Secretary General; Communist Party ofEcuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist)
International organization participation: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA,NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Edgar TERAN Teranchancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, NewOrleans, New York, and San Franciscoconsulate(s): Newark
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. ROMEROembassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quitomailing address: APO AA 34039telephone: [593] (2) 562-890FAX: [593] (2) 502-052consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven in recent years because of fluctuations in prices for Ecuador's primary exports - oil and bananas - as well as because of government policies designed to curb inflation. President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN launched a series of macroeconomic reforms when he came into office in August 1992, which included raising domestic fuel prices and utility rates, eliminating most subsidies, and bringing the government budget into balance. These measures helped to reduce inflation from 55% in 1992 to 25% in 1995. DURAN-BALLEN has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign investment than his predecessor and has supported several laws designed to encourage foreign investment. Ecuador has implemented free or complementary trade agreements with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as joined the World Trade Organization. Growth slowed to 2.3% in 1995 due in part to high domestic interest rates and shortages of electric power.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $44.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 39% services: 48% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1995)
Labor force: 2.8 million by occupation: agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other activities 28% (1982)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $3.3 billionexpenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work,paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: 6.4% (1993)
Electricity: capacity: 2,230,000 kW production: 6.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 612 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of cocaoriginating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producerof coca; importer of precursor chemicals used in production ofillicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub
Exports: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: petroleum 39%, bananas 17%, shrimp 16%, cocoa 3%,coffee 6%partners: US 42%, Latin America 29%, Caribbean, EU countries 17%
Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: transport equipment, consumer goods, vehicles,machinery, chemicalspartners: US 28%, EU 17%, Latin America 31%, Caribbean, Japan
External debt: $12.6 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $153 million (1993)note: received $12.7 million from the US and $160 million from othercountries in 1995
Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 2914.8 (31 December 1995), 2,564.5 (1995), 2,196.7 (1994), 1,919.1 (1993), 1,534.0 (1992), 1,046.25 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 965 km (single track)narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 43,709 km paved: 5,245 km unpaved: 38,464 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 1,500 km
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar,San Lorenzo
Merchant marine:total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 114,701 GRT/171,240 DWTships by type: container 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 12,passenger 3, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 188with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13with paved runways under 914 m: 121with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 586,300 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliableinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 272, FM 0, shortwave 39
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 940,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,968,361 males fit for military service: 2,006,509 males reach military age (20) annually: 121,241 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $386 million, 2.1% of GDP (1995)
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@Egypt ——-
Map —-
Location: 27 00 N, 30 00 E — Northern Africa, bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,between Libya and the Gaza Strip
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1,001,450 sq kmland area: 995,450 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than three times the size of NewMexico
Land boundaries:total: 2,689 kmborder countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km,Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km, tensions over this disputed area began to escalate in 1992 and remain high
Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 2%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 95%
Irrigated land: 25,850 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization andwindblown sands; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam;desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, andmarine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides,raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial watersource; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resourcesnatural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flashfloods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm calledkhamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstormsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
People ———
Population: 63,575,107 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 37% (male 11,970,197; female 11,462,689)15-64 years: 60% (male 19,127,696; female 18,738,304)65 years and over: 3% (male 1,028,916; female 1,247,305) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 1.91% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 28.18 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 72.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.43 years male: 59.51 years female: 63.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Egyptian(s)adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, andBerbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarilyItalian and French) 1%
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), CopticChristian and other 6% (official estimate)
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understoodby educated classes
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 51.4%male: 63.6%female: 38.8%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egyptconventional short form: Egyptlocal long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyahlocal short form: noneformer: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Data code: EG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Cairo
Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular -muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum,Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, AlMinufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid,Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id,Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj
Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution: 11 September 1971
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, andNapoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council ofState (oversees validity of administrative decisions); acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (sworn in aspresident 14 October 1981, eight days after the assassination ofPresident SADAT); national referendum held 4 October 1993 validatedMUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third six-yearpresidential term; note - the president is nominated by the People'sAssembly and that nomination must then be validated by a national,popular referendumhead of government: Prime Minister Kamal Ahmed al-GANZOURI (since 4January 1996) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameralPeople's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b): elections last held 29 November1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - NDP 72%, idependents 25%,opposition 3%; seats - (454 total, 444 elected, 10 appointed by thepresident) NDP 317, independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist ArabDemocratic Party 1, Liberals 1Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): functions only in a consultativerole; elections last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA); results- NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats - (264 total, 176 elected, 88appointed by the president) seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP),President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party;legal opposition parties are as follows: New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'adSIRAJ AL-DIN; Socialist Labor Party (SLP), Ibrahim SHUKRI; NationalProgressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid Muhi al-DIN; SocialistLiberal Party, Mustafa Kamal MURAD; Democratic Unionist Party,Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; Misral-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), leader NA; Nasserist ArabDemocratic Party, Dia' al-din DAWUD; Democratic Peoples' Party,Anwar AFIFI; The Greens Party, Kamal KIRAH; Social Justice Party,Muhammad 'ABD-AL-'ALnote: formation of political parties must be approved by government
Other political or pressure groups: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more aggressively in the past year to block its influence; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned