GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 37% services: 53% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 29% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 750,000 (1992) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 8% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $620 millionexpenditures: $582 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(January-October 1995)
Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 3,420,000 kW production: 11.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,528 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; very limited illicit opium producer; mostly for domestic consumption
Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: textile 14%, food products 11%, vehicles 11%, metals11% (1993)partners: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany
Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995)commodities: machinery 18%, fuels 15%, vehicles 14%, textiles 10%(1993)partners: Finland, Russia, Germany, Sweden
External debt: $270 million (January 1996)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $147 million (1993)note: Western commitments $285 million (including internationalfinancial institutions)
Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August1992)
Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US$1 - 11.523 (December 1995), 11.465 (1995), 12.991 (1994), 13.223 (1993); note - krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not includededicated industrial linesbroad gauge: 1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995)
Highways:total: 14,771 kmpaved: 8,124 km (including 62 km of expressways)unpaved: 6,647 km (1993)
Waterways: 500 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992)
Ports: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn
Merchant marine:total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 353,140 GRT/467,086 DWTships by type: bulk 6, cargo 33, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-offcargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 22with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 400,000
Telephone system: system is antiquated; improvements are beingmade piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs and internationalconnections; there are still about 150,000 unfulfilled requests forsubscriber servicedomestic: substantial investment has been made in cellular systemswhich are operational throughout Estoniainternational: international traffic is carried to the other formerSoviet republics by landline or microwave radio relay and to othercountries partly by leased connection to the Moscow internationalgateway switch and partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber-optic,submarine cable which gives Estonia access to international circuitseverywhere; access to the international packet-switched digitalnetwork via Helsinki
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave 0
Radios: 710,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs
Televisions: 600,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force (notofficially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer DefenseLeague (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops),Coast Guard
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 357,835males fit for military service: 280,757males reach military age (18) annually: 10,525 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.5%of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Ethiopia ————
Map —-
Location: 8 00 N, 38 00 E — Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1,127,127 sq kmland area: 1,119,683 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,311 kmborder countries: Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km,Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden
Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by GreatRift Valleylowest point: Denakil -125 mhighest point: Ras Dashen Terara 4,620 m
Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash
Land use:arable land: 12%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 41%forest and woodland: 24%other: 22%
Irrigated land: 1,620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;desertification; faminenatural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptibleto earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified- Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Seawas lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993
People ———
Population: 57,171,662 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46% (male 13,116,158; female 13,080,276)15-64 years: 51% (male 14,782,995; female 14,624,779)65 years and over: 3% (male 728,808; female 838,646) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.72% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.05 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan, Kenya andSomalia for refuge from war and famine in earlier years, is expectedto continue in 1996; entry into Ethiopia of Sudanese and Somalisfleeing the fighting in their own countries is also continuing in1996
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 122.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.85 years male: 45.71 years female: 48.02 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian
Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%,Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%
Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist12%, other 5%
Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga,Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 35.5%male: 45.5%female: 25.3%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopiaconventional short form: Ethiopialocal long form: nonelocal short form: Ityop'iyaabbreviation: FDRE
Data code: ET
Type of government: federal republic note: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a new constitution was promulgated in December 1994 and national and regional popular elections were held in May and June 1995
Capital: Addis Ababa
Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically-based administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1 federal capital*: Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara; Benshangul/Gumaz; Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples; Tigray
Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of theoldest in the world - at least 2,000 years
National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengisturegime)
Constitution: new constitution promulgated in December 1994
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President NEGASSO Gidada (since NA August 1995)elected by the Council of People's Representatives following theelections of legislators in May and June 1995head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August1995) designated by the party in power, EPRDF, following theelections of legislators in May and June 1995cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided in the December 1994constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister andapproved by the Council of People's Representatives
Legislative branch: bicameral legislatureFederal Council: upper chamber, having NA members, represents theethnic interests of the regional governments and is elected by theregional assembliesCouncil of People's Representatives: lower chamber, having 550members, elected by popular votenote: both bodies have five-year terms of office; regional andnational popular elections were held in May and June 1995; results -EPRDF swept nearly all seats
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the nationallegislature
Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's RevolutionaryDemocratic Front (EPRDF), MELES Zenawi
Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF);All Amhara People's Organization; Southern Ethiopia People'sDemocratic Coalition; numerous small, ethnic-based groups haveformed since MENGISTU'S resignation, including several Islamicmilitant groups
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO,WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christoschancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 234-2281, 2282FAX: [1] (202) 328-7950
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Irvin HICKSembassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababamailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababatelephone: [251] (1) 550666FAX: [251] (1) 552191
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and redwith a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from theangles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the threebands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and thecolors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countriesupon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. Its economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for about half of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent periods of drought, poor cultivation practices, and deterioration of internal security conditions. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state-run. The government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants and is implementing reform measures that are gradually liberalizing the economy. A major medium-term problem is the improvement of roads, water supply, and other parts of an infrastructure badly neglected during years of civil strife.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 48% industry: 15% services: 37% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (FY93/94)
Labor force: 18 million by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $1.2 billionexpenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $707million (FY93/94)
Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals,metals processing, cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 460,000 kW production: 1.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, other vegetables; hides, cattle, sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (chat) for local use and regional export
Exports: $296 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: coffee, leather products, goldpartners: Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy
Imports: $972 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, fuelpartners: US, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan
External debt: $3.7 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $1.036 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 6.3200 (December 1995), 6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93); fixed at 2.070 before 1992; note - official rate pegged to the US$
Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djiboutirailroad)narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:total: 24,127 kmpaved: 3,289 kmunpaved: 20,838 km (1993 est.)
Ports: none; Ethiopia is landlocked but by agreement with Eritreamay use the ports of Assab and Massawa
Merchant marine:total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,908 DWTships by type: cargo 8, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995est.)
Airports:total: 58with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 6with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 29 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 100,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 9.9 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Policenote: following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopia's navalfacilities remained in Eritrea's possession; current reorganizationplans do not include a navy
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 12,912,144males fit for military service: 6,707,180males reach military age (18) annually: 583,724 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million,4.1% of GDP (FY93/94)
======================================================================
@Europa Island ——————-
(possession of France)
Map —-
Location: 22 20 S, 40 22 E — Southern Africa, island in theMozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southernMadagascar to southern Mozambique
Flag ——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, aboutone-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 28 sq kmland area: 28 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 22.2 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 24 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%meadows and pastures: NA%forest and woodland: NA% (heavily wooded)other: NA%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: wildlife sanctuary
People ———
Population: uninhabited
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa
Data code: EU
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic; resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Communications note: 1 meteorological station
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) ————————————————-
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 51 45 S, 59 00 W — Southern South America, islands inthe South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Flag ——
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Geography ————-
Location: Southern South America, islands in the South AtlanticOcean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 12,170 sq kmland area: 12,170 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticutnote: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland andabout 200 small islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed byArgentina
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rainoccurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year,except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulatingplainslowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 99%forest and woodland: 0%other: 1%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the yearinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: deeply indented coast provides good naturalharbors; short growing season
People ———
Population: 2,374 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.43% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions: British
Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church,Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-DayAdventist
Languages: English
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islandsconventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Data code: FA
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952)is a hereditary monarchhead of government: Governor R. RALPH (since NA) was appointed bythe queencabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the LegislativeCouncil, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financialsecretary), and the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: elections last held 11 October 1989 (next was to be held NA October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage
Budget:revenues: $42.7 millionexpenditures: $28.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993-94 est.)
Industries: wool and fish processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 9,200 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small dairy herds
Exports: $5.4 millioncommodities: wool, hides, meatpartners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)
Imports: $26.2 millioncommodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinerypartners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NAnote: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million(1993-94)
Currency: 1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 510 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 480 km
Ports: Stanley
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 5with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1,180 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CBradiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost allpoints on both islandsinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)with links through London to other countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated)
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, RoyalAir Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands ——————-
(part of the Danish realm)
Map —-
Location: 62 00 N, 7 00 W — Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Flag ——
Description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 1,400 sq kmland area: 1,400 sq kmcomparative area: eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 764 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 98%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a fewuninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanesin northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation tosmall coastal lowlands
People ———
Population: 43,857 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (male 5,461; female 5,280)15-64 years: 62% (male 14,488; female 12,617)65 years and over: 14% (male 2,661; female 3,350) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.8% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -23.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 0.99 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.83 years male: 74.75 years female: 80.88 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Faroese (singular and plural)adjective: Faroese
Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar
Data code: FO
Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark
Capital: Torshavn
Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)
Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governingoverseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January1972), who is a constitutional monarch, is represented by HighCommissioner Bent KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA)head of government: Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15September 1994) was elected by the Logtingcabinet: Landsstyri was elected by the Logting
Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament (Logting): elections last held 8 July 1994 (next to be held by July 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (32 total) Liberal Party 8, People's Party 6, Social Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian Democrats 2, Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2 Danish Parliament: elections last held on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Liberals 2
Judicial branch: none
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, MaritaPETERSEN; Workers Front, Oli JACOBSEN; Home Rule Party, Helena Dam ANEYSTABO; The "Coalition Party," Edmund JOENSEN; Republican Party,Finnbogi ISAKSON; Centrist Party, Tordur NICLASEN; ChristianPeople's Party, Niels Pauli DANIELSEN; People's Party, ArnfinnKALLSBERG; Liberal Party, Jorgen ESTRUP; Christian Democratic Party
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)
Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The Faroese economy is experiencing a moderate upturn after several years of decline brought on by over-fishing and declining fish prices, large budget deficits by the Faroese Home Rule Government (FHRG), plummeting property values, and a bail-out merger of the two largest Faroese banks. Near-term forecasts suggest continued economic recovery, and oil finds close to the Faroese area may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have enjoyed a standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $733 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $15,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 17,585by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing,transportation, and commerce
Unemployment rate: 23% (1993)
Budget:revenues: $407.2 millionexpenditures: $482.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993 est.)
Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 200 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,953 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: potatoes, vegetables; sheep; annual fish catch about 360,000 metric tons
Exports: $345.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs,transport equipment (ships) (1989)partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain7.9%, US 4.5%
Imports: $234.4 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US1.3%
External debt: $1.2 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January 1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 443 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Klaksvick, Torshavn, Tvoroyri
Merchant marine:total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,879 GRT/18,444 DWTships by type: cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-seapassenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 27,900 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: good international communications; fair domesticfacilitiesdomestic: NAinternational: 3 coaxial submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3 (repeaters 10), shortwave 0
Radios: 24,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 29)
Televisions: 14,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small PoliceForce and Coast Guard are maintained
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
======================================================================
@Fiji ——
Map —-
Location: 18 00 S, 175 00 E — Oceania, island group in the SouthPacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Flag ——
Description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, abouttwo-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 18,270 sq kmland area: 18,270 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,129 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oilpotential
Land use:arable land: 8%permanent crops: 5%meadows and pastures: 3%forest and woodland: 65%other: 19%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; soil erosionnatural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to Januaryinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling
Geographic note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110are inhabited
People ———
Population: 782,381 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 141,652; female 135,829)15-64 years: 62% (male 240,621; female 240,620)65 years and over: 3% (male 11,235; female 12,424) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.22 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 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.71 years male: 63.39 years female: 68.14 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian
Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other PacificIslanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5%
Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there isa Muslim minority (1986)
Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 91.6%male: 93.8%female: 89.3%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Fiji conventional short form: Fiji
Data code: FJ
Type of government: republic note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987
Capital: Suva
Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central,Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970)
Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a newConstitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25July 1990; the 1990 Constitution is under review; the review isscheduled to be complete by 1997
Legal system: based on British system
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (Acting Presidentsince 15 December 1993, President since 12 January 1994) wasappointed for a five-year term by the Great Council of Chiefs; FirstVice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994);Second Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994)head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June1992) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Minister TimociVESIKULA (since NA)Presidential Council: advises the president on matters of nationalimportanceGreat Council of Chiefs: highest ranking members of the traditionalchiefly systemcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: nonelective body, members are appointed by the president and serve five-year terms; seats - (34 total, 24 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 9 for Indians and others, and 1 for the island of Rotuma) House of Representatives: members serve five-year terms; elections last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and other 6 seats) SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FAP 5, GVP 4, independents 2, ANC 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT -primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; NationalFederation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Jai Ram REDDY; FijianNationalist Party (FNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP),Mahendra CHAUDHRY; General Voters Party (GVP), Leo SMITH; FijiConservative Party (FCP), leader NA; Conservative Party of Fiji(CPF), leader NA; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, leader NA; Fiji IndianCongress Party, leader NA; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leaderNA; Four Corners Party, leader NA; Fijian Association Party (FAP),Josevata KAMIKAMICA; General Electors' Association, leader NAnote: in early 1995, ethnic Fijian members of the All NationalCongress (ANC) merged with the Fijian Association (FA); theremaining members of the ANC have renamed their party the GeneralElectors' Association
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVAchancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996consulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Don Lee GEVIRTZembassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suvamailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suvatelephone: [679] 314466FAX: [679] 300081
Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Fiji, richly endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and tourism are the major sources of foreign exchange. Industry contributes 17% to GDP; sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 250,000 tourists visit each year. Political uncertainty and drought, however, contribute to substantial fluctuations in earnings from tourism and sugar and to the emigration of skilled workers. In 1992, growth was approximately 3%, based on growth in tourism and a lessening of labor-management disputes in the sugar and gold-mining sectors. In 1993, the government's budgeted growth rate of 3% was not achieved because of a decline in non-sugar agricultural output and damage from Cyclone Kina. Growth in 1994 of 5% was largely attributable to increased tourism and expansion in the manufacturing sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 17% services: 61% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1995)
Labor force: 235,000by occupation: subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salaryearners 15% (1987)
Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1992)
Budget:revenues: $495.6 millionexpenditures: $591.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber,small cottage industries
Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1993 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 200,000 kW production: 480 million kWh consumption per capita: 581 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweetpotatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish catch nearly33,000 tons (1989)
Exports: $571.8 million (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: sugar 40%, clothing, gold, processed fish, lumberpartners: EC 26%, Australia 15%, Pacific Islands 11%, Japan 6%
Imports: $864.3 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6%
External debt: $670 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4347 (January 1996), 1.4063 (1995), 1.4641 (1994), 1.5418 (1993), 1.5030 (1992), 1.4756 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 597 km; note - belongs to the government-owned Fiji SugarCorporationnarrow gauge: 597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 4,800 kmpaved: NA kmunpaved: NA km
Waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and200-metric-ton barges