Ports: Labasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva
Merchant marine:total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,267 GRT/17,884 DWTships by type: chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-offcargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 21with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 15with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 60,017 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern local, interisland, and international(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communicationscenterdomestic: NAinternational: access to important cable link between US and Canadaand NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (PacificOcean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 12,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes army,navy, and air elements)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 205,616 males fit for military service: 113,339 males reach military age (18) annually: 8,746 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $28 million, 2.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Finland ———-
Map —-
Location: 64 00 N, 26 00 E — Northern Europe, bordering theBaltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden andRussia
Flag ——
Description: white with a blue cross 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, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf ofBothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 337,030 sq kmland area: 305,470 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries: total: 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 6 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 12 nmterritorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Land use:arable land: 8%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 76%other: 16%
Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plantscontributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes,agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populationsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
People ———
Population: 5,105,230 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (male 492,616; female 471,736)15-64 years: 67% (male 1,725,113; female 1,687,974)65 years and over: 14% (male 275,927; female 451,864) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.92 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.47 years male: 73.82 years female: 77.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish
Ethnic divisions: Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%,other 1%
Languages: Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official),small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 100%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Finlandconventional short form: Finlandlocal long form: Suomen Tasavaltalocal short form: Suomi
Data code: FI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Helsinki
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani);Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu,Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa
Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution: 17 July 1919
Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Martti AHTISAARI (since 1 March 1994) waselected for a six-year term by popular vote; election last held 31January-6 February 1994 (next to be held NA January 2000); results -Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46%head of government: Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995)were appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of State (Valtioneuvosto) was appointed by thepresident, responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameralParliament (Eduskunta): elections last held 19 March 1995 (next tobe held NA March 1999); results - Social Democratic Party 28.3%,Center Party 19.9%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 17.9%,Leftist Alliance (Communist) 11.2%, Swedish People's Party 5.1%,Green League 6.5%, Ecology Party 0.3%, Rural 1.3%, Finnish ChristianLeague 3.0%, Liberal People's Party 0.6%, Young Finns 2.8%; seats -(200 total) Social Democratic Party 63, Center Party 44, NationalCoalition (Conservative) Party 39, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 22,Swedish People's Party 11, Green League 9, Ecology Party 1, Rural 1,Finnish Christian League 7, Young Finns 2, Aaland Islands 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus), judges appointedby the president
Political parties and leaders:government coalition: Social Democratic Party, Paavo LIPPONEN;National Coalition (conservative) Party, Sauli NIINISTO; LeftistAlliance (Communist) People's Democratic League and DemocraticAlternative, Claes ANDERSSON; Swedish People's Party, (Johan) OleNORRBACK; Green League, Pekka HAAVISTOother: Center Party, Esko AHO; Finnish Christian League, ToimiKANKAANNIEMI; Rural Party, Raimo VISTBACKA; Liberal People's Party,Tuulikki UKKOLA; Greens Ecological Party (EPV); Young Finns, RistoPENTTILAE
Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity,Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish PensionersParty; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB,ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jaakko LAAJAVAchancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Derek N. SHEARERembassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinkimailing address: APO AE 09723telephone: [358] (0) 171931FAX: [358] (0) 174681
Flag: white with a blue cross 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: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output equaling that of the UK, France and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into deep recession in 1991 as GDP contracted by 6.5%. The recession - which continued in 1992 with GDP contracting by 4.1% - has been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finnish Government has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness and efficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in public expenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and changes in monetary policy. In June 1991 Helsinki had tied the markka to the European Union's (EU) European Currency Unit (ECU) to promote stability. Ongoing speculation resulting from a lack of confidence in the government's policies forced Helsinki to devalue the markka by about 12% in November 1991 and to indefinitely break the link in September 1992. The devaluations have boosted the competitiveness of Finnish exports. The recession bottomed out in 1993, and Finland participated in the general European upturn of 1994. Unemployment probably will remain a serious problem during the next few years; the majority of Finnish firms face a weak domestic market and the troubled German and Swedish export markets. The Finns voted in an October 1994 referendum to enter the EU, and Finland officially joined the Union on 1 January 1995. Increasing integration with Western Europe will dominate the economic picture over the next few years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $92.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 28% services: 67.4% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.533 millionby occupation: public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce15.0%, finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%, agricultureand forestry 8.6%, transport and communications 7.7%, construction7.2%
Unemployment rate: 17% (1995)
Budget:revenues: $21.7 billionexpenditures: $31.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993 est.)
Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copperrefining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1993 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 13,360,000 kW production: 58 billion kWh consumption per capita: 12,196 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; annualfish catch about 160,000 metric tons
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Latin American cocaine forthe West European market
Exports: $29.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: paper and pulp, machinery, chemicals, metals, timber partners: EU 46.5% (Germany 13.4%, UK 10.3%), Sweden 11%, US 7.2%, Japan 2.1%, FSU 8.6% (1994)
Imports: $23.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains partners: EU 44% (Germany 15%, UK 8.3%), Sweden 10.4%, US 7.6%, Japan 6.5%, FSU 10.3 (1994)
External debt: $30 billion (December 1993)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $355 million (1993)
Currency: 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia
Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 4.4425 (January 1996), 4.3667 (1995), 5.2235 (1994), 5.7123 (1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 5,895 kmbroad gauge: 5,895 km 1.524-m gauge (1,993 km electrified; 480 kmdouble- or more-track) (1995)
Highways:total: 76,755 kmpaved: 47,588 km (including 318 km of expressways)unpaved: 29,167 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 kmsuitable for steamers
Pipelines: natural gas 580 km
Ports: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori,Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus
Merchant marine:total: 92 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,051,231 GRT/1,075,397DWTships by type: bulk 8, cargo 20, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 12,passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 31,short-sea passenger 12, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 157with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 23with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21with paved runways under 914 m: 92with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2.78 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: good service from cable and microwave radiorelay networkdomestic: cable and microwave radio relayinternational: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - accessto Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earthstation, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions); note -Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordiccountries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 105, shortwave 0
Radios: 4.98 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 235
Televisions: 2.1 million (1983 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes SeaGuard)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,307,128 males fit for military service: 1,074,540 males reach military age (17) annually: 32,760 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion, 1.6% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@France ———
Map —-
Location: 46 00 N, 2 00 E — Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Flag ——
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependent areas
Geography ————-
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 2 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 547,030 sq kmland area: 545,630 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Coloradonote: includes only metropolitan France (which includes Corsica),but excludes the overseas administrative divisions
Land boundaries:total: 2,892.4 kmborder countries: Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,Switzerland 573 km
Coastline: 3,427 km (mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 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: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, EuropaIsland, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island;Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychellesclaims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part of French Guiana;Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim in Antarctica(Adelie Land); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritimeboundary dispute between Canada and France; claims Matthew andHunter Islands east of New Caledonia
Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild wintersand hot summers along the Mediterranean
Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north andwest; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alpsin eastlowest point: Rhone River delta -2 mhighest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc,potash
Land use:arable land: 32%permanent crops: 2%meadows and pastures: 23%forest and woodland: 27%other: 16%note: includes Corsica
Irrigated land: 14,850 sq km (1993 est.); note - includes Corsica
Environment:current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollutionfrom industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urbanwastes, agricultural runoffnatural hazards: floodinginternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile OrganicCompounds, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: largest West European nation; occasional strong,cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
People ———
Population: 58,317,450 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.04% (male 5,688,505; female 5,417,355)15-64 years: 65.62% (male 19,147,369; female 19,120,935)65 years and over: 15.34% (male 3,589,100; female 5,354,186) (July1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.27 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.93 years male: 73.98 years female: 82.11 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)adjective: French
Ethnic divisions: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, NorthAfrican, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim(North African workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6%
Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects andlanguages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque,Flemish)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 99%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: French Republicconventional short form: Francelocal long form: Republique Francaiselocal short form: France
Data code: FR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Paris
Administrative divisions: 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, EuropaIsland, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands,Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, TromelinIsland, Wallis and Futunanote: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993
Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) waselected for a seven-year term by direct universal suffrage; electionlast held 17 May 1995 (next to be held by May 2002); results -Second Ballot Jacques CHIRAC 52.64%, Lionel JOSPIN 47.36%head of government: Prime Minister Alain JUPPE (since 18 May 1995)was appointed by the presidentcabinet: the Council of Ministers was appointed by the president onthe suggestion of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement)Senate (Senat): elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to beheld September 1998; nine-year term, elected by thirds every threeyears); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total;296 metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments andterritories, and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 132, PS75, PCF 16, other 7National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 21 and28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (577 total) RPR 247, UDF 213, PS 67, PCF 24,independents 26; note - seating as of 24 September 1995: RPR 247,UDF 208, PS 71, PCF 24, independents 27
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeals (Cour de Cassation),judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the HighCouncil of the Judiciary
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), AlainJUPPE, president; Union for French Democracy (UDF - coalition of PR,FD, RAD, PSD), Francois LEOTARD; Republican Party (PR), FrancoisLEOTARD; Democratic Force (FD), Francois BAYROU; Radical (RAD),Andre ROSSINOT; Socialist Party (PS), Lionel JOSPIN; Left RadicalMovement (MRG); Communist Party (PCF), Robert HUE; National Front(FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; The Greens, Dominique VOYNET; GenerationEcology (GE), Brice LALONDE; Citizens Movement (MDC), Jean PierreCHEVENEMENT
Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - CGT) nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail - CFDT) about 800,000 members (est.); independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais - CNPF or Patronat)
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG(observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB(non-regional), CE, CERN, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB,ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR,NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UNSecurity Council, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA,UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Francois BUJON DE L'ESTANGchancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston,Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and SanJuan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela C. HARRIMANembassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependent areas
Economy ———-
Economic overview: One of the four West European trillion-dollar economies, the French economy features considerable - albeit diminishing - state control over its capitalistic market system. In running important industrial segments (railways, airlines, electricity, telecommunications), administrating an exceptionally generous social welfare system, and staffing an enormous bureaucracy, the state spends about 55% of GDP. France has substantial agricultural resources and a diversified modern industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. Largely self-sufficient in agricultural products, France is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy. Following stagnation and recession in 1991-93, French GDP expanded 2.4% in 1994 and in 1995. Persistently high unemployment still poses a major problem for the government, as will the need to cut back on welfare benefits and bureaucratic budgets. Paris remains committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche mark parity, which has kept French interest rates high at the expense of jobs. Although the pace of economic and financial integration within the European Union has slowed down, integration will remain a major force in France, shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors over the next few years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.173 trillion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 26.5% services: 71.1% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995)
Labor force: 24.17 millionby occupation: services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.2%(1987)note: includes Corsica
Unemployment rate: 11.7% (yearend 1995)
Budget:revenues: $220.5 billionexpenditures: $249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47billion (1993 budget)
Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy,aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 105,250,000 kW production: 447 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,149 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world's top 20 countries and is all used domestically
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American cocaine andSouthwest Asian heroin
Exports: $235.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals,foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textilesand clothingpartners: Germany 17.1%, Italy 9.3%, Spain 7.1%, Belgium-Luxembourg8.7%, UK 9.9%, Netherlands 4.6%, US 7.0%, Japan 2.0%, Russia 0.5%
Imports: $229.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products partners: Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.1%, US 8.5%, Netherlands 4.9%, Spain 8.8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.1%, UK 7.9%, Japan 3.7%, Russia 1.2%
External debt: $300 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $7.915 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 33,891 kmstandard gauge: 33,524 km 1.435-m gauge; 32,275 km are operated byFrench National Railways (SNCF); 13,741 km of SNCF routes areelectrified and 12,132 km are double- or multiple-trackednarrow gauge: 367 km 1.000-m gaugenote: includes Corsica; does not include 33 tourist railroads,totalling 469 km, many being of very narrow gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 1,511,200 kmpaved: 811,200 km (including 7,700 km of expressways)unpaved: 700,000 km (1992 est.)note: includes Corsica
Waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled
Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km;natural gas 24,746 km
Ports: Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, LaPallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen,Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg
Merchant marine:total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,203,086 GRT/1,779,263DWTships by type: bulk 6, cargo 5, chemical tanker 5, container 7,liquefied gas tanker 3, oil tanker 16, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-offcargo 6, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 1note: France also maintains a captive register for French-ownedships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands)(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 460with paved runways over 3 047 m: 13with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 26with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 91with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 73with paved runways under 914 m: 179with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 75 (1995 est.)note: includes Corsica
Heliports: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 35 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean Region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM 800 (mostly repeaters), shortwave 0
Radios: 49 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 846 (mostly repeaters) note: Eutelsat receive-only TV service
Televisions: 29.3 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force and AirDefense, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 14,782,577 males fit for military service: 12,299,651 males reach military age (18) annually: 383,252 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $47.7 billion, 2.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@French Guiana ——————-
(overseas department of France)
Map —-
Location: 4 00 N, 53 00 W — Northern South America, bordering theNorth Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Flag ——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ————-
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North AtlanticOcean, between Brazil and Suriname
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 53 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 91,000 sq kmland area: 89,150 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline: 378 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Suriname claims area between RiviereLitani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperaturevariation
Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and smallmountainslowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m
Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered),cinnabar, kaolin, fish
Land use:arable land: NEGL%permanent crops: NEGL%meadows and pastures: NEGL%forest and woodland: 88%other: 12% (1992)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: high frequency of heavy showers and severethunderstorms; floodinginternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: mostly an unsettled wilderness
People ———
Population: 151,187 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 24,447; female 23,378)15-64 years: 63% (male 52,061; female 43,726)65 years and over: 5% (male 3,784; female 3,791) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.86% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.68 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.59 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 18.52 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: 1.19 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.13 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.79 years male: 72.55 years female: 79.19 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.42 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: French Guianese (singular and plural)adjective: French Guianese
Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian,Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10%
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)total population: 83%male: 84%female: 82%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local long form: none local short form: Guyane
Data code: FG
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Cayenne
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May1995); represented by Prefect Pierre DARTOUT who was appointed bythe French Ministry of Interiorhead of government: President of the General Council StephanPHINERA-HORTH (since March 1994)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameralRegional CouncilGeneral Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be heldNA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG8, RPR 2, UDF 1, other right 1, other 7Regional Council: elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be heldNA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG16, FDG 10, RPR 2, independents 3French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to beheld September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -(1 total) PSG 1French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;seats - (2 total) RPR 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based inMartinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and FrenchGuiana)
Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG),Raymond TRACY; Conservative Union for the Republic (UPR), LeonBERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC); Rally for the Republic(RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges OTHILY; WalwariCommittee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON; Socialist Party (PS), JeanBART; Union for French Democracy (UDF), R. CHOW-CHINE
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1992. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $800 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1992)
Labor force: 36,597 (1993) by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980)
Unemployment rate: 24.1% (1993 est.)
Budget:revenues: $133 millionexpenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1992 est.)
Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products,rum, gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 180,000 kW production: 450 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,149 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, vegetables, bananas,sugar; cattle, pigs, poultry
Illicit drugs: small amount of marijuana grown for localconsumption; minor transshipment point to Europe
Exports: $110 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992)
Imports: $719 million (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992)
External debt: $1.2 billion (1988)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km (1995)
Highways:total: 1,817 km (national 432 km, departmental 385 km, community1,000 km)paved: 727 kmunpaved: 1,090 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and riverand coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft
Ports: Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 10with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 4with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 31,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: fair open wire and microwave radio relay systeminternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7, shortwave 0
Radios: 79,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 22,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 43,412 males fit for military service: 28,171 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@French Polynesia ————————
(overseas territory of France)
Map —-
Location: 15 00 S, 140 00 W — Oceania, archipelago in the SouthPacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America toAustralia
Flag ——
Description: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, aboutone-half of the way from South America to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)land area: 3,660 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than one-third the size ofConnecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,525 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderate
Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Orohena 2,241 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 19%meadows and pastures: 5%forest and woodland: 31%other: 44%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in Januaryinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in FrenchPolynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in thePacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati andNauru
People ———
Population: 224,911 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 40,450; female 39,038)15-64 years: 61% (male 70,506; female 65,620)65 years and over: 4% (male 4,636; female 4,661) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.19% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.27 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.94 years male: 68.49 years female: 73.5 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%
Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%
Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official)
Literacy: age 14 and over can read and write, but definition ofliteracy not available (1977 est.)total population: 98%male: 98%female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesiaconventional short form: French Polynesialocal long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaiselocal short form: Polynesie Francaise
Data code: FP
Type of government: overseas territory of France since 1946
Capital: Papeete
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France);there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by theUS Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipeldes Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles duVent, and Iles Sous-le-Ventnote: Clipperton Island is administered by France from FrenchPolynesia
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: based on French system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May1995); represented by High Commissioner of the Republic PaulRONCIERE (since 8 August 1994) who was appointed by the FrenchMinistry of Interiorhead of government: President of the Territorial Government ofFrench Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President ofthe Territorial Assembly Tinomana EBB (since NA)cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of membersof the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve asministers
Legislative branch: unicameralTerritorial Assembly: elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to beheld NA March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -(41 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, PolynesianUnion Party 12, New Fatherland Party 7, other 4French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to beheld NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;seats - (1 total) party NAFrench National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993(next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Court of the First Instance;Court of Administrative Law
Political parties and leaders: People's Rally for the Republic(Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party(includes Te Tiarama and Here Ai'a Party), Jean JUVENTIN; NewFatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Independent Party (IaMana Te Nunaa), Jacques DROLLET; Te Aratia Ote Nunaa, Tinomana EBB;Haere i Mua, Alexandre LEONTIEFF; other small parties
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ,ICFTU, SPC, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory ofFrance)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. The territory will continue to benefit from a five-year (1994-98) development agreement with France aimed principally at creating new jobs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.76 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $8,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994)
Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988) by occupation: agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $686 millionexpenditures: $884 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1989)
Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 75,000 kW production: 334 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,189 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products
Exports: $230 million (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: cultured pearls 41.6%, coconut products,mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1992)partners: France 34%, US 10% (1992)
Imports: $912 million (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipmentpartners: ECE 64% (France 45.4%), US 13.6%, Australia 6.9%, NZ 5.8%,Japan 5% (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————