Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)
Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Lansana CONTE,elected in the first multiparty election 19 December 1993 (presidentmust be elected by a majority of the votes cast); prior to theelection he had ruled as head of military government since 5 April1984cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralPeople's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire): thePeople's National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984coup; framework established in December 1991 for a new NationalAssembly with 114 seats; legislative elections were held on 11 June1995; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (114 total) PUP71, RPG 19, PRP 9, UNR 9, UPG 2, PDG 1, UNP 1, PDG/RDA 1, other 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992; of the more than 40 with legal status, the following won seats in the legislature in the 11 June 1995 elections pro-government: Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) other: Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a New Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP), Siradiou DIALLO; Union for Progress of Guinea (UPG), Secretary-General Jean-Marie DORE; Democratic Party of Guinea (DPG), Ahmed Sekou TOURE; National Union for the Prosperity of Guinea (UNPG), Lt.Col. Facine TOURE, leader; Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG), El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN, leader
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM,OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Bangoura Mahawa CAMARAchancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM III embassy: Rue KA 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 44 15 22
Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Although possessing major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector employs 80% of the work force. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991. Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,020 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 31% services: 45% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 2.4 million (1983) by occupation: agriculture 80.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4%, civil service 3.6%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $449 millionexpenditures: $708 million, including capital expenditures of $361million (1990 est.)
Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; lightmanufacturing and agricultural processing industries
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 180,000 kW production: 520 million kWh consumption per capita: 77 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Exports: $562 million (1994 est.)commodities: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples,bananas, palm kernelspartners: US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%
Imports: $688 million (1994 est.)commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transportequipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffspartners: France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%
External debt: $3.02 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 995.3 (August 1995), 976.6 (1994), 955.5 (1993), 902.0 (1992), 753.9 (1991) note: the official exchange rate of the Guinean franc was set and quoted weekly against the US dollar until end-October 1993; since 1 November 1994, the exchange rate is determined in the interbank market for foreign exchange
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 1,086 kmstandard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge; note - includes 662 km in commoncarrier service from Kankan to Conakry
Highways: total: 29,750 km paved: 4,490 km unpaved: 25,260 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Ports: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 14with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 18,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, smallradiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relaysystemdomestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communicationinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 257,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force,Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary NationalGendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 1,684,264males fit for military service: 849,404 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $50 million, 1.6%of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Guinea-Bissau ——————-
Map —-
Location: 12 00 N, 15 00 W — Western Africa, bordering the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,between Guinea and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 36,120 sq kmland area: 28,000 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than three times the size ofConnecticut
Land boundaries: total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m
Natural resources: phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits ofpetroleum, fish, timber
Land use:arable land: 11%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 43%forest and woodland: 38%other: 7%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishingnatural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reducevisibility during dry season; brush firesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear TestBan, Wetlands
People ———
Population: 1,151,330 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 247,471; female 246,725)15-64 years: 54% (male 295,132; female 329,681)65 years and over: 3% (male 15,603; female 16,718) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.7 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 16.23 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 115.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.28 years male: 46.63 years female: 49.99 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.34 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guinea-Bissauan(s) adjective: Guinea-Bissauan
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%,Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 54.9%male: 68%female: 42.5%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissauconventional short form: Guinea-Bissaulocal long form: Republica de Guine-Bissaulocal short form: Guine-Bissauformer: Portuguese Guinea
Data code: PU
Type of government: republic, formerly highly centralized, multiparty since mid-1991
Capital: Bissau
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao);Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974)
Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the government)
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau JoaoBernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14 November 1980) was elected for afive-year term by universal suffrage; election last held August 1994(next to be held 1999); results - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52%, KumbaYALLA 48%head of government: Prime Minister Manuel SATURNINO (since 5November 1994) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralNational People's Assembly: (Assembleia Nacional Popular) electionslast held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held 1999); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) PAIGC 62, RGB 19,PRS 12, Union for Change Coalition 6, FLING 1
Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in theCouncil of Ministers
Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independenceof Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President Joao BernardoVIEIRA, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB), Helder Jorge VAZGomes Lopes, leader; Democratic Front (FD); Social Renovation Party(PRS), Koumba YALLA, leader; Union for Change Coalition; Front forthe Liberation and Independence of Guinea (FLING); Democratic SocialFront (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, DomingosFernandes GARNER, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB); Union forChange Coalition
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP,AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOM(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIL, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRALchancery: 918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006telephone: [1] (202) 872-4222FAX: [1] (202) 872-4226
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peggy BLACKFORD embassy: Bairro de Penha, Bissau mailing address: C.P. 297, 1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau telephone: [245] 252273, 252274, 252275, 252276 FAX: [245] 252282
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of development. With IMF support, the country is committed to an economic reform program emphasizing monetary stability and private sector growth. This process will continue at a slow pace because of a heavy foreign debt burden and internal constraints.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 44% industry: 8% services: 48% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 403,000 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 22,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 37 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts,peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; fishing and forest potential notfully exploited
Exports: $32 million (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernelspartners: Portugal, Spain, Senegal, India, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire
Imports: $63 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products, machinery and equipment partners: Portugal, Netherlands, China, Germany, Senegal
External debt: $692 million (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 17,659 (December 1995), 12,892 (1994), 10,082 (1993), 6,934 (1992), 3,659 (1991), 2,185 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications ———————
Telephones: 3,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: poor system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiotelephone communications international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 40,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army,Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 259,738 males fit for military service: 148,291 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9 million, 4.5% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Guyana ———
Map —-
Location: 5 00 N, 59 00 W — Northern South America, bordering theNorth Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Flag ——
Description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and the green
Geography ————-
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North AtlanticOcean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:total area: 214,970 sq kmland area: 196,850 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries: total: 2,462 km border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline: 459 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continentalmarginexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: all of the area west of the EssequiboRiver claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (UpperCourantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of theCourantyne)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds;two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna insouthlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber,shrimp, fish
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 6%forest and woodland: 83%other: 8%
Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural andindustrial chemicals; deforestationnatural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainyseasonsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, TropicalTimber 83, Whaling
People ———
Population: 712,091 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33% (male 118,796; female 114,327)15-64 years: 63% (male 224,219; female 222,562)65 years and over: 4% (male 14,582; female 17,605) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.9% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 19.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -18.47 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 51.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.1 years male: 57.55 years female: 62.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)adjective: Guyanese
Ethnic divisions: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian4%, European and Chinese 2%
Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%
Languages: English, Amerindian dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)total population: 98.1%male: 98.6%female: 97.5%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyanaconventional short form: Guyanaformer: British Guiana
Data code: GY
Type of government: republic
Capital: Georgetown
Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini,Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, EssequiboIslands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam,Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Constitution: 6 October 1980
Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Executive President Cheddi JAGAN (since 9 October1992); the president is elected by the majority party in theNational Assembly after legislative elections, which must be heldwithin five years; legislative elections last held 5 October 1992(next to be held NA 1997); results - Cheddi JAGAN was electedpresident by the PPPhead of government: Prime Minister Sam HINDS (since 9 October 1992)was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president; isresponsible to the legislature
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be held in 1997); results - PPP 53.4%, PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%; seats - (65 total, 53 elected) PPP 36, PNC 26, WPA 2, TUF 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature
Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP),Cheddi JAGAN; People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE;Good and Green Georgetown (GGG), Hamilton GREEN; Working People'sAlliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA, Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic LaborMovement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM),Llewellyn JOHN; National Democratic Front (NDF), Joseph BACCHUS; TheUnited Force (TUF), Manzoor NADIR; United Republican Party (URP),Leslie RAMSAMMY; National Republican Party (NRP), Robert GANGADEEN;Guyana Labor Party (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL
Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress (TUC);Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO); Civil LibertiesAction Committee (CLAC)note: the latter two organizations are small and active but not wellorganized
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAELchancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900, 6901consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David L. HOBBS embassy: 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown telephone: [592] (2) 54900 through 54909, 57960 through 57969 FAX: [592] (2) 58497
Flag: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and the green
Economy ———-
Economic overview: In 1995, Guyana, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, posted its fifth straight year of economic growth of 5% or better, with the advance led by gold mining and by production of rice, sugar, and forestry products for export. Favorable factors include recovery in the key agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative, a more realistic exchange rate, a sharp drop in the inflation rate, and the continued support of international organizations. Serious underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national output. The government must persist in efforts to manage its $2 billion external debt, control inflation, and extend the privatization program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 26.5% industry: 27.8% services: 45.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995)
Labor force: 268,000by occupation: industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%,services 21.7%note: public-sector employment amounts to 60%-80% of the total laborforce (1985)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $209 millionexpenditures: $303 million, including capital expenditures of $109million (1995 est.)
Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing(shrimp), textiles, gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 110,000 kW production: 230 million kWh consumption per capita: 286 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork,poultry, dairy products; development potential exists for fishingand forestry
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from SouthAmerica - primarily Venezuela - to the US and Europe; producer ofcannabis
Exports: $453 million (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: sugar, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molassespartners: UK 33%, US 31%, Canada 9%, France 5%, Japan 3% (1992)
Imports: $456 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food partners: US 37%, Trinidad and Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Italy 8%, Japan 5% (1992)
External debt: $2.2 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 140.3 (January 1996), 142.0 (1995), 138.3 (1994), 126.7 (1993), 125.0 (1992), 111.8 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 88 kmstandard gauge: 40 km 1.435-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
Highways:total: 7,621 kmpaved: 547 kmunpaved: 7,074 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice,Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vesselsfor 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively
Ports: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 47with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 32with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 33,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: fair system for long-distance calling domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 1
Radios: 398,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces, CoastGuard, and Air Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), GuyanaNational Service (GNS)
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 197,548males fit for military service: 149,646 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7 million, 1.7%of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Haiti ——-
Map —-
Location: 19 00 N, 72 25 W — Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 27,750 sq kmland area: 27,560 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 275 km border country: Dominican Republic 275 km
Coastline: 1,771 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims US-administered Navassa Island
Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m
Natural resources: bauxite
Land use:arable land: 20%permanent crops: 13%meadows and pastures: 18%forest and woodland: 4%other: 45%
Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remainingforested land is being cleared for agriculture and use as fuel);soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable waternatural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt andsubject to severe storms from June to October; occasional floodingand earthquakes; periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, NuclearTest Ban
Geographic note: shares island of Hispaniola with DominicanRepublic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is theDominican Republic)
People ———
Population: 6,731,539 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46% (male 1,568,943; female 1,523,406)15-64 years: 50% (male 1,614,679; female 1,758,388)65 years and over: 4% (male 132,460; female 133,663) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 38.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.96 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.52 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: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 103.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.26 years male: 47.26 years female: 51.35 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian
Ethnic divisions: black 95%, mulatto and European 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also practice Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)
Languages: French (official) 10%, Creole
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 45%male: 48%female: 42.2%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti local short form: Haiti
Data code: HA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Administrative divisions: 9 departments, (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Constitution: approved March 1987, suspended June 1988, most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule, October 1994
Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Rene Garcia PREVAL (since 7 February1996), was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;election last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held by December2000); results - Rene PREVAL 88%, Leon JEUNE 2.5%, Victor BENOIT 2.3%head of government: Prime Minister Rosny SMARTH (since March 1996)was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet; was chosen by prime minister in consultation withthe president
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (AssembleeNationale)Senate: elections last held 25 June 1995 with reruns on 13 Augustand runoffs on 17 September (next to be held 25 June 1999); results- percent of vote by party NA; seats - 27 totalChamber of Deputies: elections last held 25 June 1995 with reruns on13 August and runoffs on 17 September; results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - 83 total
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: National Front for Change andDemocracy (FNCD), Evans PAUL and Turneb DELPE; National CooperativeAction Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; National Congress ofDemocratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT; Movement for theInstallation of Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; NationalProgressive Revolutionary Party (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; NationalPatriotic Movement of November 28 (MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE;National Agricultural and Industrial Party (PAIN), Louis DEJOIE;Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene THEODORE; HaitianChristian Democratic Party (PDCH), Fritz PIERRE; Assembly ofProgressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; NationalLabor Party (PNT), Remy ZAMOR; Mobilization for National Development(MDN), Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation ofHaiti (MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party(PSCH), Gregoire EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of theCountry (MOP), Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE; Democratic UnityConfederation (KID), Evans PAUL; National Lavalas PoliticalOrganization (OPL), Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES; Open the Gate Party(PLB), Renaud BERNARDIN; Haitian National Democratic ProgressiveParty (PNDPH), Turneb DELPE
Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church;Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers TradeUnions (FOS); Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National PopularAssembly (APN); Papaye Peasants Movement (MPP)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, Caricom(observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ITU, LAES, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean CASIMIR chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 through 4092 FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING embassy: 5 Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince telephone: [509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, 22-0612 FAX: [509] 23-1641
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: About 75% of the population lives in abject poverty. Nearly 70% of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force. The country has experienced only moderate job creation since President ARISTIDE was returned to power in October 1994. Failure to reach agreement with multilateral lenders in late 1995 led to rising deficit spending and subsequently increasing inflation and a drop in the value of the Haitian currency in the final months of 1995. Potential investors, both foreign and domestic, have been reluctant to risk their capital, planning to "wait and see" what happens in the months following the inauguration of newly elected President Rene PREVAL and the drawdown of UN peacekeeping forces. The PREVAL government will have to grapple with implementing necessary, although unpopular, economic reforms in order to obtain badly needed foreign aid and improve Haiti's ability to attract foreign capital if the Haitian economy is to gain momentum. Haiti will continue to depend heavily on foreign aid in the medium term.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 34.8% industry: 23% services: 42.2% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.5% (FY 94/95)
Labor force: 2.3 million by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9% note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)
Unemployment rate: 60% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $242 millionexpenditures: $299.4 million including capital expenditures of $NA(FY94/95)
Industries: sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement,tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts
Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 150,000 kW production: 590 million kWh consumption per capita: 86 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana enroute to the US and Europe
Exports: $161 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture8%, other 8%partners: US 81%, Europe 12% (1993)
Imports: $537 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%,petroleum products 14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%partners: US 51%, Europe 16%, Latin America 18% (1993)
External debt: $827 million (September 1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: gourdes (G) per US$1 - 16.783 (January 1996), 16.160 (1995), 12.947 (1994), 12.805 (1993), 10.953 (1992), 8.240 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 40 km (single track; privately owned industrial line)-closedin early 1990'snarrow gauge: 40 km 0.760-m gauge
Highways:total: 3,978 kmpaved: 944 kmunpaved: 3,034 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: negligible; less than 100 km navigable
Ports: Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Cayes, Miragoane,Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 11with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 4with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 50,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities barely adequate,international facilities slightly betterdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 33, FM 0, shortwave 2
Radios: 320,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Haitian National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,379,116 males fit for military service: 746,617 males reach military age (18) annually: 67,287 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Heard Island and McDonald Islands ————————————————-
(territory of Australia)
Map —-
Location: 53 06 S, 72 31 E — Southern Africa, islands in theIndian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar toAntarctica
Flag ——
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, abouttwo-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:total area: 412 sq kmland area: 412 sq kmcomparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101.9 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcanocalled Big Beninternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: primarily used for research stations
People ———
Population: uninhabited
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonaldIslandsconventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Data code: HM
Type of government: territory of Australia administered by theMinistry for Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Holy See (Vatican City) ———————————-
Map —-
Location: 41 54 N, 12 27 E — Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome(Italy)
Flag ——
Description: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 0.44 sq kmland area: 0.44 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 3.2 km border country: Italy 3.2 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain: low hill lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution,Environmental Modification
Geographic note: urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
People ———
Population: 840 (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: none adjective: none
Ethnic divisions: Italians, Swiss
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Data code: VT
Type of government: monarchical-sacerdotal state
Capital: Vatican City
Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978)(John Paul II)note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March1968)
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch:chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October1978) was elected for life by the College of Cardinals; electionlast held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of thecurrent pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by theCollege of Cardinalshead of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo CardinalSODANO (since NA 1991) was appointed by the popecabinet: Pontifical Commission was appointed by Pope
Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influenceexercised by church officers)
International organization participation: IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat,IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD,UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop AgostinoCACCIAVILLANchancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153 mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (6) 46741 FAX: [39] (6) 5758346, 57300682
Flag: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Labor force: NAby occupation: dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 layworkers who live outside the Vatican
Budget:revenues: $175.5 millionexpenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994)
Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaicsand staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Electricity:capacity: 5,000 kW standbyproduction: power supplied by Italyconsumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)
Currency: 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,583.8 (January 1996), 1,629.6 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 862 meters; note - connects to Italy's network at Rome'sSaint Peter's stationnarrow gauge: 862 meters 1.435-m gauge
Highways: none; all city streets