Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2,000
Telephone system: automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss PapalGuards are posted at entrances to Vatican City
======================================================================
@Honduras ————
Map —-
Location: 15 00 N, 86 30 W — Middle America, bordering theCaribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering theNorth Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Geography ————-
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 112,090 sq kmland area: 111,890 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,520 kmborder countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua922 km
Coastline: 820 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Nicaragua
Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m
Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, ironore, antimony, coal, fish
Land use:arable land: 14%permanent crops: 2%meadows and pastures: 30%forest and woodland: 34%other: 20%
Irrigated land: 900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation resultsfrom logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes;further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolleddevelopment and improper land use practices such as farming ofmarginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (thecountry's largest source of freshwater) with heavy metals as well asseveral rivers and streamsnatural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaginghurricanes and floods along Caribbean coastinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed,but not ratified - Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
People ———
Population: 5,605,193 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 1,220,188; female 1,177,725)15-64 years: 54% (male 1,496,625; female 1,520,918)65 years and over: 3% (male 91,126; female 98,611) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.6% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.53 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: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 41.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.42 years male: 66.01 years female: 70.96 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority
Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 72.7%male: 72.6%female: 72.7%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Hondurasconventional short form: Honduraslocal long form: Republica de Honduraslocal short form: Honduras
Data code: HO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular- departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan,Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca,Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, SantaBarbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Carlos RobertoREINA Idiaquez (since 27 January 1994) was elected for a four-yearterm by a simple majority of the people; First Vice PresidentGeneral (Ret.) Walter LOPEZ; Second Vice President Juan DE LA CRUZAvelar; Third Vice President Guadeloupe JEREZANO; election last held28 November 1993 (next to be held November 1997); results - CarlosRoberto REINA Idiaquez (PLH) 53%, Oswaldo RAMOS Soto (PNH) 41%,other 6%cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held on 27November 1993 (next to be held November 1997); results - PNH 53%,PLH 41%, PDCH 1.0%, PINU-SD 2.5%, other 2.5%; seats - (134 total)PNH 55, PLH 77, PINU-SD 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJustica), judges are elected for four-year terms by the NationalAssembly
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PLH), Rafael PINEDAPonce, president; National Party of Honduras (PNH), Oswaldo RAMOSSoto, president; National Innovation and Unity Party (PINU), OlbanVALLADARES, president; Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), EfrainDIAZ Arrivillaga, president
Other political or pressure groups: National Association ofHonduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of Private Enterprise(COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH); National Union ofCampesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT); UnitedFederation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense ofHuman Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of PopularOrganizations (CCOP)
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto FLORES Bermudez chancery: 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702, 2604, 5008, 4596 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William T. PRYCE embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 36-9320, 38-5114 FAX: [504] 36-9037
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, employs nearly two-thirds of the labor force and produces two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Manufacturing, still in its early stages, employs about 9% of the labor force, and generates 20% of exports. Many basic problems face the economy, including rapid population growth, high unemployment, inflation, a lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public sector, and the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and bananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching reform program, initiated by former President CALLEJAS in 1990 and scaled back by President REINA, is beginning to take hold.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,980 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 20% services: 50% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.3 million by occupation: agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%, other 6% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 10%; underemployed 30%-40% (1992)
Budget:revenues: $527 millionexpenditures: $668 million, including capital expenditures of $166million (1993 est.)
Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1992 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 290,000 kW production: 2.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 445 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp;
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics; illicit producerof cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally forlocal consumption
Exports: $843 million (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumberpartners: US 53%, Germany 11%, Belgium 8%, UK 5%
Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f. 1994) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs partners: US 50%, Mexico 8%, Guatemala 6%
External debt: $3.7 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 - 10.3432 (December 1994), 10.3432 (1995), 9.4001 (1994), 7.2600 (1993), 5.8300 (1992), 5.4000 (1991); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 595 kmnarrow gauge: 190 km 1.067-m gauge; 128 km 1.057-m gauge; 277 km0.914-m gaugenote: in 1993, there was a total of 988 km of track (1995)
Highways: total: 14,203 km paved: 2,533 km unpaved: 11,670 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft
Ports: La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo,Tela, Puerto Lempira
Merchant marine:total: 257 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 769,518 GRT/1,148,423DWTships by type: bulk 29, cargo 165, chemical tanker 2, combinationbulk 1, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 3,oil tanker 19, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated cargo16, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 2, vehicle carrier1note: a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 8 ships, Vietnam4, North Korea 2, Greece 1, Japan 1, US 1, Iran 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 111with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5with paved runways under 914 m: 79with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 105,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: inadequate systemdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (AtlanticOcean); connected to Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 176, FM 0, shortwave 7
Radios: 2.115 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, PublicSecurity Forces (FUSEP)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,322,525 males fit for military service: 787,889 males reach military age (18) annually: 64,378 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $41 million, about 0.4% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Hong Kong ————-
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 22 15 N, 114 10 E — Eastern Asia, bordering the SouthChina Sea and China
Flag ——
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 1,040 sq kmland area: 990 sq kmcomparative area: six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 30 km border country: China 30 km
Coastline: 733 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use:arable land: 7%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 1%forest and woodland: 12%other: 79%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: air and water pollution from rapid urbanizationnatural hazards: occasional typhoonsinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: more than 200 islands
People ———
Population: 6,305,413 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (male 609,493; female 593,687)15-64 years: 70% (male 2,312,141; female 2,094,156)65 years and over: 11% (male 307,186; female 388,750) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 1.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.23 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.19 years male: 78.88 years female: 85.71 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, other 5%
Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)total population: 92.2%male: 96%female: 88.2%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Hong Kong abbreviation: HK
Data code: HK
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China on 1 July 1997
Capital: Victoria
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with China on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Law approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functional constituencies
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6February 1952) is a hereditary monarchhead of government: Governor and President of the Executive CouncilChristopher Francis PATTEN (since 9 July 1992) was appointed by theQueen; Chief Secretary Anson CHAN Fang On-Sang (since 29 November1993)cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the Governor
Legislative branch: unicameralLegislative Council: indirect and direct elections last held 17September 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (60 total, 30 indirectly elected by functionalconstituencies, 20 directly elected, 10 elected by electioncommittee) Democratic Party 21, Liberal Party 10, DemocraticAlliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 6, other parties andindependents 23
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Martin LEE, chairman; Liberal Party, Allen LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing, chairman; Hong Kong Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Association for Democracy andPeople's Livelihood (ADPL), Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman;Liberal Democratic Federation, HU Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation ofTrade Unions (pro-China), LEE Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong andKowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of TradeUnions (pro-democracy), LEE Cheuk-yan, chairman; Hong Kong GeneralChamber of Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce(pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong Industries; ChineseManufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong ProfessionalTeachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong, president; Hong Kong Alliance inSupport of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, Szeto WAH,chairman
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP(associate), ICFTU, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO(correspondent), WCL, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Consul General Richard W. MUELLERconsulate general(s): 26 Garden Road, Hong Kongmailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002telephone: [852] 2523-9011FAX: [852] 2845-1598
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered onthe outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield(bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing theUK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above theshield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or nontariff barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Manufacturing and construction account for about 18% of GDP. Goods and services exports account for about 50% of GDP. Real GDP growth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and picked up to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, 5.2% in 1993, 5.5% in 1994, and 5.0% in 1995. Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s, edged up from 2% to 3.5% in 1995. Notwithstanding, a shortage of labor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of living. Prospects for 1996 remain bright so long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous and so long as investors feel China will support free market practices after the takeover in 1997.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $152.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $27,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 0.2% industry: 18.4% services: 81.4% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.4% (1995)
Labor force: 2,915,400 (1994) by occupation: manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $19 billionexpenditures: $14.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $289million (FY94/95)
Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics,toys, watches, clocks
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1993 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 8,930,000 kW production: 33 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,628 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fresh vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and money-laundering center; increasing indigenous amphetamine abuse
Exports: $177.1 billion (including re-exports)(f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear,electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toyspartners: China 33%, US 22%, Germany 5%, Japan 5%, UK 3% (1993)
Imports: $195.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995)commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials,semimanufactures, petroleum; a large share is re-exportedpartners: China 38%, Japan 17%, Taiwan 9%, US 7% (1993)
External debt: none (1995)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1995), 7.800 (1994), 7.800 (1993), 7.741 (1992), 7.771 (1991); note - linked to the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 35 km standard gauge: 35 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways: total: 1,661 km paved: 1,661 km unpaved: 0 km (1994 est.)
Ports: Hong Kong
Merchant marine:total: 238 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,632,224GRT/14,820,657 DWTships by type: bulk 129, cargo 32, chemical tanker 1, combinationbulk 4, combination ore/oil 3, container 39, liquefied gas tanker 3,multifunction large load carrier 1, oil tanker 17, refrigeratedcargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 3note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 17countries among which are UK 51, China 11, Belgium 8, South Africa8, US 8, Japan 7, Bermuda 6, Switzerland 6, Germany 3, and Israel 3(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 2with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)note: new international airport to be commissioned in 1997/98
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 4.13 million (1995 est.)
Telephone system: modern facilities provide excellent domestic andinternational servicesdomestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-opticnetworkinternational: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 PacificOcean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; accessto 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEANmember nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and WesternEurope
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (British Broadcasting Corporation repeater 1; British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater 1)
Televisions: 1.75 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Headquarters of British Forces, Army, Royal Navy, RoyalAir Force, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong KongPolice Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,895,535 males fit for military service: 1,442,072 males reach military age (18) annually: 46,248 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $207 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY92/93); this represents 65% of the total cost of defending the colony, the remainder being paid by the UK
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK until 1 July 1997, when China will assume command
======================================================================
@Howland Island ———————
(territory of the US)
Map —-
Location: 0 48 N, 176 38 W — Oceania, island in the North PacificOcean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Flag ——
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, aboutone-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 1.6 sq kmland area: 1.6 sq kmcomparative area: about three times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6.4 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 5%other: 95%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:current issues: no natural fresh water resourcesnatural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island canbe a maritime hazardinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats
People ———
Population: uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island
Data code: HQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boatlanding area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refuelingstop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan- they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seenagain; the airstrip is no longer serviceable
Transportation note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middleof the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II,but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix AmeliaEarhart
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visitedannually by the US Coast Guard
======================================================================
@Hungary ———-
Map —-
Location: 47 00 N, 20 00 E — Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, andgreen
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 93,030 sq kmland area: 92,340 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 2,009 kmborder countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km,Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils
Land use:arable land: 51%permanent crops: 6%meadows and pastures: 13%forest and woodland: 18%other: 12%
Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: an early-1996 government study identified 179 areasthat suffer from air pollution, 54 areas with polluted soil, and 32areas with polluted underground water; the study estimated clean-upcosts at $350 million, but the 1996 government budget allocates onlyabout $7 million for this purposeinternational 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, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but notratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
People ———
Population: 10,002,541 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 907,963; female 867,536)15-64 years: 68% (male 3,325,529; female 3,464,588)65 years and over: 14% (male 538,106; female 898,819) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: -0.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.72 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 15.06 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.48 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: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.91 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.02 years male: 64.23 years female: 74.04 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic divisions: Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%,Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%,atheist and other 7.5%
Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 99%male: 99%female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Hungaryconventional short form: Hungarylocal long form: Magyar Koztarsasaglocal short form: Magyarorszag
Data code: HU
Type of government: republic
Capital: Budapest
Administrative divisions: 38 counties (megyek, singular - megye)and 1 capital city* (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes,Bekescsaba, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad, Debrecen,Dunaujvaros, Eger, Fejer, Gyor, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar,Heves, Hodmezovasarhely, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar, Kecskemet,Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs,Pest, Somogy, Sopron, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged,Szekesfehervar, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Tolna, Vas,Veszprem, Zala, Zalaegerszeg
Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday: St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the founding of Hungarian state circa 1000 AD)
Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight
Legal system: in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990;previously interim president from 2 May 1990) was elected for afour-year term by the National Assembly; election last held 19 June1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President GONCZ elected byparliamentary vote with a total of 259 votes out of 335head of government: Prime Minister Gyula HORN (since 15 July 1994)was elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of thepresidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was elected by the National Assemblyon recommendation of the president
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Orszaggyules): elections last held on 8 and 29May 1994 (next to be held spring 1998); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (386 total) MSzP 209, SzDSz 70, MDF 37, FKgP 26,KDNP 22, FiDeSz 20, other 2
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by theNational Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), Lajos FUR, chairman; Independent Smallholders (FKgP), Jozsef TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP), Gyula HORN, president; Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), Gyorgy GICZY, president; Federation of Young Democrats (FiDeSz), Viktor ORBAN, chairman; Alliance of Free Democrats (SzDSz), Ivan PETO, chairman note: the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSzMP) renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP) in October 1989; there is still a small MMP
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG,OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WEU(associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Gyorgy BANLAKIchancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Donald M. BLINKENembassy: V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapestmailing address: Am Embassy, Unit 1320, APO AE 09213-1320telephone: [36] (1) 267-4400, 269-9331FAX: [36] (1) 269-9326
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Hungary, probably the most Western-oriented economy in East Europe before the transition to a market system began in 1990, made good progress in the initial years of transition. The reform process slowed in 1993-94, however, in part because of the May 1994 elections and the resulting change in government. By 1994 the privatization of state firms had ground to a halt, while both the budget and current account deficits soared to unsustainable levels - about 8% and 10% of GDP, respectively. The situation improved sharply in 1995; an austerity program introduced in March reduced both deficits, and a renewed privatization effort later in 1995 resulted in more than $3 billion worth of sales of state firms to foreign investors - money that will be used to reduce Hungary's large foreign debt. As for other macroeconomic developments, real GDP increased 2.9% in 1994 - following several years of steep decline - and about 1.5% in 1995. Unemployment reached 14% in early 1993 before gradually falling back to 10% in 1995. Inflation has oscillated; it reached 40% in mid-1991, dropped to 17% in early 1994, and then jumped back to 31% by mid-1995. Prospects for 1996 are good. With the government still committed to austerity, both the budget and current account deficits should fall to about 4% of GDP. Economic growth is expected to be about 2% and unemployment at about 10%, with inflation falling to 20% by yearend. In March 1996 the IMF signed a new standby loan agreement with Budapest, and the OECD approved Hungary's application for admission.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $72.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1995)
GDP per capita: $7,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 7.3% industry: 37.5% services: 55.2%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28.3% (1995)
Labor force: 4.8 million (1995) by occupation: services, trade, government, and other 47.2%, industry 29.7%, agriculture 16.1%, construction 7.0% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 10.4% (yearend 1995)
Budget:revenues: $12.6 billionexpenditures: $13.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995)
Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 6,740,000 kW production: 31 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,012 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asianheroin and transit point for South American cocaine destined forWestern Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals
Exports: $13 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: raw materials and semi-finished goods 36.4%, consumergoods 26.7%, food and agriculture 20.5%, capital goods 13.1%, fuelsand energy 3.3% (1994)partners: Germany 28.2%, Austria 10.9%, Italy 8.5%, Russia 7.5%, US4.0% (1994)
Imports: $15 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: fuels and energy 11.0%, raw materials and semi-finishedgoods 36.9%, capital goods 23.3%, consumer goods 22.0%, food andagriculture 6.8% (1994)partners: Germany 23.4%, Austria 12.0%, Russia 12.0%, Italy 7.0%, UK4.0% (1994)
External debt: $32.7 billion (October 1995)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $136 million (1993)note: assistance received from OECD countries and internationalorganizations, $3,700 million (1990-93)
Currency: 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler
Exchange rates: forints per US$1 - 144 (January 1996), 125.681 (1995),105.160 (1994), 91.933 (1993), 78.988 (1992), 74.735 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 7,685 kmbroad gauge: 35 km 1.524-m gaugestandard gauge: 7,474 km 1.435-m gauge (2,162 km electrified; 1,236km double track)narrow gauge: 176 km mostly 0.760-m gauge (1995)note: Hungry and Austria jointly manage the cross-borderstandard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurti, and Vasut, adistance of about 100 km
Highways:total: 158,711 kmpaved: 69,992 km (including 441 km of expressways)unpaved: 88,719 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,622 km (1988)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)
Ports: Budapest, Dunaujvaros
Merchant marine:total: 10 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 46,121 GRT/61,613DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 78with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4with paved runways under 914 m: 1with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14with unpaved runways under 914 m: 34 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1.52 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: 14,213 telex lines; automatic telephone networkbased on microwave radio relay system; 608,000 telephones on order;12-15 year wait for a telephone; 49% of all telephones are inBudapest (1991 est.); note - the former state-ownedtelecommunications firm MATAV - now privatized and managed by aUS/German consortium - has ambitious plans to upgrade the inadequatesystem, including a contract with the German firm Siemens and theSwedish firm Ericsson to provide 600,000 new phone lines during1996-98domestic: microwave radio relayinternational: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat and 1Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 32, FM 15, shortwave 0
Radios: 6 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 41 (Russian repeaters 8)
Televisions: 4.38 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard,Territorial Defense
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,552,794 males fit for military service: 2,036,399 males reach military age (18) annually: 82,040 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $620 million, 1.7% of GDP (1995)
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@Iceland ———-
Map —-
Location: 65 00 N, 18 00 W — Northern Europe, island between theGreenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Flag ——
Description: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea andthe North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:total area: 103,000 sq kmland area: 100,250 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,988 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 20%forest and woodland: 1%other: 78%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequatewastewater treatmentnatural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activityinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but notratified - Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine LifeConservation
Geographic note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
People ———
Population: 270,292 (July 1996 est.)note: population data estimates based on average growth rate maydiffer slightly from official population data because of volatilemigration rates
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (male 33,605; female 31,933)15-64 years: 64% (male 88,064; female 85,724)65 years and over: 12% (male 13,916; female 17,050) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.83% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.5 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: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.08 years male: 77.68 years female: 82.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic divisions: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegiansand Celts
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and RomanCatholic 3%, none 1% (1988)
Languages: Icelandic
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)total population: 100%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Icelandconventional short form: Icelandlocal long form: Lyoveldio Islandlocal short form: Island
Data code: IC
Type of government: republic
Capital: Reykjavik
Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla)and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur);Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla,Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*,Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*,Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla,Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*,Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*,Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla,Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla,Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla,Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla
Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of theRepublic, 17 June (1944)
Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August1980) was elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage;election last held 29 June 1988 (next to be held June 1996); results- there was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIRwas unopposedhead of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April1991) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Althing): elections last held on 8 April 1995 (next to be held by April 1999); results - Independence Party 37.1%, Progressive Party 23.3%, Social Democratic Party 11.4%, Socialists 14.3%, People's Movement 7.2%, Women's Party 4.9%; seats - (63 total) Independence 25, Progressive 15, Social Democratic 7, Socialists 9, People's Movement 4, Women's Party 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Haestirettur), justices areappointed for life by the president
Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative),David ODDSSON; Progressive Party (liberal), Halldor ASGRIMSSON;Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON; People's Alliance(left socialist), Margret FRIMANNSDOTTIR; Women's Party, KristinASTGEIRSDOTTIR; People's Movement (centrist); National Awakening(People's Revival Party), Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Einar BENEDIKTSSONchancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 through 6655FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656consulate(s) general: New York