International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly flat lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Summit Peak 5 m
Natural resources: NA; guano deposits worked until depletion about1890
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: no natural fresh water resourcesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; closed to the public; former nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation
People ———
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 1,200 USmilitary and civilian contractor personnel (July 1996 est.)
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Johnston Atoll
Data code: JQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Capital: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity: supplied by the management and operations contractor
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Johnston Island
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: 52 telephone lines; excellent system domestic: 60-channel submarine cable, 22 DSN circuits by satellite, Autodin with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite, and amateur radio international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 5, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Jordan ———
Map —-
Location: 31 00 N, 36 00 E — Middle East, northwest of SaudiArabia
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and green with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the star represent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran
Geography ————-
Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 89,213 sq kmland area: 88,884 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 1,619 kmborder countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km,Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Coastline: 26 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November toApril)
Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,754 m
Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 0.5%meadows and pastures: 1%forest and woodland: 0.5%other: 94%
Irrigated land: 570 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: limited natural fresh water resources;deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Desertification, Law of the Sea
People ———
Population: 4,212,152 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 949,822; female 903,043)15-64 years: 53% (male 1,153,360; female 1,091,416)65 years and over: 3% (male 57,783; female 56,728) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.65% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 36.67 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.48 years male: 70.62 years female: 74.45 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian
Ethnic divisions: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 8%
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood amongupper and middle classes
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 86.6%male: 93.4%female: 79.4%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordanconventional short form: Jordanlocal long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyahlocal short form: Al Urdunformer: Transjordan
Data code: JO
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Amman
Administrative divisions: 8 governorates (muhafazat, singular -muhafazah); Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, AzZarqa', Irbid, Ma'an
Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate underBritish administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
Constitution: 8 January 1952
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King HUSSEIN Bin Talal Al Hashimi (since 2 May 1953)is a constitutional monarchhead of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Karim al-KABARITI (since 4February 1996) was appointed by the kingcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-'Umma) House of Notables (Majlis al-A'ayan): consists of a 40-member body appointed by the king from designated categories of public figures House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (80 total) IAF 16, Jordanian National Alliance Party 4, Al-Yaqazah Party 2, Al-Watan Party 2, Al-'Ahd Party 2, Jordanian Arab Democratic Party 2, Al-Mustaqbal Party 1, Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'th Party 1, Jordanian Democratic Progressive Party 1, Jordanian People's Democratic Party-Hashd 1, Jordanian Socialist Democratic Party 1, independents 47 note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the king several times since 1974; in November 1989 the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation
Political parties and leaders: Al-'Ahd (Pledge) Party, 'Abd al-Hadi al-MAJALI, secretary general; Al-Ahrar (Liberals) Party, Ahmad al-ZU'BI, secretary general; Al-Taqaddumi (Progressive) Party, Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general; Al-Watan (Homeland) Party, 'Akif al-FAYIZ; Al-Yaqazah (Awakening) Party, 'Abd al-Ra'uf al-RAWABIDAH, secretary general; Constitutional Jordanian Arab Front Party, Milhim al-TALL; Democratic Arab Islamic Movement Party-Du'a', Yusuf Abu BAKR, secretary general; Democratic Arab Unionist Party-Wad, Anis al-MU'ASHIR, secretary general; Islamic Action Front (IAF), Ishaq al-FARHAN, secretary general; Jordanian Arab Masses Party, 'Abd al-Khaliq SHATAT, secretary general; Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'th Party, Taysir al-HIMSI, command first secretary; Jordanian Communist Party (JCP), Ya'qub ZAYADIN, secretary general; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party, 'Azmi al-KHAWAJA, secretary general; Jordanian National Alliance Party, Mijhim al-KHURAYSHAH, secretary general; Jordanian People's Democratic Party-Hashd, Salim al-NAHHAS, secretary general; Jordanian Unionist Democratic Party, 'Isa MADANAT (secretary general), Ali AMIR (secretary general), Munis al-RAZZAZ (secretary general); Pan-Arab Action Front Party, Muhammad al-ZU'BI, secretary general; Popular Unity Party-the Unionists, Mustafa AL-'ISAWI, secretary general; Progress and Justice Party, 'Ali al-SA'D, secretary general; Progressive Arab Ba'th Party, Mahmud al-MA'AYITAH, command secretary; Al-Mustaqbal (Future) Party, Sulayman 'ARAR, secretary general; Jordanian Arab Partisans Party, Muhammad al-MAJALI, leader, Muhammad SHURAYDAH, secretary general note: in 1995, the Jordanian Arab Democratic Party, the Jordanian Democratic Progressive Party, and the Jordanian Socialist Democratic Party merged to form the Jordanian Unionist Democratic Party
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL,AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAMIR,UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNMOT, UNOMIG,UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fayiz A. TARAWNEH chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Wesley W. EGAN, Jr. embassy: Jabel Amman, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; APO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 820101 FAX: [962] (6) 820159
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and green with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the star represent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil and coal. Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when its annual real GNP growth averaged more than 10%. In the remainder of the 1980s, however, reductions in both Arab aid and worker remittances slowed real economic growth to an average of roughly 2% per year. Imports - mainly oil, capital goods, consumer durables, and food - outstripped exports, with the difference covered by aid, remittances, and borrowing. In mid-1989, the Jordanian Government began debt-rescheduling negotiations and agreed to implement an IMF-supported program designed to gradually reduce the budget deficit and implement badly needed structural reforms. The Persian Gulf crisis that began in August 1990, however, aggravated Jordan's already serious economic problems, forcing the government to shelve the IMF program, stop most debt payments, and suspend rescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states, worker remittances, and trade contracted; and refugees flooded the country, producing serious balance-of-payments problems, stunting GDP growth, and straining government resources. The economy rebounded in 1992, largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers returning from the Gulf, but the recovery was uneven throughout 1994 and 1995. The government is implementing the reform program adopted in 1992 and continues to secure rescheduling and write-offs of its heavy foreign debt. Debt, poverty, and unemployment remain Jordan's biggest on-going problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $19.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 25% services: 64% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 600,000 (1992) by occupation: industry 11.4%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 10.5%, construction 10.0%, transport and communications 8.7%, agriculture 7.4%, other services 52.0% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.5 billionexpenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $640million (1996 est.)
Industries: phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash,light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 1,050,000 kW production: 4.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,072 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives;sheep, goats, poultry
Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products,manufacturespartners: India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, EU, Indonesia, UAE
Imports: $3.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, liveanimals, manufactured goodspartners: EU, US, Iraq, Japan, Turkey
External debt: $6.9 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $238 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7090 (January 1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 676 kmnarrow gauge: 676 km 1.050-m gauge; note - an additional 110 kmstretch of the old Hedjaz railroad is out of use
Highways:total: 5,680 kmpaved: 5,680 km (including 1,712 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (1991 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 209 km
Ports: Al'Aqabah
Merchant marine:total: 3 bulk ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 41,960 GRT/67,515DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 14with paved runways over 3 047 m: 10with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 81,500 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: adequate telephone system domestic: microwave radio relay, cable, and radiotelephone links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria; microwave radio relay to Lebanon is inactive; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8 and 1 TV receive-only satellite link
Televisions: 350,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF; includes Royal JordanianLand Force, Royal Naval Force, and Royal Jordanian Air Force);Ministry of the Interior's Public Security Force (falls under JAFonly in wartime or crisis situations)
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 1,011,588males fit for military service: 721,460males reach military age (18) annually: 45,406 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $589 million,8.2% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Juan de Nova Island —————————-
(possession of France)
Map —-
Location: 17 03 S, 42 45 E — Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Flag ——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, aboutone-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 4.4 sq kmland area: 4.4 sq kmcomparative area: about seven times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24.1 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth the of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 10 m
Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 90%other: 10%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: periodic cyclones international agreements: NA
Geographic note: wildlife sanctuary
People ———
Population: uninhabited
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Juan de Nova
Data code: JU
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: NA km; short line going to a jetty
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Kazakstan ————-
Map —-
Location: 48 00 N, 68 00 E — Central Asia, northwest of China
Flag ——
Description: sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in yellow
Geography ————-
Location: Central Asia, northwest of China
Geographic coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:total area: 2,717,300 sq kmland area: 2,669,800 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 12,012 kmborder countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) note: Kazakstan borders the Aral Sea (1,015 km) and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yetdetermined
Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid andsemiarid
Terrain: extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oasis and desert in Central Asia lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Zhengis Shingy 7,439 m
Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium
Land use:arable land: 15%permanent crops: NEGL%meadows and pastures: 57%forest and woodland: 4%other: 24%
Irrigated land: 23,080 sq km (1990)
Environment:current issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated withits former defense industries and test ranges are found throughoutthe country and pose health risks for humans and animals; industrialpollution is severe in some cities; because the two main riverswhich flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, itis drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemicalpesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up bythe wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in theCaspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicalsand salinization from faulty irrigation practicesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 16,916,463 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30% (male 2,576,204; female 2,486,937)15-64 years: 63% (male 5,203,035; female 5,451,404)65 years and over: 7% (male 384,341; female 814,542) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 19.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.88 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: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.93 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 63.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.09 years male: 58.56 years female: 69.9 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Kazakstani(s)adjective: Kazakstani
Ethnic divisions: Kazak (Qazaq) 41.9%, Russian 37%, Ukrainian5.2%, German 4.7%, Uzbek 2.1%, Tatar 2%, other 7.1% (1991 officialdata)
Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other7%
Languages: Kazak (Qazaqz) official language spoken by over 40% ofpopulation, Russian (language of interethnic communication) spokenby two-thirds of population and used in everyday business
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)total population: 98%male: 99%female: 96%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Kazakstanconventional short form: Kazakstanlocal long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasylocal short form: noneformer: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Almaty
Administrative divisions: 19 oblystar (singular - oblys) and 1city (qalalar, singular - qala)*; Almaty Qalasy*, Almaty Oblysy,Aqmola Oblysy, Aqtobe Oblysy, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy(Oral), Kokshetau Oblysy, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), OngtustikQazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy,Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Semey Oblysy, Shyghys QazaqstanOblysy (Oskemen; formerly Ust'-Kamenogorsk), Soltustik QazaqstanOblysy (Petropavl), Taldyqorghan Oblysy, Torghay Oblysy, ZhambylOblysy, Zhezqazghan Oblysynote: names in parentheses are administrative centers when namediffers from oblys name
Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991)
Constitution: adopted 28 January 1993; has been amended in April 1995 and August 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (since 22 February1990) was elected chairman of the Supreme Soviet 22 February 1990,and president by popular election 1 December 1991; was elected for afive-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 1 December1991 (next to be held NA 2000); results - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEVran unopposed; note - President NAZARBAYEV's term was extended tothe year 2000 by a nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995head of government: Prime Minister Akezhan KAZHEGELDIN (since 12October 1994) and First Deputy Prime Ministers Nigmatzhan ISINGARIN(since 12 October 1994) were appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime ministernote: President NAZARBAYEV has expanded his presidential powers bydecree: only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint anddismiss the government, dissolve parliament, call referenda at hisdiscretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and cities
Legislative branch: bicameral ParliamentSenate: elections (indirect) last held 5 December 1995 (next to beheld NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47total) "independent" state officials 25, progovernment parties 11,other parties 2, vacant 9 (of which 7 are to be nominated by thepresident)Majilis: elections last held 9 December and 23 December 1995 (nextto be held NA); percent of vote by party NA; seats - (67 total)seats by party NA; note - 172 candidates were forwarded by partiesand social organizations and 113 candidates were independents
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: ALASH party; People's Unity Party(PUP; was Union of People's Unity), Akhan BIZHANOV, chairman;Democratic Party, Tulegen ZHUKEYEV and Altynbek SARSENBAYEV,cochairmen; People's Congress of Kazakstan (PCK), Olzhas SULEYMENOV,chairman; Socialist Party of Kazakstan (SPK; former CommunistParty), Petr SVOIK, chairman; Communist Party, Baidabek TULEPBAYEV;National Democratic Party, Kamal ORMANTAYEV, chairman; AZAT party,Khasen KOZH-AKHMET, chairman; Confederation of Trade Unions of theRepublic of Kazakstan; Peasant Union of the Republic Kazakstan(KPU); Slavic Movement LAD, Aleksandra DOKUCHAYEVA, chairman; Partyfor Social Justice and Economic Revival "Tagibat"; Social DemocraticParty, Dos KUSHIMOV, cochairman; People's Cooperative Party, UmirzakSARSENOV, chairman; Organization of Veterans; Republican Party
Other political or pressure groups: Independent Trade UnionCenter, Leonid SOLOMIN, president; Kazakstani-American Bureau onHuman Rights, Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director; DemocraticCommittee on Human Rights; Independent Miners Union
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD,ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Bolat NURGALIYEVchancery: (temporary) 3421 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC20008telephone: [1] (202) 333-4504 through 4507FAX: [1] (202) 333-4509
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador A. Elizabeth JONESembassy: 99/97 Furmanova Street, Almaty, Republic of Kazakstan 480012mailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [7] (3272) 63-39-05, 63-13-75, 63-24-26FAX: [7] (3272) 63-29-42
Flag: sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in yellow
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Kazakstan, the second largest of the former Soviet states in territory, possesses enormous untapped fossil-fuel reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also has considerable agricultural potential with its vast steppe lands accommodating both livestock and grain production. Kazakstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a relatively large machine building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the USSR and the collapse of demand for Kazakstan's traditional heavy industry products have resulted in a sharp contraction of the economy since 1991, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 1994. The government has pursued a moderate program of economic reform and privatization, resulting in a gradual lifting of state controls over economic activity and a shifting of assets into the private sector. Nevertheless, government control over key sectors of the economy remains strong. Moreover, continued lack of pipeline transportation for expanded oil exports has closed off a likely source of economic recovery.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $46.9 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -8.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 28.5% industry: 41.5% services: 30% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 7.356 millionby occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture andforestry 26%, other 43% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 1.4% includes only officially registeredunemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers (September1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials; much of industrial capacity is shut down and/or is in need of repair
Industrial production growth rate: -8% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 17,380,000 kW production: 65.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,700 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture: grain, mostly spring wheat, cotton; wool, meat
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy;mostly for CIS consumption; government eradication program; used astransshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and NorthAmerica from Southwest Asia
Exports: $5.1 billion (1995)commodities: oil, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, grain,wool, meat, coalpartners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Imports: $3.9 billion (1995) commodities: machinery and parts, industrial materials, oil and gas partners: Russia and other former Soviet republics, China
External debt: $2.5 billion (of which $1.3 billion to Russia)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)note: commitments, 1992-95, $4,780 million ($1,795 milliondisbursements)
Currency: national currency, the tenge, introduced on 15 November1993
Exchange rates: tenges per US$1 - 64 (yearend 1995), 54 (yearend1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 13,841 km in common carrier service; does not includeindustrial linesbroad gauge: 13,841 km 1.520-m gauge (3,299 km electrified) (1992)
Highways:total: 87,873 km public roadspaved: 82,568 kmunpaved: 5,305 km (1994)
Waterways: 4,002 km on the Syrdariya River and Ertis River
Pipelines: crude oil 2,850 km; refined products 1,500 km; naturalgas 3,480 km (1992)
Ports: Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen(Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)
Airports:total: 352with paved runways over 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 23with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5with paved runways under 914 m: 9with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 9with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 65with unpaved runways under 914 m: 190 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2.2 million
Telephone system: service is poor domestic: landline and microwave radio relay international: international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and through 8 international telecommunications circuits at the Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat and a new satellite earth station established at Almaty of unknown type
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: 4.088 million (with multiple speakers for programdiffusion 6.082 million)
Television broadcast stations: NA; Orbita (TV receive only) earthstation
Televisions: 4.75 million
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard,Security Forces (internal and border troops); Kazakstan may also beestablishing a maritime force - navy or coast guard - on the CaspianSea
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: 4,399,356males fit for military service: 3,516,583males reach military age (18) annually: 154,750 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 18.9 billion tenges, NA% of GDP (1995); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Kenya ——-
Map —-
Location: 1 00 N, 38 00 E — Eastern Africa, bordering the IndianOcean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, betweenSomalia and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 582,650 sq kmland area: 569,250 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land boundaries:total: 3,446 kmborder countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km,Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline: 536 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes,rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 7%forest and woodland: 4%other: 85%
Irrigated land: 520 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes;degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides andfertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poachingnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value
People ———
Population: 28,176,686 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 6,362,160; female 6,226,333)15-64 years: 53% (male 7,413,876; female 7,448,733)65 years and over: 2% (male 328,649; female 396,935) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 55.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.61 years male: 55.53 years female: 55.69 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan
Ethnic divisions: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%,Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, Asian, European, and Arab 1%, other 15%
Religions: Protestant (including Anglican) 38%, Roman Catholic28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, other 8%
Languages: English (official), Swahili (official), numerousindigenous languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 78.1%male: 86.3%female: 70%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya former: British East Africa
Data code: KE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Nairobi
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast,Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western
Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963)
Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992
Legal system: based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Daniel Toroiticharap MOI (since 14 October 1978) elected for a five-year term fromthe National Assembly by direct popular vote; election last held 29December 1992 (next to be held by early 1998); results - PresidentDaniel T. arap MOI was reelected with 37% of the vote; KennethMATIBA (FORD-ASILI) 26%; Mwai KIBAKI (DP) 19%, Oginga ODINGA(FORD-Kenya) 17%; Vice President George SAITOTI (since 10 May 1989)was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Bunge): election last held 29 December 1992 (nextto be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (188total) KANU 100, FORD-Kenya 31, FORD-Asili 31, DP 23, smallerparties 3; president nominates 12 additional members; note - as of 9April 1996 seat distribution was: KANU 106, FORD-Kenya 32,FORD-Asili 22, DP 22, smaller parties and vacancies 6note: first multiparty election since repeal of one-party state lawin 1991
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: ruling party is Kenya AfricanNational Union (KANU), President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI;opposition parties include Forum for the Restoration of Democracy(FORD-Kenya), Michael WAMALWA; Forum for the Restoration ofDemocracy (FORD-Asili), Kenneth MATIBA; Democratic Party of Kenya(DP), Mwai KIBAKI
Other political or pressure groups: labor unions; Roman CatholicChurch; unregistered SAFINA party with which prominent naturalistRichard Leakey is associated
International organization participation: ACP, C, CCC, EADB, ECA,FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Benjamin Edgar KIPKORIRchancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia E. BRAZEALembassy: corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobimailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831telephone: [254] (2) 334141FAX: [254] (2) 340838
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Kenya in recent years has had one of the highest natural rates of growth in population, but the statistics have been complicated by the large-scale movement of nomadic groups and of Somalis back and forth across the border. Population growth has been accompanied by deforestation, deterioration in the road system, the water supply, and other parts of the infrastructure. In industry and services, Nairobi's reluctance to embrace IMF-supported reforms had held back investment and growth in 1991-93. Nairobi's push on economic reform in 1994, however, helped support a 3.3% increase in output. The strong economy continued into 1995 with inflation cut sharply and GDP growth at 5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $36.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 19% services: 54% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force:by occupation: agriculture 75%-80% (1993 est.), non-agriculture20%-25% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35% urban (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.4 billionexpenditures: $2.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $740million (1990 est.)
Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural processing; oil refining, cement; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 810,000 kW production: 3.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 117 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, tea, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs
Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small, wild plots of marijuana and qat (chat); most locally consumed; transit country for Southwest Asian heroin moving to West Africa and onward to Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: tea 25%, coffee 18%, petroleum products 11% (1990) partners: EC 47%, Africa 23%, Asia 11%, US 4%, Middle East 3% (1991)
Imports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 29%, petroleum and petroleum products 15%, iron and steel 7%, raw materials, food and consumer goods (1989) partners: EC 46%, Asia 23%, Middle East 20%, US 5% (1991)
External debt: $7 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $589 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1 - 56.715 (January 1996), 51.430 (1995), 56.051 (1994), 58.001 (1993), 32.217 (1992), 27.508 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 2,652 km narrow gauge: 2,652 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 62,573 km paved: 8,322 km unpaved: 54,251 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of ======================================================================
@Kingman Reef ——————
(territory of the US)
Map —-
Location: 6 24 N, 162 24 W — Oceania, reef in the North PacificOcean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Flag ——
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-halfof the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 6 24 N, 162 24 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 1 sq kmland area: 1 sq kmcomparative area: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds
Terrain: low and nearly level lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 1 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: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation ofabout 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazardinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon;closed to the public
People ———
Population: uninhabited
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Kingman Reef
Data code: KQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy; however, it is awash the majority of the time, so it is not usable and is uninhabited
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
Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Kiribati ————
Map —-
Location: 1 25 N, 173 00 E — Oceania, group of islands in thePacific Ocean, straddling the equator and the International DateLine, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Flag ——
Description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator and the International Date Line, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 717 sq kmland area: 717 sq kmcomparative area: four times the size of Washington, DCnote: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,Phoenix Islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,143 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensivereefslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m
Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 51%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 3%other: 46%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll dueto heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoonlatrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risknatural hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually Novemberto March; occasional tornadoesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
Geographic note: 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia and Nauru
People ———
Population: 80,919 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.89% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female