Infant mortality rate: 52.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.02 years male: 60.25 years female: 64.03 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)adjective: I-Kiribati
Ethnic divisions: Micronesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 52.6%, Protestant (Congregational) 40.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha'i, Church of God, Mormon 6% (1985)
Languages: English (official), Gilbertese
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati note: pronounced kiribas former: Gilbert Islands
Data code: KR
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tarawa
Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,Phoenix Islandsnote: in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts,Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21island councils (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru,Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei,Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa,Teraina; note - one council for each of the inhabited islands)
Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
Constitution: 12 July 1979
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President (Beretitenti)Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994) was elected by popular vote;note - the House of Assembly chooses the presidential candidatesfrom among their members and then those candidates compete in ageneral election; election last held 30 September 1994 (next to beheld by NA 1999); results - Teburoro TITO 51.2%, Tewareka TENTOA18.3%, Roniti TEIWAKI 16.0%, Peter Taberannang TIMEON 14.5%; VicePresident (Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti) Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October1994) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from among themembers of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameralHouse of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu): elections last held 22July 1994 (next to be held by NA 1999); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (40 total, 39 elected) Maneaban Te Mauri 13,National Progressive Party 7, independents 19
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges at all levels areappointed by the president; High Court, judges at all levels areappointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party, TeataoTEANNAKI; Christian Democratic Party, Teburoro TITO; New MovementParty, leader NA; Liberal Party, Tewareka TENTOA; Maneaban Te MauriParty, Roniti TEIWAKInote: there is no tradition of formally organized political partiesin Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groupsbecause they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or partystructures
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),Interpol, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Kiribati does not have an embassyin the US
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy inKiribati; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati
Flag: 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
Economy ———-
Economic overview: A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few national resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Real GDP growth has declined from about 10% in 1988 to about 2.6% in 1995. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The financial sector is at an early stage of development. Foreign financial aid, largely from the UK and Japan, is a critical supplement to GDP, equal in amount to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $68 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $860 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $32.5 millionexpenditures: $54.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: fishing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (1992 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 5,000 kW production: 13 million kWh consumption per capita: 131 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish
Exports: $6.3 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: copra 50%, seaweed 16%, fish 15% partners: Denmark, Fiji, US
Imports: $38.6 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel partners: Australia 40%, Japan 18%, Fiji 17%, NZ 6%, US 4% (1991)
External debt: $2 million (December 1989 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991)
Fiscal year: NA
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 640 km (1987 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands
Ports: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton
Merchant marine:total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,248 GRT/4,496 DWTships by type: oil tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 20with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4with paved runways under 914 m: 5with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1,400 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 15,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 0 (1988 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: no regular military forces; Police Force (carries outlaw enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small policeposts are on all islands)
Manpower availability:males age 15-49: NAmales fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Korea, North ——————
Map —-
Location: 40 00 N, 127 00 E — Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total area: 120,540 sq kmland area: 120,410 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Mississippi
Land boundaries: total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km
Coastline: 2,495 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmmilitary boundary line: 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusiveeconomic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels andaircraft without permission are banned
International disputes: short section of boundary with China isindefinite; Demarcation Line with South Korea
Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m
Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
Land use:arable land: 18%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 74%other: 7%
Irrigated land: 14,000 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: localized air pollution attributable to inadequateindustrial controls; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potablewaternatural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severeflooding; occasional typhoons during the early fallinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ship Pollution; signed,but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea,Ozone Layer Protection
Geographic note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated, nearly inaccessible, and sparsely populated
People ———
Population: 23,904,124 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30% (male 3,605,972; female 3,465,038)15-64 years: 66% (male 7,871,783; female 7,956,935)65 years and over: 4% (male 355,284; female 649,112) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.74% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.86 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.32 years male: 67.23 years female: 73.57 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean
Ethnic divisions: racially homogeneous
Religions: Buddhism and Confucianism, some Christianity andsyncretic Chondogyonote: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent;government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion ofreligious freedom
Languages: Korean
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write Korean (1990 est.)total population: 99%male: 99%female: 99%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Koreaconventional short form: North Korealocal long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguklocal short form: nonenote: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer totheir countryabbreviation: DPRK
Data code: KN
Type of government: Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship
Capital: P'yongyang
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)and 3 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (ChagangProvince), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo(South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province),Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (KaesongCity), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City),P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (SouthP'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do(Yanggang Province)
Independence: 9 September 1948 note: 15 August 1945, date of independence from the Japanese and celebrated in North Korea as National Liberation Day
National holiday: DPRK Foundation Day, 9 September (1948)
Constitution: adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992
Legal system: based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: KIM Chong-il [defacto]; note - President KIM Il-songwas reelected without opposition 24 May 1990 and died 8 July 1994leaving his son KIM Chong-il as designated successor; however theson has not assumed the titles that his father held and no newelections have been held or scheduledhead of government: Premier KANG Song-san (since NA December 1992)was elected by the Supreme People's Assemblycabinet: State Administration Council was appointed by the SupremePeople's Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameralSupreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui): elections last held7-9 April 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (687 total) the KWP approves a single list ofcandidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold afew seats
Judicial branch: Central Court, judges are elected by the SupremePeople's Assembly
Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party(KWP), KIM Chong-il, secretary, Central Committee; Korean SocialDemocratic Party, KIM Pyong-sik, chairman; Chondoist Chongu Party,YU Mi-yong, chairwoman
International organization participation: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO,ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO, ITU,NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - North Korea has aPermanent Mission to the UN in New York, headed by PAK Kil-yon
US diplomatic representation: none
Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Economy ———-
Economic overview: More than 90% of this command economy is socialized; agricultural land is collectivized; and state-owned industry produces 95% of manufactured goods. State control of economic affairs is unusually tight even for a communist country because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the strict rule of KIM Il-song in the past and now his son, KIM Chong-il. Economic growth during the period 1984-88 averaged 2%-3%, but output declined by an average of 4%-5% annually during 1989-95 because of systemic problems and disruptions in socialist-style economic relations and technological links with the former USSR and China. The leadership has insisted on maintaining its high level of military outlays from a shrinking economic pie. Moreover, a serious drawdown in inventories and critical shortages in the energy sector have led to increasing interruptions in industrial production. Abundant mineral resources and hydropower have formed the basis of industrial development since World War II. Manufacturing is centered on heavy industry, including military industry, with light industry lagging far behind. Despite the use of improved seed varieties, expansion of irrigation, and the heavy use of fertilizers, North Korea has not yet become self-sufficient in food production. Indeed, a shortage of arable lands, several years of poor harvests, and a cumbersome distribution system have resulted in chronic food shortages. The year 1995 was marked by serious summer floods that worsened an already tenuous food situation. Substantial grain shipments from Japan and South Korea offset a portion of the losses. North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development and living standards.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $920 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 60% services: 15% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 9.615 million by occupation: agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $19.3 billionexpenditures: $19.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1992 est.)
Industries: military products; machine building, electric power,chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper,zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, foodprocessing
Industrial production growth rate: -7% to -9% (1992 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 9,500,000 kW production: 50 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,053 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
Exports: $840 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural andfishery products, manufactures (including armaments)partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia
Imports: $1.27 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum, grain, coking coal, machinery and equipment,consumer goodspartners: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Russia, Singapore
External debt: $8 billion (1992 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: small amounts of grant aid from Japan and other countries
Currency: 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon
Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 4,915 kmstandard gauge: 4,250 km 1.435-m gauge (3,397 km electrified; 159 kmdouble track)narrow gauge: 665 km 0.762-m gauge (1989)
Highways: total: 30,000 km paved: 4,500 km unpaved: 25,500 km
Waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only
Pipelines: crude oil 37 km
Ports: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong,Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang,Wonsan
Merchant marine:total: 88 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 712,480 GRT/1,140,923DWTships by type: bulk 9, cargo 71, combination bulk 1, oil tanker 3,passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1note: North Korea owns an additional 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling approximately 34,782 DWT operating under the registries ofHondurus and Poland (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 49with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 2with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12with unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 30,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: system is believed to be available principallyfor government businessdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)and 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region); other internationalconnections through Moscow and Beijing
Radio broadcast stations: AM 18, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.5 million
Television broadcast stations: 11
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force),Civil Security Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 6,844,035 males fit for military service: 4,143,713 males reach military age (18) annually: 194,922 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5 billion to $7 billion, 25% to 33% of GDP (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Korea, South ——————
Map —-
Location: 37 00 N, 127 30 E — Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, south of North Korea
Flag ——
Description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsulabordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, south of North Korea
Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total area: 98,480 sq kmland area: 98,190 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 238 km border country: North Korea 238 km
Coastline: 2,413 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm; 3 nm in the Korea Strait
International disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea;Liancourt Rocks claimed by Japan
Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in westand southlowest point: Sea of Japan 0 mhighest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead,hydropower
Land use:arable land: 21%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 1%forest and woodland: 67%other: 10%
Irrigated land: 13,530 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: air pollution in large cities; water pollution fromthe discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishingnatural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;earthquakes in southwestinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Lawof the Sea
People ———
Population: 45,482,291 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (male 5,531,032; female 4,962,915)15-64 years: 71% (male 16,374,678; female 15,910,846)65 years and over: 6% (male 1,014,649; female 1,688,171) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 1.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.14 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.26 years male: 69.65 years female: 77.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean
Ethnic divisions: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions: Christianity 48.6%, Buddhism 47.4%, Confucianism 3%, pervasive folk religion (shamanism), Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) 0.2%
Languages: Korean, English widely taught in high school
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 98%male: 99.3%female: 96.7%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Koreaconventional short form: South Korealocal long form: Taehan-min'guklocal short form: nonenote: the South Koreans generally use the term "Hanguk" to refer totheir countryabbreviation: ROK
Data code: KS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Seoul
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)and 6 special cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do,Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*,Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*
Independence: 15 August 1948
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948)
Constitution: 25 February 1988
Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President KIM Yong-sam (since 25 February 1993) waselected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1997); results - KIMYong-sam (DLP) 41.9%, KIM Tae-chung (DP) 33.8%, CHONG Chu-yong (UPP)16.3%, other 8%head of government: Prime Minister YI Su-song (since 15 December1995) was appointed by the president with the consent of theNational Assembly; Deputy Prime Ministers NA Ung-pae (since 20December 1995) and KWON O-ki (since 20 December 1995) were appointedby the president on the prime minister's recommendationcabinet: State Council was appointed by the president on the primeminister's recommendation
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Kukhoe): members elected for four-year terms; elections last held 11 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (299 total) NKP 139, NCNP 79, ULD 50, DP 15, independents 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the president subject to the consent of the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:majority party: New Korea Party (NKP), KIM Yong-sam, presidentopposition: United Liberal Democratic Party (ULD), KIM Chong-p'il,president; Democratic Party (DP), KIM Won-ki, co-chairman and CHANGUl-pyong, co-chairman; National Congress for New Politics (NCNP),KIM Tae-chung, president
Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council ofChurches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federationof Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers'Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of KoreanTrade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of KoreanIndustries; Korean Traders Association
International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC,CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,ITU, MINURSO, OAS (observer), OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador PAK Kun-uchancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600, 524-9273consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston,Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, SanFrancisco, and Seattle
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador James T. LANEYembassy: 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoulmailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-0001telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845consulate(s): Pusan
Flag: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in thecenter; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Economy ———-
Economic overview: As one of the Four Dragons of East Asia, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth. Three decades ago its GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is nine times India's, 14 times North Korea's, and already up with the lesser economies of the European Union. This success has been achieved by a unique combination of authoritarian government guidance of what is at bottom an essentially entrepreneurial process. The government has sponsored large-scale adoption of technology and management from Japan and other modern nations; has successfully pushed the development of export industries while encouraging the import of machinery and materials at the expense of consumer goods; and has pushed its labor force to a work effort seldom matched anywhere even in wartime. Real GDP grew by an average 10% in 1986-91, then paused to a "mere" 5% in 1992-93, only to move back up to 8% in 1994 and 9% in 1995. With a much higher standard of living and with a considerable easing of authoritarian controls, the work pace has softened. Growth rates will probably slow down over the medium term because of the exhaustion of former growth opportunities and the need to deal with pollution and the other problems of success.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $590.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9% (1995)
GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 45% services: 47% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 20 millionby occupation: services and other 52%, mining and manufacturing 27%,agriculture, fishing, forestry 21% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 2% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $69 billionexpenditures: $67 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: electronics, automobile production, chemicals,shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: 12.2% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 28,750,000 kW production: 165 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,899 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons, seventh largest in world
Exports: $125.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: electronic and electrical equipment, machinery, steel,automobiles, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fishpartners: US 19%, Japan 14%, EU 13%
Imports: $135.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995)commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil,steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grainspartners: Japan 24%, US 22%, EU 13%
External debt: $77 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical)
Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 787.27 (January 1996), 771.27 (1995), 803.45 (1994), 802.67 (1993), 780.65 (1992), 733.35 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 3,101 kmstandard gauge: 3,081 km 1.435-m gauge (560 km electrified)narrow gauge: 20 km 0.762-m gauge
Highways:total: 61,296 kmpaved: 51,918 km (including 1,550 km of expressways)unpaved: 9,378 km (1993)
Waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km
Ports: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, Pohang, Pusan,Ulsan, Yosu
Merchant marine:total: 428 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,076,981GRT/9,822,089 DWTships by type: bulk 124, cargo 122, chemical tanker 21, combinationbulk 3, combination ore/oil 1, container 59, liquefied gas tanker12, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 61, refrigeratedcargo 13, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 10note: South Korea owns an additional 231 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling 10,128,506 DWT operating under the registries of Panama,Liberia, Cyprus, Malta, The Bahamas, and Thailand (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 105with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 20with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14with paved runways under 914 m: 54with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 201 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 16.6 million (1993)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international servicesdomestic: NAinternational: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; satellite earthstations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 79, FM 46, shortwave 0
Radios: 42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 256 (57 of which are 1 kW or greater) (1987 est.)
Televisions: 9.3 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National MaritimePolice (Coast Guard)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 13,602,115 males fit for military service: 8,706,545 males reach military age (18) annually: 398,322 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $17.4 billion, 3.3% of GNP (1996)
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@Kuwait ———
Map —-
Location: 29 30 N, 45 45 E — Middle East, bordering the PersianGulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
Geography ————-
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraqand Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 17,820 sq kmland area: 17,820 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 464 km border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline: 499 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by Saudi Arabia
Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 8%forest and woodland: 0%other: 92%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some ofworld's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilitiesprovide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertificationnatural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October toApril, they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roadsand houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year,but are most common between March and Augustinternational agreements: party to - Climate Change, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Geographic note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
People ———
Population: 1,950,047 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33% (male 334,778; female 317,241)15-64 years: 65% (male 757,535; female 507,064)65 years and over: 2% (male 18,459; female 14,970) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 6.65% (1996 est.) note: this rate reflects the continued post-Gulf crisis return of nationals and expatriates
Birth rate: 20.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 48.46 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: 1.49 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.32 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.92 years male: 73.59 years female: 78.38 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic divisions: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%,Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions: Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%),Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 78.6%male: 82.2%female: 74.9%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt
Data code: KU
Type of government: nominal constitutional monarchy
Capital: Kuwait
Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, Hawalli, Al Farwaniyah
Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant inpersonal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years ormore or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their maledescendants at age 21note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification buthave been naturalized for 30 years will be eligible to vote
Executive branch:chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31December 1977) is a hereditary monarch of the MUBARAK line of theruling Sabah familyhead of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallahal-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978), First Deputy PrimeMinister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992),and Second Deputy Prime Minister Nasir Abdallah al-RUDAN (since NA)were appointed by the Amircabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime ministerand approved by the amir
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-umma): elected members serve four-year terms; elections last held 5 October 1992 (next to be held NA September 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (50 total) independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly
Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim Al SABAHchancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKERembassy: Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel),Kuwait Citymailing address: P.O. Box 77, SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; Unit 6900,APO AE 09880-9000telephone: [965] 2424151 through 2424159FAX: [965] 2442855
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and redwith a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwait has rebuilt its war-ravaged petroleum sector; its crude oil production averaged 2.0 million barrels per day in 1994. The government continues to record large fiscal deficits. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 70% of government income. Kuwait lacks water and has practically no arable land, thus preventing development of agriculture. With the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Because of its high per capita income, comparable with Western European incomes, Kuwait provides its citizens with extensive health, educational, and retirement benefits. Per capita military expenditures are among the highest in the world. The economy improved moderately in 1994-95, with the growth in industry and finance. The World Bank has urged Kuwait to push ahead with privatization, including in the oil industry, but the government will move slowly on this front.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $30.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $17,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 55% services: 45%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1 million (1994 est.) by occupation: industry and agriculture 25.0%, services 25.0%, government and social services 50.0% note: 80% of labor force non-Kuwaiti (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $9.7 billionexpenditures: $14.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, foodprocessing, construction materials, salt, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 7,070,000 kW production: 11 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,007 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: practically no crops; extensive fishing in territorial waters
Exports: $11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: oil partners: US 23%, Japan 13%, Germany 10%, UK 9%, France 8%
Imports: $6.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts,clothingpartners: US 14%, Japan 12%, Germany 8%, UK 7%, France 6% (1994 est.)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2993 (January 1996), 0.2984 (1995), 0.2976 (1994), 0.3017 (1993), 0.2934 (1992), 0.2843 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: 4,273 kmpaved: NA km (including 280 km of expressways) (1989 est.)unpaved: NA km
Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas165 km
Ports: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah,Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Merchant marine:total: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,053,667 GRT/3,242,305DWTships by type: cargo 10, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 7,livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 21, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 4with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 548,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: the civil network suffered some damage as aresult of the Gulf war, but most of the telephone exchanges wereleft intact and, by the end of 1994, domestic and internationaltelecommunications had been restored to normal operation; thequality of service is excellentdomestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for newsubscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,coaxial cable, open wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephonesystem operates throughout Kuwait and the country is well suppliedwith pay telephonesinternational: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to SaudiArabia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 720,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 800,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Ministry ofInterior Forces, Coast Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 658,270 males fit for military service: 391,586 males reach military age (18) annually: 17,544 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, 12.8% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Kyrgyzstan —————
Map —-
Location: 41 00 N, 75 00 E — Central Asia, west of China
Flag ——
Description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
Geography ————-
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:total area: 198,500 sq kmland area: 191,300 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:total: 3,878 kmborder countries: China 858 km, Kazakstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan onsouthwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropicalin southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basinsencompass entire nationlowest point: Kara-Daryya 132 mhighest point: Jengish Chokusu 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significantdeposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal,oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth,lead, and zinc
Land use:arable land: 7%permanent crops: NEGL%meadows and pastures: 42%forest and woodland: 0%other: 51%
Irrigated land: 10,320 sq km (1990)
Environment:current issues: water pollution; many people get their waterdirectly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result,water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity fromfaulty irrigation practicesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 4,529,648 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 37% (male 847,859; female 828,889)15-64 years: 57% (male 1,263,044; female 1,312,040)65 years and over: 6% (male 100,524; female 177,292) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.07% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 26.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -16.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.86 years male: 59.18 years female: 68.77 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kyrgyz(s) adjective: Kyrgyz
Ethnic divisions: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%,Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 8.3%
Religions: Muslim NA%, Russian Orthodox NA%
Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian -official languagenote: in March 1996, the Kyrgyz legislature amended the constitutionto make Russian an official language, along with Kyrgyz, interritories and work places where Russian-speaking citizenspredominate
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)total population: 97%male: 99%female: 96%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular - oblast) and 1city* (singular - shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when namediffers from oblast name
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993 note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) waselected for a five-year term by popular vote; elections last held 24December 1995 (next to be held NA); results - Askar AKAYEV wonelection with 75% of vote with 86% of electorate voting; note -elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidateslittle time to campaign; AKAYEV may have orchestrated the"deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a majorrivalhead of government: Prime Minister Apas JUMAGULOV (since NA December1993) was appointed by the president and reappointed February 1996cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime minister