Political parties and leaders: Basotho National Party (BNP),Evaristus SEKHONYANA; Basotho Congress Party (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE;National Independent Party (NIP), A. C. MANYELI; Marematlou FreedomParty (MFP), Vincent MALEBO; United Democratic Party, CharlesMOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL), Jacob M. KENA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU,SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Eunice M. BULANEchancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Bismarck MYRICK embassy: address NA, Maseru mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 312666 FAX: [266] 310116
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has no important natural resources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from laborers employed in South Africa (these remittances supplement domestic income by as much as 45%). The great majority of households gain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor; a large portion of the adult male work force is employed in South African mines. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products which support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years, improvement of a major hydropower facility will permit the sale of water to South Africa and will support the economy's continued expansion.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 13.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,430 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 10.4% industry: 48.8% services: 40.8% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (January 1995)
Labor force: 689,000 economically active by occupation: 86.2% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 60% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa
Unemployment rate: substantial unemployment and underemployment
Budget:revenues: $445 millionexpenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of $128million (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts; construction;tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 12.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity: power supplied by South Africa
Agriculture: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
Exports: $142 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: clothing, furniture, footwear, woolpartners: South Africa 39%, EC 22%, North and South America 33%(1993)
Imports: $1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles,machinery, medicines, petroleum productspartners: South Africa 83%, Asia 12%, EC 3% (1993)
External debt: $512 million (1993)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente
Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563 (1991); note - the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 2.6 km; note - owned by, operated by, and included in thestatistics of South Africanarrow gauge: 2.6 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:total: 5,324 kmpaved: 799 kmunpaved: 4,525 km (1993 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:total: 29with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 23with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 12,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: rudimentary system domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 66,000
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing),Lesotho Mounted Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 455,218 males fit for military service: 245,774 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Liberia ———-
Years of civil strife have destroyed much of Liberia's economic infrastructure, made civil administration nearly impossible, and brought economic activity virtually to a halt. The deterioration of economic conditions has been greatly exacerbated by the flight of most business people with their expertise and capital. Civil order ended in 1990 when President Samuel Kanyon DOE was killed by rebel forces. The ensuing civil war persisted until August 1995 when the major factions signed the Abuja peace accord and, in September 1995, formed a transitional coalition government under Wilton SANKAWULO. The war was resumed in April 1996, when forces loyal to faction leaders Charles TAYLOR and Alhaji KROMAH attacked rival factions in Monrovia, further damaging the capital's already dilapidated infrastructure and causing panic among the remaining foreign residents, thousands of whom sought refuge in US facilities. Prospects for peace became extremely uncertain again.
Map —-
Location: 6 30 N, 9 30 W — Western Africa, bordering the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Flag ——
Description: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 111,370 sq kmland area: 96,320 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,585 kmborder countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone306 km
Coastline: 579 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 3%meadows and pastures: 2%forest and woodland: 39%other: 55%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: tropical rain forest subject to deforestation; soilerosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of rivers from the dumpingof iron ore tailings and of coastal waters from oil residue and rawsewagenatural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara(December to March)international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, NuclearTest Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94;signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, MarineLife Conservation
People ———
Population: 2,109,789 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 475,138; female 470,970)15-64 years: 52% (male 557,855; female 532,143)65 years and over: 3% (male 35,544; female 38,139) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.13% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.72 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)note: until the Ghanaian-led peace negotiations are successful, manyLiberian refugees will be unable to return from exile
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.59 years male: 56.05 years female: 61.22 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Liberian(s)adjective: Liberian
Ethnic divisions: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle,Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai,and Bella), Americo-Liberians 5% (descendants of former slaves)
Religions: traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10%
Languages: English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language groupabout 20 local languages come from this group
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 38.3%male: 53.9%female: 22.4%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia
Data code: LI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Monrovia
Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa,Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland,Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe
Independence: 26 July 1847
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Constitution: 6 January 1986
Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Council ofState Wilton SANKAWULO (since NA September 1995); president was tobe elected for a six-year term by universal suffrage at the end of1995; election last held 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA August1996); results - Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP)26.4%, other 22.7%note: constitutional government ended in September 1990 whenPresident Samuel Kanyon DOE was killed by rebel forces; civil warensued and in August 1995 the Abuja peace accord was signed by themajor warring factions; a transitional coalition government underWilton SANKAWULO was formed in September 1995; presidentialelections are scheduled for August 1996cabinet: Cabinet was selected by the leaders of the major factionsin the civil war
Legislative branch: unicameral Transitional Legislative Assembly,the members of which are appointed by the leaders of the majorfactions in the civil warnote: the former bicameral legislature no longer exists and isunlikely to be reconstituted soon
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman; Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP), Joseph KOFA, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman; National Patriotic Party (NPP), Charles TAYLOR, chairman; Liberian Peoples Party (LPP), Dusty WOLOKOLLIE, chairman
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Konah K.BLACKETTchancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chief of Mission William MILAMembassy: 111 United Nations Drive, Monroviamailing address: P. O. Box 100098, Mamba Point, Monroviatelephone: [231] 226-370FAX: [231] 226-148
Flag: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. Political instability threatens prospects for economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The continued political turmoil has prevented restoration of normal economic life, including the re-establishment of a strong central government with effective economic development programs. The economy deteriorated further in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $770 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economy by occupation: agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2% note: non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $225 millionexpenditures: $285 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Industries: rubber processing, food processing, constructionmaterials, furniture, palm oil processing, iron ore, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate: NA% (1993-94)
Electricity: capacity: 330,000 kW production: 440 million kWh consumption per capita: 143 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palmoil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Illicit drugs: increasingly a transshipment point for heroin andcocaine
Exports: $530 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee partners: US, EC, Netherlands, Singapore
Imports: NA (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; rice and other foodstuffs partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS, South Korea
External debt: $1.9 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (officially fixed rate since 1940); market exchange rate of US$1 - L$50 (October 1995), L$7 (January 1992), market rate floats against the US dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 490 km (single track); note - three rail systems owned andoperated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunctionwith Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad, closedin 1989 after iron ore production ceased; the other two have beenshut down by the civil warstandard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 10,029 km paved: 600 km unpaved: 9,429 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia
Merchant marine:total: 1,601 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,449,296GRT/98,819,081 DWTships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 411, cargo 121, chemical tanker108, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 56, container 143,liquefied gas tanker 77, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oiltanker 463, passenger 42, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 64,roll-on/roll-off cargo 23, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker9, vehicle carrier 48note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 59countries among which are US 253, Japan 172, Norway 165, Germany149, Greece 137, Hong Kong 114, UK 78, China 49, Monaco 41, andCyprus 34 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 39with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 29with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: less than 25,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telephone and telegraph service via microwaveradio relay network; main center is Monrovia; mosttelecommunications services inoperable due to insurgency movementdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 622,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 51,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: NA; the ultimate structure of the Liberian militaryforce will depend on who is the victor in the ongoing civil war
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 479,274 males fit for military service: 256,200 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.9% of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Libya ——-
Map —-
Location: 25 00 N, 17 00 E — Northern Africa, bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia
Flag ——
Description: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam(the state religion)
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,between Egypt and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1,759,540 sq kmland area: 1,759,540 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:total: 4,383 kmborder countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km,Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline: 1,770 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32 degrees 30 minutes north
International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains part of the airfield and a small military presence at the airfield's water supply located in Chad; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; claims part of northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria
Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus,depressionslowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 mhighest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 8%forest and woodland: 0%other: 90%
Irrigated land: 2,420 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: desertification; very limited natural fresh waterresources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest waterdevelopment scheme in the world, is being built to bring water fromlarge aquifers under the Sahara to coastal citiesnatural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern windlasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstormsinternational agreements: party to - Marine Dumping, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
People ———
Population: 5,445,436 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 1,319,696; female 1,274,865)15-64 years: 49% (male 1,375,441; female 1,308,613)65 years and over: 3% (male 87,434; female 79,387) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.42 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 59.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.67 years male: 62.48 years female: 66.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan
Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians,Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians
Religions: Sunni Muslim 97%
Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood inthe major cities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 76.2%male: 87.9%female: 63%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriyaconventional short form: Libyalocal long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyahal Ishtirakiyahlocal short form: none
Data code: LY
Type of government: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship
Capital: Tripoli
Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - baladiyat); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan note: the 25 muncipalities may have been replaced by 1,500 communes in 1992
Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy)
National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977
Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyaral-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969) was elected by the GeneralPeople's Congresshead of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee(Premier) Abd al Majid al-QA'UD (since 29 January 1994)cabinet: General People's Committee was established by the GeneralPeople's Congressnote: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy ofpeoples' committees
Legislative branch: unicameralGeneral People's Congress: national elections are indirect through ahierarchy of peoples' committees
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US: Libya does not have an embassy inthe US
US diplomatic representation: the US suspended all embassyactivities in Tripoli on 2 May 1980
Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (thestate religion)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-third of GDP. In 1990 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but subsequently GDP growth has slowed on average and has fluctuated sharply in response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs 18% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. The UN sanctions imposed in April 1992 have not yet had a major impact on the economy because Libya's oil revenues generate sufficient foreign exchange to sustain imports of food, consumer goods, and equipment for the oil industry and ongoing development projects.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $32.9 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -0.9% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,510 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 1 million (includes about 280,000 resident foreigners) by occupation: industry 31%, services 27%, government 24%, agriculture 18%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $8.1 billionexpenditures: $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1billion (1989 est.)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts,cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 4,600,000 kW production: 16.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,078 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts; meat, eggs
Exports: $7.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas partners: Italy, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Turkey, Greece, Egypt
Imports: $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods partners: Italy, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia, Eastern Europe
External debt: $3.5 billion excluding military debt (1991 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams
Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.3617 (January 1996), 0.3532 (1995), 0.3596 (1994), 0.3250 (1993), 0.3013 (1992), 0.2684 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:note: Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, allprevious systems having been dismantled; current plans are toconstruct a 1.435-m standard gauge line from the Tunisian frontierto Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of amineral-rich area, but there has been no progress; other plans madejointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum,Egypt, to Tobruk with completion set for mid-1994; no progress hasbeen reported
Highways: total: 19,189 km paved: 10,738 km unpaved: 8,451 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includesliquefied petroleum gas 256 km); natural gas 1,947 km
Ports: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah,Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah
Merchant marine:total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 686,834 GRT/1,209,263DWTships by type: cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 2,oil tanker 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 4note: Libya owns an additional 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling38,260 DWT operating under the registries of Algeria and Turkey(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 130with paved runways over 3 047 m: 24with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6with paved runways under 914 m: 13with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 4with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 38 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 370,000
Telephone system: modern telecommunications system domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); planned Arabsat and Intersputnik satellite earth stations; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 12 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (includesArmy, Navy, and Air and Air Defense Command), Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,170,100 males fit for military service: 696,288 males reach military age (17) annually: 56,834 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, 6.1% of GDP (1994 est.)
======================================================================
@Liechtenstein ——————-
Map —-
Location: 47 10 N, 9 32 E — Central Europe, between Austria andSwitzerland
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red witha gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates: 47 10 N, 9 32 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 160 sq kmland area: 160 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 78 km border countries: Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: claims 1,600 square kilometers of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the communists seized power
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow orrain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in westernthirdlowest point: Ruggleller Riet 430 mhighest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential
Land use:arable land: 25%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 38%forest and woodland: 19%other: 18%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed,but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law ofthe Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; variety of microclimatic variationsbased on elevation
People ———
Population: 31,122 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (male 2,961; female 2,871)15-64 years: 70% (male 10,775; female 11,113)65 years and over: 11% (male 1,366; female 2,036) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.47 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.14 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.84 years male: 75.92 years female: 82.17 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988)
Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981 est.)total population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Principality of Liechtensteinconventional short form: Liechtensteinlocal long form: Furstentum Liechtensteinlocal short form: Liechtenstein
Data code: LS
Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Vaduz
Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular -gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell,Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality ofLiechtenstein established)
National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution: 5 October 1921
Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, who isa hereditary monarch, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); HeirApparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968)head of government: Mario FRICK (since 15 December 1993) and DeputyHead of Government Dr. Thomas BUECHEL (since 15 December 1993) wereelected by the Landtag for a four-year term and confirmed by theprincecabinet: Cabinet was elected by the Diet; confirmed by the prince
Legislative branch: unicameral Diet (Landtag): elections last held on 24 October 1993 (next to be held by March 1997); results - VU 50.1%, FBP 41.3%, FL 8.5%; seats - (25 total) VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminalcases; Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases
Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. OswaldKRANTZ; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Otmar HASLER; The FreeList (FL)
International organization participation: CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA,IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Liechtenstein does not have anembassy in the US, but is represented by the Swiss embassy inroutine diplomatic matters
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy inLiechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) hasconsular accreditation in Vaduz
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a goldcrown on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital service sector and living standards on par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 18% - and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. Liechtenstein plans to join the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between EFTA and EU) in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $630 million (1990 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990)
Labor force: 20,000 of which 12,000 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day by occupation: industry, trade, and building 48.1%, services 50.2%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.7% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 0.9% (1995)
Budget:revenues: $455 millionexpenditures: $442 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics,pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 23,000 kW production: 150 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,230 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes; livestock
Exports: $1.636 billion (1993)commodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps,hardware, potterypartners: EC countries 42.7%, EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland15.4%), other 36.4% (1990)
Imports: $NAcommodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motorvehiclespartners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.1810 (January 1996), 1.1825 (1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statisticsof Austrian Federal Railwaysstandard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
Highways:total: 238 kmpaved: 238 kmunpaved: 0 km (1986 est.)
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications ———————
Telephones: 18,916 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: limited, but sufficient automatic telephonesystemdomestic: NAinternational: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radiorelay
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NAnote: linked to Swiss networks
Radios: 11,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: NA note: linked to Swiss networks
Televisions: 10,620 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Switzerland
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@Lithuania ————-
Map —-
Location: 56 00 N, 24 00 E — Eastern Europe, bordering the BalticSea, between Latvia and Russia
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green,and red
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latviaand Russia
Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 65,200 sq kmland area: 65,200 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:total: 1,273 kmborder countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km,Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline: 108 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards; disputes maritime border with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); treaty with Belarus defining the border awaits ratification
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapine Kalnas 292 m
Natural resources: peat
Land use:arable land: 49%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 22%forest and woodland: 16%other: 13%
Irrigated land: 430 sq km (1990)
Environment:current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleumproducts and chemicals at military basesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Climate Change, Ship Pollution,Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Ozone LayerProtection
People ———
Population: 3,646,041 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 400,823; female 384,592)15-64 years: 66% (male 1,162,626; female 1,244,103)65 years and over: 12% (male 154,862; female 299,035) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: -0.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.09 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: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.03 years male: 62.15 years female: 74.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%,Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other
Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)total population: 98%male: 99%female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Lithuaniaconventional short form: Lithuanialocal long form: Lietuvos Respublikalocal short form: Lietuvaformer: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LH
Type of government: republic
Capital: Vilnius
Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas)and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*,Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*,Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, JurbarkoRajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, KaunoRajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, KlaipedosRajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas,Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* PakruojoRajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas,Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, RaseiniuRajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas,Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas,Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, TauragesRajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, UtenosRajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas,Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for afive-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February1993 (next to be held spring 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKASwas elected; percent of vote NAhead of government: Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of theSeimascabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on thenomination of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralSeimas (parliament): elections last held 26 October and 25 November1992 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats -(141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers'Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas;Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP), Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania (LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union, Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman; Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Lithuanian Future Forum
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTASchancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723telephone: [78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224FAX: [78] (8) 670-6084
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the budget deficit and privatize the economy. Lithuania has embarked on a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized, although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from privatization - namely energy and telecommunications. While Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over 1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995. Production bottomed out in 1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995. If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the near term. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 42% services: 38% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.836 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (January 1996)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 6,190,000 kW production: 18.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk, eggs; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption
Exports: $2.2 billion (1994) commodities: electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum products 5% (1989) partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany
Imports: $2.7 billion (1994) commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989) partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus
External debt: $895 million
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993)note: commitments from the West and international financialinstitutions, $765 million (1992-95)
Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993
Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000 (1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate since 1 May 1994