Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica): elections last held 1 October 1995 (next to be held NA October 1999); results - PSD 34.0%, PS 43.8%, CDU 8.6%, CDS/PP 9.1%; seats - (230 total) PSD 88, PS 112, CDU 15, CDS/PP 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica),judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (PSD),Marcelo Rebelo DE SOUSA; Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), AntonioGUTERRES; Party of Democratic Renewal (PRD), Pedro CANAVARRO;Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Carlos CARVALHAS; SocialDemocratic Center (CDS), Manuel MONTEIRO; National Solidarity Party(PSN), Manuel SERGIO; Center Democratic Party (CDS); UnitedDemocratic Coalition (CDU; communists)
International organization participation: AfDB, Australia Group,BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA(observer), MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Antonio de Lacerda ANDRESENGUIMARAESchancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and SanFranciscoconsulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence(Rhode Island)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley BAGLEY embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (1) 7266600, 7266659, 7268670, 7268880 FAX: [351] (1) 7269109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Portugal's short-term economic fundamentals are strong - the economy grew by 2.8% in 1995, with similar growth expected in 1996 and 1997, and unemployment is among the lowest in the EU. The Socialist government has pledged its dedication both to meeting the Maastricht monetary convergence criteria and to increasing social spending, including provision of a guaranteed minimum income. The government's 1996 budget, passed in March 1996, includes a budget deficit target of 4.2%, to be attained largely through cuts in non-social-service government spending and income from an ambitious privatization program. As for the long run, Portugal hopes for a steady modernization of its capital plant, its work force, and its infrastructure in order to catch up with the productivity and income levels of the Big Four economies of Western Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $116.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $11,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 35.8% services: 58.2% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 4.24 million (1994 est.) by occupation: services 54.5%, manufacturing 24.4%, agriculture, forestry, fisheries 11.2%, construction 8.3%, utilities 1.0%, mining 0.5% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $31 billionexpenditures: $41 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994)
Industries: textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork;metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 8,220,000 kW production: 29.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,642 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, meat, dairy products
Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe
Exports: $18.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: clothing and footwear, machinery, cork and paperproducts, hidespartners: EU 75.1%, other developed countries 12.4% (US 5.2%) (1995)
Imports: $24.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, petroleum, textiles partners: EU 71%, other developed countries 10.9% (US 2.5%), less developed countries 12.9% (1995)
External debt: $11.8 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $248 million (1993) recipient: ODA, $70 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1 - 151.61 (January 1996), 149.97 (1995), 165.99 (1994), 160.80 (1993), 135.00 (1992), 144.48 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 3,068 kmbroad gauge: 2,761 km 1.668-m gauge (464 km electrified; 426 kmdouble track)narrow gauge: 307 km 1.000-m gaugenote: in 1992, Portugal had 3,588 km of track of which 464 km wereelectrified
Highways:total: 70,176 km (statistics for continental Portugal only)paved: 60,351 km (including 519 km of expressways)unpaved: 9,825 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton cargo capacity
Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km
Ports: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes,Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores),Setubal, Viana do Castelo
Merchant marine:total: 72 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 795,725 GRT/1,418,538DWTships by type: bulk 7, cargo 35, chemical tanker 5, container 5,liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 12, passenger-cargo 1,refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1note: Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira forPortuguese-owned ships; ships on the Madeira Register (MAR) willhave taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience;Portugal owns an additional 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling155,776 DWT operating under the registries of Panama and Malta (1995est.)
Airports:total: 67with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18with paved runways under 914 m: 30with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2,236,411 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: generally adequate integrated network of coaxial cables,open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earthstationsinternational: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat;tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat(Atlantic Ocean Region) is planned
Radio broadcast stations: AM 57, FM 66 (repeaters 22), shortwave 0
Radios: 2.2 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 66 (repeaters 23)
Televisions: 2,970,892 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, NationalRepublican Guard, Fiscal Guard, Public Security Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,498,965 males fit for military service: 2,014,653 males reach military age (20) annually: 83,427 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion, 2.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Puerto Rico —————-
(commonwealth associated with the US)
Map —-
Location: 18 15 N, 66 30 W — Caribbean, island between theCaribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the DominicanRepublic
Flag ——
Description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the US flag
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 9,104 sq kmland area: 8,959 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than three times the size of RhodeIsland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine, mild, little seasonal temperaturevariation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north;mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along mostcoastal areaslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel, potential for onshoreand offshore oil
Land use:arable land: 8%permanent crops: 9%meadows and pastures: 41%forest and woodland: 20%other: 22%
Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: the recent drought has caused water levels inreservoirs to drop and prompted water rationing for more thanone-half of the populationnatural hazards: periodic droughtsinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
People ———
Population: 3,819,023 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 25% (male 484,038; female 461,175)15-64 years: 65% (male 1,201,841; female 1,279,707)65 years and over: 10% (male 174,274; female 217,988) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.18% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.38 years male: 71.13 years female: 79.89 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic divisions: Hispanic
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant denominations and other 15%
Languages: Spanish, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 89%male: 90%female: 88%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Ricoconventional short form: Puerto Rico
Data code: RQ
Type of government: commonwealth associated with the US
Capital: San Juan
Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with theUS); note - there are 78 municipalities
Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
Legal system: based on Spanish civil code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants areUS citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON(since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20January 1993)head of government: Governor Pedro ROSSELLO (since 2 January 1993)was elected for a four-year term by direct suffrage; election lastheld 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results -Pedro ROSSELLO (PNP) 50%, Victoria MUNOZ (PPD) 46%, Fernando MARTIN(PIP) 4%
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative AssemblySenate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (29total) PNP 20, PPD 8, PIP 1House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992 (nextto be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;seats - (53 total) PNP 36, PPD 16, PIP 1US House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992(next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (1 total) PNP 1 (Carlos Romero BARCELO); note -Puerto Rico elects one representative to the US House ofRepresentatives
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices appointed by the governorwith the consent of the Senate; Superior Courts, justices appointedby the governor with the consent of the Senate; Municipal Courts,justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate
Political parties and leaders: National Republican Party of PuertoRico, Luis FERRE; Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Hector ACEVEDO;New Progressive Party (PNP), Pedro ROSSELLO; Puerto Rican SocialistParty (PSP) has been disbanded (1994); Puerto Rican IndependenceParty (PIP), Ruben BERRIOS Martinez; Puerto Rican Communist Party(PCP), leader(s) unknown
Other political or pressure groups: Armed Forces for NationalLiberation (FALN); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution;Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Armed Forces ofPopular Resistance
International organization participation: Caricom (observer),ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau),IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (commonwealth associatedwith the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (commonwealth associated withthe US)
Flag: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the US flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. Industry has surpassed agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Important industries include pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, and processed foods. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 3.9 million tourists in 1993.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $29.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1994)
Labor force: 1.2 million (1993) by occupation: government 22%, manufacturing 17%, trade 20%, construction 6%, communications and transportation 5%, other 30% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $5.1 billionexpenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY94/95)
Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products,instruments, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 4.230,000 kW production: 15.6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,819 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; cattle, chickens
Exports: $21.8 billion (1994) commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment, instruments partners: US 86.2% (1993)
Imports: $16.7 billion (1994) commodities: chemicals, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products partners: US 69.2% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 96 kmnarrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system forhauling sugarcane; no passenger service
Highways:total: NA kmpaved: 13,762 km (1982 est.)unpaved: NA km
Ports: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 23with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8with paved runways under 914 m: 7with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1,166,231 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: modern system, integrated with that of the US byhigh-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed datacapabilitydomestic: digital telephone system with about 1 million lines (1990est.); cellular telephone serviceinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cableto US
Radio broadcast stations: AM 50, FM 63, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.565 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9 note: cable television available with US programs (1990 est.)
Televisions: 952,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Qatar ——-
Map —-
Location: 25 30 N, 51 15 E — Middle East, peninsula bordering thePersian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Flag ——
Description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine whitepoints) on the hoist side
Geography ————-
Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf andSaudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 11,000 sq kmland area: 11,000 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 60 km border country: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline: 563 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: territorial dispute with Bahrain over theHawar Islands; maritime boundary with Bahrain; 1965 boundary withSaudi Arabia, renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not officialdepiction
Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand andgravellowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Qurayn Aba al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 5%forest and woodland: 0%other: 95%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasingdependence on large-scale desalination facilitiesnatural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms commoninternational agreements: signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf nearmajor petroleum deposits
People ———
Population: 547,761 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30% (male 82,147; female 83,552)15-64 years: 68% (male 263,107; female 109,177)65 years and over: 2% (male 6,609; female 3,169) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.39% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.6 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 0.96 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female15-64 years: 2.41 male(s)/female65 years and over: 2.09 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.8 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.35 years male: 70.75 years female: 75.84 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.28 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari
Ethnic divisions: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions: Muslim 95%
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a secondlanguage
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 79.4%male: 79.2%female: 79.9%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar note: pronounced gutter
Data code: QA
Type of government: traditional monarchy
Capital: Doha
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batnah, Ash Shamal, Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970
Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: Amir and Prime Minister HAMADbin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, heousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodlesscoup) is an absolute monarch; Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH binKhalifa Al Thani (since NA July 1995); note - Amir HAMAD who alsoholds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief ofthe armed forces, has not yet selected a new crown princecabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the amir
Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; seats - (30 total)
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador ABD AL-RAHMAN bin Saud bin Fahd Al Thanichancery: Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC20037telephone: [1] (202) 338-0111
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick N. THEROS embassy: 149 Armed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the television station), Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 864701 through 864703 FAX: [974] 861669
Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points)on the hoist side
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.7 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,820 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 50% services: 49% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $2.5 billionexpenditures: $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY95/96)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 1,520,000 kW production: 4.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 8,415 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish (all on small scale)
Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: petroleum products 75%, steel, fertilizerspartners: Japan 61%, Australia 5%, UAE 4%, Singapore 4% (1994)
Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemicalspartners: Germany 14%, Japan 12%, UK 11%, US 9%, Italy 5% (1994)
External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
Exchange rates: Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1 - 3.6400 riyals (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,191 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 163 km (1988 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id
Merchant marine:total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 467,447 GRT/771,483 DWTships by type: combination ore/oil 2, container 3, cargo 11, oiltanker 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 3with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 160,717 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: modern system centered in Dohadomestic: NAinternational: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radiorelay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE;satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 IndianOcean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 201,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 205,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 220,635 males fit for military service: 115,403 males reach military age (18) annually: 4,115 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Reunion ———-
(overseas department of France)
Map —-
Location: 21 06 S, 55 36 E — Southern Africa, island in theIndian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Flag ——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references: World
Area:total area: 2,510 sq kmland area: 2,500 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 201 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderates with elevation; cool and dry fromMay to November, hot and rainy from November to April
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands alongcoastlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use:arable land: 16%permanent crops: 3%meadows and pastures: 5%forest and woodland: 35%other: 41% (1993)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcanointernational agreements: NA
People ———
Population: 679,198 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 112,413; female 107,187)15-64 years: 62% (male 207,386; female 214,308)65 years and over: 6% (male 15,610; female 22,294) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.75 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: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.77 years male: 71.71 years female: 77.98 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)adjective: Reunionese
Ethnic divisions: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani,Indian
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Hindu, Islam, Buddhist
Languages: French (official), Creole widely used
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)total population: 79%male: 76%female: 80%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Department of Reunion conventional short form: Reunion local long form: none local short form: Ile de la Reunion
Data code: RE
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Saint-Denis
Administrative divisions: overseas department of France; there are no first-order divisions as defined by the US Government but there are four arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May1995) represented by Prefect Pierre STEINMETZ (since NA) who wasappointed by the French Ministry of the Interiorhead of government: President of the General Council ChristophePAYET (since NA)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameralRegional CouncilGeneral Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be heldNA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) PCR12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7Regional Council: elections last held 25 June 1993 (next to be heldNA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) UPF17, Free-Dom Movement 13, PCR 9, PS 6French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1992 (next to beheld NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (3 total)RPR 1, FRA 1, independent 1French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;seats - (5 total) PS 1, PCR 1, UPF 1, RPR 1, UDF-CDS 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), AlainDEFAUD; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Gilbert GERARD; CommunistParty of Reunion (PCR), Elie HOARAU; France-Reunion Future (FRA),Andre THIEN AH KOON; Socialist Party (PS), Jean-Claude FRUTEAU;Social Democrats (CDS), leader NA; Union for France (UPF - includesRPR and UDF); Free-Dom Movement, Marguerite SUDRE
International organization participation: FZ, IOC, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which recently amounted to one-third of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas indigenous groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 242,169 (1993) by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 21%, services 49% (1981)
Unemployment rate: 35% (February 1991)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 180,000 kW production: 1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,454 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits,vegetables, corn
Exports: $174 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%,lobster 3%, (1993)partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
Imports: $2.08 billion (c.i.f., 1993)commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machineryand transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum productspartners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: substantial annual subsidies from France
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,784 km paved: 2,187 km unpaved: 597 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Le Port, Pointe des Galets
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 191,647 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis domestic: modern open wire and microwave radio relay network international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: 151,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 18)
Televisions: 116,181 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 176,609 males fit for military service: 90,784 males reach military age (18) annually: 5,728 (1996 est.)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
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@Romania ———-
Map —-
Location: 46 00 N, 25 00 E — Southeastern Europe, bordering theBlack Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Flag ——
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of Andorra and Chad
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, betweenBulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 237,500 sq kmland area: 230,340 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:total: 2,508 kmborder countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,Serbia and Montenegro 476 km (all with Serbia), Ukraine (north) 362km, Ukraine (south) 169 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine -including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered byBucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory wasincorporated into the former Soviet Union following theMolotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow andfog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, naturalgas, coal, iron ore, salt
Land use:arable land: 43%permanent crops: 3%meadows and pastures: 19%forest and woodland: 28%other: 7%
Irrigated land: 34,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; airpollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination ofDanube delta wetlandsnatural hazards: earthquakes most severe in south and southwest;geologic structure and climate promote landslidesinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but notratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls most easily traversable land routebetween the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
People ———
Population: 21,657,162 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20% (male 2,180,023; female 2,088,496)15-64 years: 68% (male 7,261,160; female 7,393,531)65 years and over: 12% (male 1,138,583; female 1,595,369) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: -1.21% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.77 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.27 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.42 years male: 65.51 years female: 73.57 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian
Ethnic divisions: Romanian 89.1%, Hungarian 8.9%, German 0.4%,Ukrainian, Serb, Croat, Russian, Turk, and Gypsy 1.6%
Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 6% (of which 3%are Uniate), Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 18%
Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)total population: 97%male: 98%female: 95%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania
Data code: RO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bucharest
Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular - judet)and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor,Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau,Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj,Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi,Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December1947)
National holiday: National Day of Romania, 1 December (1990)
Constitution: 8 December 1991
Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the Constitution of France's Fifth Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20 June 1990,previously President of Provisional Council of National Unity since23 December 1989) was elected for a four-year term by universalsuffrage; election last held 27 September 1992, with runoff betweentop two candidates on 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1996);results - Ion ILIESCU 61.4%, Emil CONSTANTINESCU 38.6%head of government: Prime Minister Nicolae VACAROIU (since NANovember 1992) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral ParliamentSenate (Senat): elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to beheld NA 1996); results - PSDR 34.3%, CDR 18.2%, DP-FSN 12.6%, others34.9%; seats - (143 total) PSDR 49, CDR 26, DP-FSN 18, PUNR 13, UDMR12, PRM 6, PAC 6, PDAR 5, PSM 5, PL-93 2, other 1House of Deputies (Adunarea Deputatilor): elections last held 27September 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - PSDR 34.0%, CDR16.4%, DP-FSN 12.3%, others 37.3%; seats - (341 total) PSDR 116, CDR56, DP-FSN 42, PUNR 29, UDMR 27, PL-93 19, PRM 15, PSM 13, PAC 5,other 19
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice, judges are appointed bythe president on recommendation of the Superior Council ofMagistrates
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (DP-FSN), PetreROMAN; Social Democratic Party of Romania (PSDR), Adrian NASTASE;Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), Bela MARKO;National Liberal Party (PNL), Mircea IONESCU-QUINTUS; NationalPeasants' Christian and Democratic Party (PNTCD), Ion DIACONESCU;Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR), Gheorghe FUNAR; SocialistLabor Party (PSM), Ilie VERDET; Agrarian Democratic Party of Romania(PDAR), Victor SURDU; The Democratic Convention (CDR), EmilCONSTANTINESCU; Romania Mare Party (PRM), Corneliu Vadim TUDOR;Civic Alliance Party (PAC), Nicolae MANOLESCU, chairman; LiberalParty 1993 (PL-93)note: numerous other small parties exist but almost all failed togain representation in the most recent election
Other political or pressure groups: various human rights andprofessional associations
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC,CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS(observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mircea Dan GEOANA chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred H. MOSESembassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharestmailing address: American Consulate General (Bucharest), Unit 1315,APO AE 09213-1315telephone: [40] (1) 210 01 49, 210 40 42FAX: [40] (1) 210 03 95branch office: Cluj-Napoca
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of Andorra and Chad
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Romania, one of the poorer East European countries moving away from the command economy, posted its third straight year of growth in 1995. Bucharest also was successful in reducing its inflation rate to 25% - less than half the 1994 rate - because of tight monetary and fiscal policies, while unemployment fell to 9% as the private sector hired more workers. Despite these successes on the economic front, Romania has lagged much of Central and Eastern Europe in the restructuring process. The private sector accounted for only 40% of GDP in 1995 with over 90% of industry remaining in state hands. Privatization is slated to pick up in 1996, but Bucharest faces other economic problems that could stall recovery, including a growing budget deficit, limited reform of the agricultural and energy sectors, and accumulated decay of the infrastructure.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $105.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 19.6% industry: 36.3% services: 44.1% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1995)
Labor force: 11.3 million (1992) by occupation: industry 38%, agriculture 28%, other 34% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 8.9% (December 1995)
Budget:revenues: $5.35 billionexpenditures: $6.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, machine building, food processing, petroleum production and refining
Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 22,180,000 kW production: 50.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,076 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes,grapes; milk, eggs, meat
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin andLatin American cocaine transiting the Balkan route
Exports: $6.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: textiles and footwear 23.8%, metals and metal products17.3%, fuels and mineral products 11.6%, machinery and transportequipment 14.8%, chemicals 7.9%, food and agricultural goods 6.5%,other 18.1% (1994)partners: developing countries 30.3%, East and Central Europe 8.4%,Russia 3.4%, OECD 57.9% (EU 50%, US 3.1%) (1994)
Imports: $7.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: fuels and minerals 26.8%, machinery and transport equipment 25.1%, textiles and footwear 12.3%, food and agricultural goods 9.3%, chemicals 7.9%, other 18.6% (1994) partners: OECD 60% (EU 44.5%, US 6.5%), East and Central Europe 6.1%, developing countries 16.6%, Russia 13.8%, other 3.5% (1994)
External debt: $4.7 billion (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $81 million (1993)
Currency: 1 leu (L) = 100 bani
Exchange rates: lei (L) per US$1 - 2,599.24 (January 1996), 2,033.28 (1995), 1,655.09 (1994), 760.05 (1993), 307.95 (1992), 76.39 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 11,374 kmbroad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gaugestandard gauge: 10,887 km 1.435-m gauge (3,866 km electrified; 3,060km double track)narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (1994)
Highways:total: 153,014 kmpaved: 78,037 km (including 113 km of expressways)unpaved: 74,977 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,724 km (1984)
Pipelines: crude oil 2,800 km; petroleum products 1,429 km; natural gas 6,400 km (1992)
Ports: Braila, Constanta, Galatz, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea
Merchant marine:total: 233 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,425,729GRT/3,641,741 DWTships by type: bulk 39, cargo 166, container 2, oil tanker 13,passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-offcargo 9note: Romania owns an additional 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling 1,078,490 DWT operating under the registries of Liberia,Malta, Cyprus, and The Bahamas (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 156with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 17with unpaved runways under 914 m: 108 (1994 est.)