Agriculture: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; expansion of tuna fishing under way
Exports: $50 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products(re-exports)partners: France 43%, UK 22%, Reunion 11%, (1992)
Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment partners: Singapore 16%, Bahrain 16%, South Africa, 14%, UK 13% (1992)
External debt: $181 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 4.9257 (January 1996), 4.7620 (1995), 5.0559 (1994), 5.1815 (1993), 5.1220 (1992), 5.2893 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 187 km unpaved: 82 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Victoria
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 14with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5with paved runways under 914 m: 6with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 8,300 (1982 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in thearchipelagointernational: direct radiotelephone communications with adjacentisland countries and African coastal countries; satellite earthstation - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 8,200 (1991 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, PresidentialProtection Unit, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 21,547 males fit for military service: 10,883 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Sierra Leone ——————
Map —-
Location: 8 30 N, 11 30 W — Western Africa, bordering the NorthAtlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top),white, and light blue
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 71,740 sq kmland area: 71,620 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May toDecember); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore,gold, chromite
Land use:arable land: 25%permanent crops: 2%meadows and pastures: 31%forest and woodland: 29%other: 13%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment;overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, andslash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soilexhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishingnatural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from theSahara (November to May); sandstorms, dust stormsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -Desertification, Environmental Modification
People ———
Population: 4,793,121 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 1,057,824; female 1,092,291)15-64 years: 52% (male 1,197,547; female 1,298,834)65 years and over: 3% (male 75,066; female 71,559) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 47.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 135.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.47 years male: 44.56 years female: 50.47 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic divisions: 13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%), Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%
Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literateminority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne(principal vernacular in the north), Krio (the language of there-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is linguafranca)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English, Mende,Temne, or Arabic (1995 est.)total population: 31.4%male: 45.4%female: 18.2%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leoneconventional short form: Sierra Leone
Data code: SL
Type of government: constitutional democracy
Capital: Freetown
Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern,Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution: 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH(inaugurated 29 March 1996); election held 26-27 February 1996 (nextto be held NA 2000)cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with theapproval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsibleto the president
Legislative branch: unicameralHouse of Representatives: elections last held NA February 1996 (nextto be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (80total, 68 elected, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separateelections) SLPP 27, UNPP 17, PDP 12, APC 5, NUP 4, DCP 3; note -first elections since the former House of Representatives was shutdown by the military coup of 29 April 1992
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: 15 parties registered for theFebruary 1996 elections; National Peoples Party (NPP), Andrew TURAY;Democratic Center Party (DCP), Abu KOROMA; Peoples Progressive Party(PPP), Edward KAMARA, chairman; Coalition for Progress Party (CPP),Geredine WILLIAMS-SARHO; National Unity Movement (NUM); UnitedNational Peoples Party (UNPP); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Thaimu BANGURA, chairman; All Peoples Congress (APC), S. A. T.KOROMA, chairman; National Republican Party (NRP); Social DemocraticParty (SDP); Peoples National Convention (PNC), I. B. KARGBO,chairman; National Unity Party (NUP), A. O. D. GEORGE, chairman;Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Paul DUNBAR, chairman; NationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA); National Alliance for Democracy Party(NADP)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant) chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John L. HIRSCH embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white,and light blue
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to push down production, exports, and the value of the leone. Agriculture employs about two-thirds of the working population, with subsistence agriculture dominating the sector. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. The mining of diamonds, bauxite, and rutile is the major source of hard currency. The government has worked hard to meet its IMF- and World Bank-mandated stabilization targets, holding down fiscal deficits, and retiring much of its domestic debt - but at a steep cost in terms of forgone capital investments and social spending. Moreover, the economic infrastructure has nearly collapsed due to neglect and war-related disruptions in the mining and agricultural export sectors. The continuing civil war in Liberia has led to a large influx of refugees, who place additional burdens on Sierra Leone's fragile economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $960 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 17% services: 43% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.)by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981est.)note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $75 millionexpenditures: $128 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: $NA
Electricity: capacity: 130,000 kW production: 220 million kWh consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish catch was 65,000 metric tons in 1994
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: rutile 51%, bauxite 20%, diamonds 16%, coffee 6%, cocoa7%, fish (1989)partners: US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe
Imports: $150 million (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: foodstuffs 38%, machinery and equipment 44%, fuels andlubricants 18% (1989)partners: US, EU countries, Japan, China, Nigeria
External debt: $1.4 billion (yearend 1993)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 951.63 (January 1996), 755.22 (1995), 586.74 (1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa isclosednarrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:total: 11,674 kmpaved: 1,284 kmunpaved: 10,390 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 5with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 17,526 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: marginal telephone and telegraph servicedomestic: national microwave radio relay system made unserviceableby military activitiesinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 980,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,019,093 males fit for military service: 494,451 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.6% of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Singapore ————-
Map —-
Location: 1 22 N, 103 48 E — Southeastern Asia, islands betweenMalaysia and Indonesia
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 632.6 sq kmland area: 622.6 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than three times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, asdefined in treaties and practiceterritorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 7%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 5%other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh waterresources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problemsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, EndangeredSpecies, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change
Geographic note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People ———
Population: 3,396,924 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 379,076; female 358,739)15-64 years: 72% (male 1,220,131; female 1,219,412)65 years and over: 6% (male 97,882; female 121,684) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.9% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.13 years male: 75.07 years female: 81.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other2.3%
Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu,Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist
Languages: Chinese (official), Malay (official and national),Tamil (official), English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 91.1%male: 95.9%female: 86.3%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore
Data code: SN
Type of government: republic within Commonwealth
Capital: Singapore
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependenceState of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system: based on English common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993)was elected for a six-year term by popular vote; election last held28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1999); results - ONG TengCheong was elected with 59% of the vote in the country's firstpopular election for presidenthead of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November1990) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995) were appointed bythe presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president, responsible toParliament
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held by 31 August 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice
Political parties and leaders:government: People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretarygeneralopposition: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan;Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; National Solidarity Party(NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA;Singapore People's Party (SPP), SIN Kek Tong
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C,CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHAN chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy A. CHORBA embassy: 30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617 mailing address: FPO AP 96534 telephone: [65] 3380251 FAX: [65] 3384550
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. The economy registered 8.9% growth in 1995, with prospects for 7%-8% growth in 1996. In 1995, the manufacturing and financial and business services sectors led economic growth. Rising labor costs continue to be a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, and the government's strategy to address this problem includes increasing productivity, improving infrastructure, and encouraging higher value-added industries. In applied technology, per capita output, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a developed country.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $66.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.9% (1995)
GDP per capita: $22,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NEGL% industry: 28% services: 72%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995)
Labor force: 1.649 million (1994) by occupation: financial, business, and other services 33.5%, manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $17.3 billionexpenditures: $12.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.5billion (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drillingequipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food andbeverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services,biotechnology
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 4,510,000 kW production: 17 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,590 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a money-laundering center
Exports: $119.6 billion (1995) commodities: computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products, telecommunications equipment partners: Malaysia 20%, US 19%, Hong Kong 9%, Japan 7%, Thailand 6% (1994)
Imports: $125.9 billion (1995) commodities: aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: Japan 22%, Malaysia 16%, US 15%, Taiwan 4%, Saudi Arabia 4% (1994)
External debt: $3.2 million (1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.4214 (January 1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 38.6 km narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:total: 2,989 kmpaved: 2,905 km (including 111.6 km of expressways)unpaved: 84 km (1994 est.)
Ports: Singapore
Merchant marine:total: 646 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,915,788GRT/20,292,580 DWTships by type: bulk 110, cargo 118, chemical tanker 18, combinationbulk 3, combination ore/oil 8, container 92, liquefied gas tanker13, multifunction large-load carrier 4, oil tanker 234, refrigeratedcargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1,specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 24note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 22countries among which are Japan 39, Hong Kong 27, Denmark 24,Germany 20, Sweden 14, Thailand 14, Belgium 12, Norway 9, Indonesia7, and US 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 8with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1.23 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: good domestic facilities; good internationalservicedomestic: NAinternational: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and PeninsularMalaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations- 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat(Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 1.05 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, PoliceForce
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,025,300 males fit for military service: 752,382 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.9 billion, 4.3% of GDP (1995 est.)
======================================================================
@Slovakia ————
Map —-
Location: 48 40 N, 19 30 E — Central Europe, south of Poland
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 48,845 sq kmland area: 48,800 sq kmcomparative area: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:total: 1,355 kmborder countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of ironore, copper and manganese ore; salt
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%meadows and pastures: NA%forest and woodland: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants presentshuman health risks; acid rain damaging forestsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed,but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 5,374,362 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 605,379; female 579,232)15-64 years: 67% (male 1,777,100; female 1,812,555)65 years and over: 11% (male 234,377; female 365,719) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.62 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.01 years male: 69.01 years female: 77.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak
Ethnic divisions: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%,Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Slovak Republicconventional short form: Slovakialocal long form: Slovenska Republikalocal short form: Slovensko
Data code: LO
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bratislava
Administrative divisions: 4 departments (kraje, singular - kraj)Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: Slovak Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993) waselected for a five-year term by the National Parliament; electionlast held 8 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since 12December 1994) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on recommendation ofthe prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Parliament (Narodni Rada): elections last held 30September-1 October 1994 (next to be held by October 1998); results- HZDS 35%, SDL 10.4%, Hungarian coalition (Hungarian ChristianDemocrats, Hungarian Civic Party, Coexistence) 10.2%, KDH 10.1%, DU8.6%, ZRS 7.3%, SNS 5.4%; seats - (150 total) governing coalition 83(HZDS 61, ZRS 13, SNS 9), opposition 67 (SDL 18, Hungarian coalition17, KDH 17, DU 15)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the NationalParliament
Political parties and leaders: Movement for a Democratic Slovakia(HZDS), Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Common Choice/Party of theDemocratic Left (SDL), Peter WEISS, chairman; Hungarian ChristianDemocrats, Vojtech BUGAR; Hungarian Civic Party; Coexistence, MiklosDURAY, chairman; Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), JanCARNOGURSKY; Democratic Union (DU), Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman;Association of Slovak Workers (ZRS), Jan LUPTAK, chairman; SlovakNational Party (SNS), Jan SLOTA, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Green Party; Social DemocraticParty of Slovakia; Slovak Christian Union
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,BSEC (observer), CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEMIII, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner),WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Branislav LICHARDUSchancery: (temporary) Suite 380, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 965-5161FAX: [1] (202) 965-5166
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph JOHNSONembassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [42] (7) 533-0861, 533-3338FAX: [42] (7) 533-5439
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Since its separation from the Czech Republic on 1 January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally controlled economy to a modern market-oriented economy. Macroeconomic performance improved steadily in 1994 and 1995 - with 4.8% and 6% growth, respectively. But privatization progressed only in fits and starts. Strong export performance boosted growth in both years, with consumption and investment rebounding. Unemployment fell to 12.8% in November 1995, the lowest level since mid-1993, and inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to 7.5% in 1995. The federal government deficit fell from 7% of GDP in 1993 to less than 2% in 1994-95, as growth boosted revenues. Positive international financial performance led Standard & Poor's to raise its rating of the National Bank of Slovakia's foreign currency debt to just one step below investment grade. The trade and current accounts are both in surplus, and foreign currency reserves held by the central bank have climbed to $3.5 billion. Foreign debt of $4.6 billion - about the same as Romania's - is the lowest in Central and Eastern Europe and the second lowest per capita. Bratislava made the Slovak crown convertible for current account transactions on 1 October 1995. Slovakia continued to have difficulty attracting foreign investment, however, because of perceived political uncertainty and vacillations in privatization policy. The government as well as the OECD projects 5% growth in 1996 and 1997.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $39 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 6.7% industry: 47.6% services: 45.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.484 million by occupation: industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communication and other 44.3% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 13% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $6.1 billionexpenditures: $6.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate: 7.8% (January-August 1995)
Electricity: capacity: 6,300,000 kW production: 20.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,609 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; hogs,cattle, poultry; forest products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroinbound for Western Europe
Exports: $8.8 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, and metals; agricultural products partners: Czech Republic 35.4%, Germany 18.9%, Austria 5.0%, Italy 4.7%, Hungary 4.6%, Poland 4.4%, Russia 3.6%, Ukraine 2.1%, France 2.0%, Netherlands 1.7% (January-October 1995)
Imports: $8.7 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1995)commodities: machinery and transport equipment; fuels andlubricants; manufactured goods; raw materials; chemicals;agricultural productspartners: Czech Republic 28.1%, Russia 16.8%, Germany 14.3%, Austria5.2%, Italy 4.5%, Poland 2.9%, US 2.3%, France 2.3%, Hungary 2.2%,Netherlands 1.7%, Ukraine 1.5% (January-October 1995)
External debt: $4.6 billion hard currency indebtedness (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $104 million (1993)
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 29.587 (August 1995), 29.447 (November 1994), 32.045 (1994), 30.770 (1993), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991); note - values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rate
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 3,660 kmbroad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1378 km electrified)narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1995)
Highways: total: 17,737 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 172 km on the Danube
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine:total: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,010 GRT/22,039DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 37with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 4with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10with unpaved runways under 914 m: 11 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there is 1 station of NA type
Radios: 1.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 1.6 million (1994 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense,Railroad Units
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,442,321 males fit for military service: 1,104,901 males reach military age (18) annually: 48,695 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $430 million, 3.0% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Slovenia ————
Map —-
Location: 46 00 N, 15 00 E — Southeastern Europe, bordering theAdriatic Sea, between Croatia and Italy
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenCroatia and Italy
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 20,256 sq kmland area: 20,256 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,207 kmborder countries: Austria 324 km, Croatia 546 km, Italy 235 km,Hungary 102 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: maritime border dispute with Croatia overdirect access to the sea in the Adriatic; the border issue iscurrently under negotiation
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climatewith mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus andvalleys to the east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountainregion adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerousrivers to the eastlowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium,silver
Land use:arable land: 10%permanent crops: 2%meadows and pastures: 20%forest and woodland: 45%other: 23%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrialwaste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxicchemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originatingat metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rainnatural hazards: flooding and earthquakesinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Climate Change,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
People ———
Population: 1,951,443 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17% (male 172,778; female 163,695)15-64 years: 70% (male 682,501; female 678,781)65 years and over: 13% (male 91,819; female 161,869) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 8.27 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.09 years male: 71.4 years female: 79 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%,other 3%
Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2%
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form: Slovenialocal long form: Republika Slovenijelocal short form: Slovenija
Data code: SI
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Ljubljana
Administrative divisions: 60 provinces (pokajine, singular -pokajina) Ajdovscina, Brezice, Celje, Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd,Gornja Radgona, Grosuplje, Hrastnik Lasko, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica,Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik, Kocevje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Lenart,Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center,Ljubljana-Moste-Polje, Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik,Ljutomer, Logatec, Maribor, Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, NovaGorica, Novo Mesto, Ormoz, Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje ObDravi, Radovljica, Ravne Na Koroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur PriCelju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skofja Loka, Slovenj Gradec, SlovenskaBistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje Pri Jelsah, Tolmin, Trbovlje,Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika, Zagorje Ob Savi, Zalec
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: National Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990) wasreelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election lastheld 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - MilanKUCAN reelectedhead of government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May1992) was nominated by the president and elected by the NationalAssemblycabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime ministerand elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral; advisory National CouncilNational Assembly: elections last held 6 December 1992 (next to beheld Fall 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (90total) LDS 22, SKD 15, ZLSD 14, SNS 12, SLS 10, DSS 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4,Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1; note - seating as ofJanuary 1996 is as follows: LDS 30, SKD 15, ZLSD 14, SLS 12, DSS 4,SDSS 4, SNS 4, SND 3, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1,independents 2National Council: the Council is an advisory body with no directlegislative powers; in the election of 6 December 1992, 40 memberswere elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomicinterests (next election to be held NA Fall 1996)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the NationalAssembly on recommendation of the Judicial Council; ConstitutionalCourt, judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assemblyand nominated by the president
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic (LDS), Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Slovene Christian Democrats (SKD), Lozje PETERLE, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDSS), Janez JANSA, chairman; Slovene People's Party (SLS), Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; United List (former Communists and allies - ZLSD), Janez KOCIJANCIC, chairman; Slovene National Party (SNS), Zmago JELINCIC, chairman; Democratic Party (DSS), Tone PERSAK, chairman; Greens of Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT, chairman, note - Greens merged with the LDS; Slovene National Right (SND), Saso LAP, chairman note: parties have changed as of the December 1992 elections
Other political or pressure groups: none
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ernest PETRIC chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Victor JACKOVICHembassy: address NA, Ljubljanamailing address: P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljana;American Embassy, Ljubljana, Department of State, Washington, DC20521-7140telephone: [386] (61) 301-427, 472, 485FAX: [386] (61) 301-401
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Slovenia appears to be making a solid economic recovery, fulfilling the promise it showed at the time of Yugoslavia's breakup. Its per capita GDP is now the highest in Central and Eastern Europe and not far below the levels in the poorer West European countries. Slovenia has benefited from strong ties to Western Europe and suffered comparatively small physical damage during Yugoslavia's breakup. The beginning was difficult, however. Real GDP fell 15% in 1991-92, while inflation soared to 200% in 1992 and unemployment reached 9%. The turning point came in 1993, when real GDP grew 1%, unemployment leveled off, and inflation slowed dramatically. In 1994, real GDP rose 5.5%, tapering off to an estimated 4.8% in 1995, while inflation and unemployment both were down to about 8% by late 1995. The government gets good marks from foreign observers for fiscal policy - the budget deficit has not exceeded 1% of GDP in any year since 1991, and the current account balance has remained in surplus throughout the transition period, with the exception of 1995. The Slovene privatization program, which began in 1994, involves about 1,400 firms, but only 412 have been privatized. The rest are expected to reach private hands by end-1996, but that does not include firms in so-called strategic industries, such as telecommunications and energy. Foreign investment jumped to an estimated $150 million in 1995 from $83.7 million in 1994. With inflation and unemployment expected to continue edging down, the outlook for 1996 is generally good. A slowdown in Western Europe - which buys 70% of Slovenia's exports - could hurt exports, however, lowering GDP growth to about 4% and perhaps pushing the current account into a small deficit.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $22.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $11,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 5.3% industry: 39.9% services: 54.8% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (December 1995 est.)
Labor force: 786,036 by occupation: agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%
Unemployment rate: 8% (December 1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $6.6 billionexpenditures: $6.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993)
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminumreduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics(including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment,wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 2,700,000 kW production: 8.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,470 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes;cattle, sheep, poultry
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound forWestern Europe
Exports: $8.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: machinery and transport equipment 27%, intermediatemanufactured goods 26%, chemicals 9%, food 4.8%, raw materials 3%,consumer goods 26% (1993)partners: Germany 30.9%, former Yugoslavia 14.0%, Italy 14.1%,France 8.9%, Austria 6.4%, CEFTA (Central European Free TradeAgreement) countries 5% (January-August 1995 est.)
Imports: $9.1 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 30%, intermediate manufactured goods 17.6%, chemicals 11.5%, raw materials 5.3%, fuels and lubricants 10.8%, food 8.4% (1993) partners: Germany 23.3%, Italy 16.8%, former Yugoslavia 7.0%, France 8.5%, Austria 9.7% (January-August 1995 est.)
External debt: $2.9 billion (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $5 million (1993)
Currency: 1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates: tolars (SlT) per US$1 - 121.27 (November 1995), 118.9 (1995), 128.81 (1994), 113.24 (1993), 81.29 (1992), 27.57 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 499 km) (1994)
Highways:total: 14,794 kmpaved: 13,314 km (including 187 km of expressways)unpaved: 1,480 km (1994 est.)
Waterways: NA
Pipelines: crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports: Izola, Koper, Piran
Merchant marine:total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 229,727 GRT/290,456 DWT(controlled by Slovenian owners)ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 1, container 4note: ships operate under the flags of Saint Vincent and theGrenadines, Singapore, Liberia, and Antigua and Barbuda; no shipsremain under the Slovenian flag (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 14with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 5with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 527,800 (1993 est.)