Location: 78 00 N, 20 00 E — Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Flag ——
Description: the flag of Norway is used
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean,Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:total area: 62,049 sq kmland area: 62,049 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginianote: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,587 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway butnot recognized by Russiaterritorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute in theBarents Sea between Norway and Russia
Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year
Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc,wildlife, fish
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100% (no trees and the only bushes are crowberry andcloudberry)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: ice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund(a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionallymake parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime trafficinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area
People ———
Population: 2,715 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -4.01% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Ethnic divisions: Russian and Ukrainian 62%, Norwegian 38%, otherNEGL% (1994)
Languages: Russian, Norwegian
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard
Data code: SV
Type of government: territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway
Capital: Longyearbyen
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
National holiday: NA
Legal system: NA
Executive branch:Chief of State: King HARALD V (of Norway since 17 January 1991) is ahereditary monarchHead of Government: Governor Ann-Krisitin OLSEN (since NA) andAssistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN (since NA September 1993) areresponsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justicenote: Norwegian inhabitants participate in Norwegian nationalelections
International organization participation: none
Flag: the flag of Norway is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9 February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus.
Labor force: NA
Budget:revenues: $11.6 millionexpenditures: $11.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Electricity:capacity: 21,000 kWproduction: 45 million kWhconsumption per capita: 13,860 kWh (1992)
Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.4160 (January 1996), 6.3352 (1995), 7.0576 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992), 6.4829 (1991)
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 4with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:domestic: local telephone serviceinternational: satellite earth station - 1 of NA type (forcommunication with Norwegian mainland only)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 2), shortwave 0note: there are five meteorological/radio stations
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
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@Swaziland ————-
Map —-
Location: 26 30 S, 31 30 E — Southern Africa, between Mozambiqueand South Africa
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 17,360 sq kmland area: 17,200 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower,forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:arable land: 11%permanent crops: NEGLmeadows and pastures: 62%forest and woodland: 7%other: 20%
Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment:current issues: limited access to potable water; wildlifepopulations being depleted because of excessive hunting;overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosionnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by SouthAfrica
People ———
Population: 998,730 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46% (male 227,634; female 229,129)15-64 years: 52% (male 247,156; female 271,096)65 years and over: 2% (male 9,864; female 13,851) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 88.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.26 years male: 53.25 years female: 61.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.05 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi
Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3%
Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%
Languages: English (official, government business conducted inEnglish), siSwati (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 76.7%male: 78%female: 75.6%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland
Data code: WZ
Type of government: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
Capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini,Shiselweni
Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978,but has not been formally presented to the people
Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutorycourts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA; note - no suffrage before September 1993; 55 of the65 seats in the House of Assembly were filled by popular vote in theelections of September and October 1993; of a population of lessthan 1 million, the electorate numbered 283,693
Executive branch:chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) is ahereditary monarchhead of government: Prime Minister Prince Jameson Mbilini DLAMINI(since 12 November 1993); appointed by the kingcabinet: Cabinet; designated by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament is advisory Senate: consists of 30 members (10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the king) House of Assembly: elections last held 26 September and 11 October 1993 (next to be held NA); results - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; of the total of 65 seats, 10 are appointed by the king and 55 are elected by secret, popular vote; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch: High Court, judges are appointed by the king;Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders:note: political parties are banned by the constitution promulgatedon 13 October 1978; illegal parties are prohibited from holdinglarge public gatheringsillegal parties: Peoples' United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), MarioMASUKU; Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), Benedict TSABEDZE;Swaziland Communist Party (SWACOPA), Mphandlana SHONGWE; SwazilandLiberation Front (FROLISA); Convention for Full Democracy inSwaziland (COFUDESWA), Sabelo DLAMINI; Swaziland National Front(SWANAFRO); Ngwane Socialist Revolutionary Party (NGWASOREP)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KHANYA chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683, 6685 FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John T. SPROTT embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 46441 through 46445 FAX: [268] 45959
Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Economy ———-
Economic overview: This small landlocked economy is based largely on subsistence agriculture, which occupies more than 60% of the population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978, and health concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugar and forestry products are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it receives 90% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its exports. Remittances from Swazi workers in South African mines supplement domestically produced income by as much as 20%. Overgrazing, soil depletion, and drougth persist as problems for the future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 40% services: 35% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 160,355 (1986 est.) by occupation: private sector about 65%, public sector 35%
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $342 millionexpenditures: $410 million, including capital expenditures of $130million (1994 est.)
Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1993 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 120,000 kW production: 410 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,003 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus,pineapples, corn, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Exports: $798 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: sugar, edible concentrates, wood pulp, cotton yarn,asbestospartners: South Africa 50%, EU countries, Canada
Imports: $827 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment,petroleum products, foodstuffs, chemicalspartners: South Africa 90%, Switzerland, UK 2.6%
External debt: $240 million (1992)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: emalangeni (E) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990); note - the Swazi emalangeni is at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 297 km; note - includes 71 km which are not in usenarrow gauge: 297 km 1.067-m gauge (single track)
Highways: total: 2,960 km paved: 804 km unpaved: 2,156 km (1993 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:total: 17with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 10with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 30,364 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines andlow-capacity, microwave radio relayinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 129,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 12,500 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal SwazilandPolice Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 220,097 males fit for military service: 127,285 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22 million, NA% of GDP (FY93/94)
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@Sweden ———
Map —-
Location: 62 00 N, 15 00 E — Northern Europe, bordering theBaltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Skagerrak, between Finland andNorway
Flag ——
Description: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography ————-
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf ofBothnia, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 449,964 sq kmland area: 410,928 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries: total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline: 3,218 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlinesterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber,uranium, hydropower potential
Land use:arable land: 7%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 2%forest and woodland: 64%other: 27%
Irrigated land: 1,120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of theNorth Sea and the Baltic Seanatural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially inthe Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime trafficinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along Danish Straits linkingBaltic and North Seas
People ———
Population: 8,900,954 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (male 860,940; female 815,967)15-64 years: 64% (male 2,884,687; female 2,794,593)65 years and over: 17% (male 654,439; female 890,328) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.55 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.06 years male: 75.62 years female: 80.63 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Swede(s)adjective: Swedish
Ethnic divisions: white, Lapp (Sami), foreign-born orfirst-generation immigrants 12% (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes,Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%,Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987)
Languages: Swedishnote: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)total population: 99%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Kingdom of Swedenconventional short form: Swedenlocal long form: Konungariket Sverigelocal short form: Sverige
Data code: SW
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Stockholm
Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (lan, singular and plural);Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan, Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och BohusLan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan, Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan,Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan, Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan,Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan,Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan,Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan, VastmanlandsLan
Independence: 6 June 1523, Gustav VASA was elected king; 6 June1809, a constitutional monarchy was established
National holiday: Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June
Constitution: 1 January 1975
Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973) is aconstitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid AliceDesiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July 1977)head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March1996) was elected by the Riksdagcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameralParliament (Riksdag): elections last held 18 September 1994 (next tobe held NA September 1998); results - Social Democrats 45.4%,Moderate Party (Conservatives) 22.3%, Center Party 7.7%, Liberals7.2%, Left Party 6.2%, Greens 5.8%, Christian Democrats 4.1%, NewDemocracy Party 1.2%; seats - (349 total) Social Democrats 162,Moderate Party (Conservatives) 80, Center Party 27, Liberals 26,Left Party 22, Greens 18, Christian Democrats 14; note - the NewDemocracy Party did not receive a seat because parties require aminimum of 4.0% of votes for a seat in parliament
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen), judges areappointed by the government (prime minister and cabinet)
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, GoranPERSSON; Moderate Party (conservative), Carl BILDT; Liberal People'sParty, Maria LEISSNER; Center Party, Olof JOHANSSON; ChristianDemocratic Party, Alf SVENSSON; New Democracy Party, VivianneFRANZEN; Left Party (VP; Communist), Gudrun SCHYMAN; CommunistWorkers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leader but partyspokesperson is Briger SCHLAUG
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB,ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 8, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NC,NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP,UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Henrik Sihver LILJEGRENchancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas L. SIEBERTembassy: Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholmmailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [46] (8) 783 53 00FAX: [46] (8) 661 19 64
Flag: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Aided by peace and neutrality during World War I through World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately-owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. In 1993, agriculture accounted for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by budgetary difficulties, inflation, growing unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. In November 1992, Sweden broke its tie to the EC's ECU (European Currency Unit), and depreciation of the krona has boosted export competitiveness and helped lift Sweden out of its 1991-93 recession. To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy, the government adopted an adjustment program in November 1994 that aims to eliminate the government budget deficit and to stabilize the debt to GDP ratio. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $177.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 27% services: 71% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1995)
Labor force: 4.552 million (84% unionized, 1992) by occupation: community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 7.8% (December 1995) plus about 6% in trainingprograms
Budget:revenues: $109.4 billionexpenditures: $146.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY95/96)
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 11.7% (1994)
Electricity: capacity: 34,560,000 kW production: 141 billion kWh consumption per capita: 14,891 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics shipped via theformer Soviet Republics and Baltic states for the European market
Exports: $61.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp andwood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleumproductspartners: EU 59.1% (Germany 13.2%, UK 10.2%, Denmark 6.9%, France5.1%), Norway 8.1%, Finland 4.8%, US 8.0% (1994)
Imports: $51.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 18.4%, UK 9.5%, Denmark 6.6%, France 5.5%), Finland 6.3%, Norway 6.1%, US 8.5% (1994)
External debt: $66.5 billion (1994)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.769 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 6.7240 (January 1996), 7.1333 (1995), 7.7160 (1994), 7.7834 (1993), 5.8238 (1992), 6.0475 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 January - 31 December (Sweden changed its fiscalyear from 1 July - 30 June in 1995)
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 12,624 km (includes 953 km of privately-owned railways)standard gauge: 11,767 km 1.435-m gauge (7,320 km electrified and1,152 km double track)other: 857 km NA-m gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 135,859 kmpaved: 97,818 km (including 936 km of expressways)unpaved: 38,041 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges
Pipelines: natural gas 84 km
Ports: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar,Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Merchant marine:total: 169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,993,422GRT/2,183,215 DWTships by type: bulk 10, cargo 35, chemical tanker 24, combinationore/oil 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 32, railcar carrier 2,refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 38, short-sea passenger7, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 14 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 251with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 85with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 26with paved runways under 914 m: 127with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 7.41 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international facilities;automatic systemdomestic: coaxial and multiconductor cable carry most voice traffic;parallel microwave radio relay network carries some additionaltelephone channelsinternational: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations- 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlanticand Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earthstation with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland,and Norway)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 360 (mostly repeaters),shortwave 0
Radios: 7.272 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 880 (mostly repeaters)
Televisions: 3.5 million
Defense ———-
Branches: Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,133,816 males fit for military service: 1,867,031 males reach military age (19) annually: 51,357 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.8 billion, 2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)
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@Switzerland —————-
Map —-
Location: 47 00 N, 8 00 E — Central Europe, east of France
Flag ——
Description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross inthe center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, east of France
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 41,290 sq kmland area: 39,770 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,852 kmborder countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:arable land: 10%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 40%forest and woodland: 26%other: 23%
Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-airburning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use ofagricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversitynatural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floodsinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but notratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southernEurope; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, containsthe highest elevations in Europe
People ———
Population: 7,207,060 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17% (male 638,728; female 610,546)15-64 years: 68% (male 2,495,325; female 2,405,226)65 years and over: 15% (male 424,394; female 632,841) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.59% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.35 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.62 years male: 74.58 years female: 80.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.47 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss
Ethnic divisions:total population: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%,other 6%Swiss nationals: German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%,other 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1%(1980)
Languages: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other4%note: figures for Swiss nationals only: German 74%, French 20%,Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 99%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Swiss Confederationconventional short form: Switzerlandlocal long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German),Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera(Italian)
Data code: SZ
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Bern
Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
Independence: 1 August 1291
National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the SwissConfederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution: 29 May 1874
Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Jean-PascalDELAMURAZ (1996 calendar year; presidency rotates annually); VicePresident Arnold KOLLER (term runs concurrently with that ofpresident); the president is appointed each year from the FederalCouncil by the Federal Assemblycabinet: Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French - CenseilFederal, Italian - Consiglio Federale) was elected for a four-yearterm by the Federal Assembly from among its own members
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (German -Bundesversammlung, French - Assemblee Federale, Italian - AssembleaFederale)Council of States: (German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats,Italian - Consiglio degli Stati); elections last held throughout1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (46 total) PRD 17, PDC 17, UDC 4, PSS 3, LPS 3, LdU 1,Ticino League 1National Council: (German - Nationalrat, French - Conseil National,Italian - Consiglio Nazionale); elections last held 20 October 1995(next to be held NA October 1999); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (200 total) PRD 45, PSS 54, PDC 34, UDC 30, GPS 8,LPS 7, FPS 6, LdU 6, SD 3, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2
Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court, judges elected forsix-year terms by the Federal Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Radical Free Democratic Party(PRD), Franz STEINEGGER, president; Social Democratic Party (PSS),Peter BODENMANN, president; Christian Democratic People's Party(PDC), Anton COTTIER, president; Swiss People's Party (UDC), HansUHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS), Verena DIENER, president;Freedom Party (FPS), Roland BORER; Liberal Party (LPS), ChristophEYMANN, president; Alliance of Independents' Party (LdU), MonicaWEBER, president; Ticino League, Giuliano BIGNASCA, president; andother minor parties including Swiss Democratic Party (SD), Workers'Party (PdA), and the Evangelical People's Party (EVP); note - seeelections
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA,FAO, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,OSCE, PCA, UN (observer), UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNITAR, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Carlo JAGMETTIchancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, NewYork, Pago Pago (American Samoa), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)embassy: Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bernmailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [41] (31) 357 70 11FAX: [41] (31) 357 73 44consulate(s) general: Zurich
Flag: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in thecenter that does not extend to the edges of the flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Switzerland, a fundamentally prosperous and stable modern economy with a per capita GDP roughly 10% above that of the big West European economies, is experiencing short-term difficulties. After recovering slowly in 1994-95 from recession, the Swiss economy remains weak, mainly because of the strong Swiss franc and weak growth in Swiss export market, especially in other European countries. Over the near term, growth may average barely 1%, with more than one-half of this increase resulting from growth in inventories. Weak domestic consumer demand is the principal culprit; stagnation in real disposable income is combining with a reluctance to reduce saving rates in the face of an uncertain employment outlook. Switzerland's leading sectors, including financial services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and special-purpose machines, will therefore be more reliant on export markets at the same time they are being squeezed by the strong franc. Consequently, growth in machinery and equipment investment, for example, is expected to taper off. On the other side, import growth has been fueled by the strong franc; there are growing indications that Swiss manufacturers are substituting imported inputs for domestic ones.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $158.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $22,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 33.5% services: 63.5% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.48 million (900,000 foreign workers, mostly Italian) by occupation: services 50%, industry and crafts 34%, government 10%, agriculture and forestry 6% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 3.3% (1995)
Budget:revenues: $31 billionexpenditures: $36.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995)
Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precisioninstruments
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 15,430,000 kW production: 58 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,699 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transit country for SouthAmerican cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $69.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metalproducts, foodstuffs, textiles and clothingpartners: Western Europe 63.1% (EU countries 56%, other 7.1%), US8.8%, Japan 3.4%
Imports: $68.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: agricultural products, machinery and transportationequipment, chemicals, textiles, construction materialspartners: Western Europe 79.2% (EU countries 72.3%, other 6.9%), US6.4%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:donor: ODA, $793 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes,rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.1810 (January 1996), 1.1825 (1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 5,719 km (1,432 km double track)standard gauge: 3,283 km 1.435-m gauge (99% electrified; 310 kmnongovernment owned)narrow gauge: 1,255 km 1.000-m gauge (99% electrified; 1,181 kmnongovernment owned)other: 1,181 km NA-m gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 71,118 kmpaved: 71,118 km (including 1,514 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen toBodensee); 12 navigable lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km
Ports: Basel
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 410,581 GRT/727,744 DWTships by type: bulk 14, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 2,roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 67with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5with paved runways under 914 m: 40with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 5,622,976 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international services domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 265, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 18 (repeaters 1,322)
Televisions: 2.513 million (1994 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Air Force and Antiaircraft Command, FrontierGuards, Fortification Guards
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,893,587 males fit for military service: 1,623,414 males reach military age (20) annually: 41,425 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.74 billion, 1.4% of GDP (1995)
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@Syria ——-
Map —-
Location: 35 00 N, 38 00 E — Middle East, bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
Geography ————-
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenLebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 185,180 sq kmland area: 184,050 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than North Dakotanote: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Land boundaries:total: 2,253 kmborder countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 41 nm territorial sea: 35 nm
International disputes: Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Hatay question with Turkey; dispute over Turkey's water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976
Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically hitting Damascus
Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganeseores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum
Land use:arable land: 28%permanent crops: 3%meadows and pastures: 46%forest and woodland: 3%other: 20%
Irrigated land: 10,000 sq km (1992)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage andwastes from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable waternatural hazards: dust storms, sandstormsinternational agreements: party to - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but notratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Environmental Modification
Geographic note: there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1995 est.)
People ———
Population: 15,608,648 (July 1996 est.)note: in addition, there are 31,300 people living in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights - 16,500 Arabs (15,000 Druze and1,500 Alawites) and 14,800 Israeli settlers (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47% (male 3,738,671; female 3,557,474)15-64 years: 50% (male 4,013,355; female 3,843,466)65 years and over: 3% (male 227,249; female 228,433) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.37% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.86 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: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.13 years male: 65.94 years female: 68.38 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.91 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian
Ethnic divisions: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic,Circassian, French widely understood
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 70.8%male: 85.7%female: 55.8%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republicconventional short form: Syrialocal long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyahlocal short form: Suriyahformer: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
Data code: SY
Type of government: republic under military regime since March 1963
Capital: Damascus
Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular -muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, AsSuwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib,Rif Dimashq, Tartus
Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate underFrench administration)
National holiday: National Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution: 13 March 1973
Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971; seenote) was reelected for a seven-year term by universal suffrage;election last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NA December1998); results - President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourthseven-year term with 99.98% of the vote; note - President ASADseized power in the November 1970 coup, assumed presidential powers22 February 1971, and was confirmed as president in the 12 March1971 national elections; Vice Presidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn SaidKHADDAM (since NA), Rifaat al-ASAD (since NA), and Muhammad ZuhayrMASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) were appointed by the presidenthead of government: Prime Minister Mahmud ZUBI (since 1 November1987), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March1984), Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981), and Rashid AKHTARINI(since 4 July 1992) were appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president