Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab): elections last held 24-25 August 1994 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (250 total) National Progressive Front 167, independents 83
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court, justices areappointed for four-year terms by the president; High JudicialCouncil; Court of Cassation; State Security Courts
Political parties and leaders:National Progressive Front includes: the ruling Arab SocialistRenaissance (Ba'th) Party, Hafiz al-ASAD, president of the republic,secretary general of the party, and chairman of the NationalProgressive Front; Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), 'Abd al-GhaniKANNUT; Arab Socialist Union (ASU), Jamal ATASSI; Syrian CommunistParty (SCP), Wisal FARHAH; Arab Socialist Unionist Movement, SamiSOUFAN; and Democratic Socialist Union Party, Ghassan UTHMAN
Other political or pressure groups: non-Ba'th parties have littleeffective political influence; Communist party ineffective;conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Walid MUALEMchancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 333-2814, 333-0788, 332-0783 FAX: [963] (11) 224-7938
Flag: 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
Economy ———-
Economic overview: During 1990-92 Syria's state-dominated economy benefited from the Gulf war, increased oil production, good weather, and economic reform. Economic growth averaged roughly 10%. The war led to a Syrian aid windfall of nearly $5 billion from Arab, European, and Japanese donors. Most positive economic trends ended in 1993 due to the dissipation of the Gulf war boom, a domestic financial crisis, and economic policy missteps. Economic growth has dropped below 5%, income inequality is increasing, the government budget deficit is growing, and international accounts are weakening. For the long run, Syria's economy is saddled with a large number of poorly performing public sector firms and low industrial productivity. Oil production is likely to ebb by the end of the decade. Unemployment will likely rise as the more than 60% of the population under age 20 moves into the labor force. The economic benefits of any peace treaty with Israel will depend in large part on the pace of economic reform.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $91.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 25% services: 45% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.1% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 4.7 million (1995 est.) by occupation: services 42%, industry 36%, agriculture 22% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.5 billionexpenditures: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco,phosphate rock mining, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 4,160,000 kW production: 13.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 865 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas; beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk
Illicit drugs: a transit point for Lebanese and Turkish refined cocaine going to Europe and heroin and hashish bound for regional and Western markets
Exports: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: petroleum 66%, cotton, fruits and vegetables 14%,textiles 9%, animal products 4%, industrial products 3%partners: EU 61%, Arab countries 24%, former CEMA countries, China,Yugoslavia 5%, US and Canada 3% (1993 est.)
Imports: $5.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: machinery 25%, metal products 16%, transport equipment15%, foodstuffs 12%, textiles 10%partners: EU 37%, former CEMA countries, China, Yugoslavia 17%, USand Canada 7%, Arab countries 6% (1993 est.)
External debt: $21.2 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $259 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Syrian pound (LS) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (LS) per US$1 - 11.225 (official fixed rate), 26.6 ("blended rate" used by the UN and diplomatic missions), 42.0 ("neighboring country rate" - applies to most state enterprise imports), 48.0 - 52.0 (offshore rate) (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 1,998 kmbroad gauge: 1,766 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 232 km 1.050-m gauge
Highways:total: 31,569 kmpaved: 24,308 km (including 712 km of expressways)unpaved: 7,261 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: 870 km; minimal economic importance
Pipelines: crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 km
Ports: Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus
Merchant marine:total: 99 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 294,355 GRT/454,990 DWTships by type: bulk 12, cargo 85, livestock carrier 1, vehiclecarrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 99with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 62with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 541,465 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.392 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 17
Televisions: 700,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab AirForce, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 3,590,557 males fit for military service: 2,011,610 males reach military age (19) annually: 164,598 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $875 million, 8% of GDP (1994 est.); note - based on official budget data that understate actual spending
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@Taiwan ———
Map —-
Location: 23 30 N, 121 00 E — Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Flag ——
Description: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upperhoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea,Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of thePhilippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 35,980 sq kmland area: 32,260 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delawarecombinednote: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,448 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: involved in complex dispute over theSpratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, andpossibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed byVietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (SenkakuIslands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan
Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon(June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,997 m
Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone,marble, and asbestos
Land use:arable land: 24%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 5%forest and woodland: 55%other: 15%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, rawsewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies;trade in endangered speciesnatural hazards: earthquakes and typhoonsinternational agreements: signed, but not ratified - Marine LifeConservation
People ———
Population: 21,465,881 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (male 2,605,495; female 2,436,864)15-64 years: 69% (male 7,505,344; female 7,252,188)65 years and over: 8% (male 907,310; female 758,680) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.89% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.02 years male: 73.43 years female: 78.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Chinese (singular and plural)adjective: Chinese
Ethnic divisions: Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%,Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakkadialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 86%male: 93%female: 79%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan
Data code: TW
Type of government: multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized in March 1989
Capital: Taipei
Administrative divisions: some of the ruling party in Taipei claimto be the government of all China; in keeping with that claim, thecentral administrative divisions include 2 provinces (sheng,singular and plural) and 2 municipalities* (shih, singular andplural) - Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Provinceincluding Quemoy and Matsu), Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (theisland of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); note - the morecommonly referenced administrative divisions are those of TaiwanProvince - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 specialmunicipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua,Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan,Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung,T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**,T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is atChung-hsing-hsin-ts'unnote: Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization
National holiday: National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary ofthe Revolution)
Constitution: 1 January 1947, amended in 1992, presentlyundergoing revision
Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President LI Teng-hui (succeeded to the presidencyfollowing the death of President CHIANG Ching-kuo 13 January 1988,elected by the National Assembly 21 March 1990, reelected by popularvote in the first-ever direct elections for president 23 March1996); election last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA 2000);results - LI Teng-hui 54%, PENG Ming-min 21%, LIN Yang-kang 15%, andCHEN Li-an 10%; Vice President-elect LIEN Chan (to be inaugurated 20May 1996)head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIENChan (since 23 February 1993) and Vice Premier (Vice President ofthe Executive Yuan) HSU Li-teh (since 23 February 1993) wereappointed by the president; note - LIEN Chan will continue to serveas premier until 20 May 1996 when he will be inaugurated as vicepresident; a new premier is expected to be appointed sometime in May1996cabinet: Executive Yuan was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan and unicameralNational AssemblyLegislative Yuan: elections last held 2 December 1995 (next to beheld NA December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats- (164 total) KMT 85, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 4; note - sincethe election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats -KMT 83, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 6National Assembly: elections last held 23 March 1996 (next to beheld NA 2000); results - KMT 55%, DPP 30%, CNP 14%, other 1%; seats- (334 total) KMT 183, DPP 99, CNP 46, other 6
Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan, justices nominated and appointedfor nine-year terms by the president
Political parties and leaders: Kuomintang (KMT, NationalistParty), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),leader NA; Chinese New Party (CNP), leader NA; Labor Party (LP),leader NA
Other political or pressure groups: Taiwan independence movement,various environmental groupsnote: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within themainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalizationand the increased representation of the opposition DemocraticProgressive Party in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debateon the island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence,both within the DPP and the ruling Kuomintang, oppose the rulingparty's traditional stand that the island will eventually unify withmainland China; the aims of the Taiwan independence movement includeestablishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; otherorganizations supporting Taiwan independence include the WorldUnited Formosans for Independence and the Organization for TaiwanNation Building
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC,IOC, WCL, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other US cities
US diplomatic representation: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through a private institution, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, FAX [886] (2) 702-7675, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX [886] (7) 223-8237, and the American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 720-1550
Flag: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-sidecorner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable government guidance of investment and foreign trade and partial government ownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Export growth has been even faster and has provided the impetus for industrialization. Inflation and unemployment are low. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GDP, down from 35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major trading countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $290.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $13,510 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 37.3% services: 59.1% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8.874 million by occupation: services 49%, industry 39%, agriculture 11% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.6% (1995)
Budget:revenues: $30.3 billionexpenditures: $30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1991 est.)
Industries: electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood, sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 21,460,000 kW production: 108 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,789 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish catch increasing, reached 1.4 million metric tons in 1988
Illicit drugs: an important heroin transit point; also a drug money laundering center
Exports: $93 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: electrical machinery 19.7%, electronic products 19.6%, textiles 10.9%, footwear 3.3%, foodstuffs 1.0%, plywood and wood products 0.9% (1993 est.) partners: US 27.6%, Hong Kong 21.7%, EU countries 15.2%, Japan 10.5% (1994 est.)
Imports: $85.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment 15.7%, electronic products 15.6%, chemicals 9.8%, iron and steel 8.5%, crude oil 3.9%, foodstuffs 2.1% (1993 est.) partners: Japan 30.1%, US 21.7%, EU countries 17.6% (1993 est.)
External debt: $620 million (1992 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 27.4 (1995), 26.2 (1994), 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992), 25.748 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 4,600 km; note - 1,075 km in common carrier service and about3,525 km is dedicated to industrial usenarrow gauge: 4,600 km 1.067-m
Highways:total: 19,860 kmpaved: 17,119 km (including 382 km of expressways)unpaved: 2,741 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: petroleum products 615 km; natural gas 97 km
Ports: Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung
Merchant marine:total: 198 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,812,534GRT/8,885,092 DWTships by type: bulk 50, cargo 29, combination bulk 3, combinationore/oil 1, container 83, oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 11,roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 38with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 12with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6with paved runways under 914 m: 7with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 10,253,773 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: best developed system in Asia outside of Japandomestic: extensive microwave radio relay trunk system on east andwest coastsinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 PacificOcean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa),Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia,Middle East, and Western Europe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 23, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.62 million
Television broadcast stations: 15 (repeaters 13)
Televisions: 6.66 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 6,278,159 males fit for military service: 4,849,057 males reach military age (19) annually: 204,313 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion, 3.6% of GDP (FY96/97)
======================================================================
@Tajikistan —————
Tajikistan has experienced three changes of government since it gained independence in September 1991. The current president, Emomali RAHMONOV, was elected in November 1994, yet has been in power since 1992. The country is suffering through its third year of a civil conflict, with no clear end in sight. Underlying the conflict are deeply rooted regional and clan-based animosities that pit a government consisting of people primarily from the Kulob (Kulyab), Khujand (Leninabad), and Hisor (Hissar) regions against a secular and Islamic-led opposition from the Gharm, Gorno-Badakhshan, and Qurghonteppa (Kurgan-Tyube) regions. Government and opposition representatives have held periodic rounds of UN-mediated peace talks and agreed in September 1994 to a cease-fire which has been periodically extended. Russian-led peacekeeping troops are deployed throughout the country, and Russian-commanded border guards are stationed along the Tajik-Afghan border.
Map —-
Location: 39 00 N, 71 00 E — Central Asia, west of China
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe
Geography ————-
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:total area: 143,100 sq kmland area: 142,700 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries:total: 3,651 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: boundary with China in dispute; territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara Valley area; Afghanistan's and other foreign support to Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil war based in northern Afghanistan
Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Terrain: Pamir and Altai Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest lowest point: Syrdariya 300 m highest point: Qullai Kommunizm 7,495 m
Natural resources: significant hydropower potential, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten
Land use:arable land: 6%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 23%forest and woodland: 0%other: 71%
Irrigated land: 6,940 sq km (1990)
Environment:current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levelsof soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides; partof the basin of the shrinking Aral Sea suffers from severeoverutilization of available water for irrigation and associatedpollutionnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 5,916,373 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 1,282,846; female 1,258,302)15-64 years: 53% (male 1,546,264; female 1,566,365)65 years and over: 4% (male 110,705; female 151,891) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.54% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 113.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.45 years male: 60.84 years female: 68.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tajik(s) adjective: Tajik
Ethnic divisions: Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 5%
Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government andbusiness
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)total population: 98%male: 99%female: 97%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistanconventional short form: Tajikistanlocal long form: Jumhurii Tojikistanlocal short form: noneformer: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: TI
Type of government: republic
Capital: Dushanbe
Administrative divisions: 2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod (Khujand - formerly Leninabad) note: the administrative center names are in parentheses
Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 9 September (1991)
Constitution: new constitution adopted 6 November 1994
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994;was Head of State and Assembly Chairman since NA November 1992) waselected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election lastheld 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - EmomaliRAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLAJANOV 40%head of government: Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February1996) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president whoproposes them to the Supreme Assembly for approval
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Majlisi Oli): elections last held 26 February and12 March 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of voteby party NA; estimated seats - (181 total) Communist Party andaffiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of People's Unity 6, Partyof Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by thepresident
Political parties and leaders: People's Party of Tajikistan,Abdumajid DOSTIYEV; Party of People's Unity, Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOR;Tajik Communist Party, Shodi SHABDOLOV; Democratic Party, JumaboyNIYAZOV, chairman; Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), Mohammed SharifHIMMATZODA, chairman; Rebirth (Rastokhez), Takhir ABDUZHABOROV; LaliBadakhshan Society, Atobek AMIRBEK; Tajikistan Party of Economic andPolitical Renewal (TPEPR); Citizenship, Patriotism, Unity Party,Bobokhon MAHMADOV; Adolatho "Justices" Party, Abdurahmon KARIMOV,chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Tajikistan Opposition Movementbased in northern Afghanistan, Seyed Abdullah NURI, chairman
International organization participation: CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO,ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat(nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US: Tajikistan does not have anembassy in the US, but has a mission at the UN: address - 136 East67th Street, New York, NY 10021, telephone - [1] (212) 472-7645, FAX- [1] (212) 628-0252
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador R. Grant SMITHembassy: interim chancery, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki,Dushanbe 734001mailing address: Octyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe,Tajikistan 734001telephone: [7] (3772) 21-03-56FAX: Telex (787) 20116
Flag: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Tajikistan had the next-to-lowest per capita GDP in the former USSR, the highest rate of population growth, and an extremely low standard of living. Agriculture dominates the economy, with cotton being the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry is limited to a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The Tajik economy has been gravely weakened by four years of civil conflict and by the loss of subsidies and markets for its products, which has left Tajikistan dependent on Russia and Uzbekistan and on international humanitarian assistance for much of its basic subsistence needs. Moreover, constant political turmoil and the continued dominance by former communist officials have impeded the introduction of meaningful economic reforms. The regime has made only halfhearted efforts to stabilize the economy and promote reform.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -12.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,040 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28% monthly average (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.95 million (1992) by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, government and services 24%, industry 14%, trade and communications 11%, construction 8% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 3.3% includes only officially registeredunemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers andunregistered unemployed people (December 1995)
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers,cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigeratorsand freezers
Industrial production growth rate: -5% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 3,800,000 kW production: 14.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,400 kWh (1995)
Agriculture: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy;mostly for CIS consumption; used as transshipment point for illicitdrugs from Southwest Asia to Western Europe and North America
Exports: $707 million (1995)commodities: cotton, aluminum, fruits, vegetable oil, textilespartners: Russia, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Imports: $690 million (1995) commodities: fuel, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, foodstuffs partners: Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan
External debt: $635 million (of which $250 million to Russia)(1995 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $22 million (1993)note: commitments, $885 million (disbursements $115 million)(1992-95)
Currency: introduced its own currency, the Tajik ruble, in May 1995
Exchange rates: Tajik rubles per US$1 - 284 (January 1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 480 km in common carrier service; does not include industriallines (1990)
Highways: total: 32,752 km paved: 21,119 km unpaved: 11,633 km (1992 est.)
Pipelines: natural gas 400 km (1992)
Ports: none
Airports:total: 59with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9with unpaved runways under 914 m: 36 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 303,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not reached by the national network domestic: cable and microwave radio relay international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics, and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there is one state-owned radio broadcast station
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 note: 1 Intelsat earth station provides TV receive-only service from Turkey
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: Army (being formed), Presidential National Guard,Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,358,106 males fit for military service: 1,115,149 males reach military age (18) annually: 58,691 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 180 billion rubles, 3.4% of GDP (1995)
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@Tanzania ————
Map —-
Location: 6 00 S, 35 00 E — Eastern Africa, bordering the IndianOcean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Flag ——
Description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, betweenKenya and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 945,090 sq kmland area: 886,040 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of Californianote: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Land boundaries:total: 3,402 kmborder countries: Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km,Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline: 1,424 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary dispute with Malawi in Lake Nyasa; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has been informally reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north,southlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, ironore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use:arable land: 5%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 40%forest and woodland: 47%other: 7%
Irrigated land: 1,530 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: soil degradation; deforestation; desertification;destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recentdroughts affected marginal agriculturenatural hazards: the tsetse fly and lack of water limit agriculture;flooding on the central plateau during the rainy seasoninternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, HazardousWastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification
Geographic note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa
People ———
Population: 29,058,470 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 6,536,911; female 6,576,752)15-64 years: 52% (male 7,360,370; female 7,739,500)65 years and over: 3% (male 396,128; female 448,809) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.47 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.) note: the total number of Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Tanzania is about 750,000
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 105.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.34 years male: 40.95 years female: 43.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.67 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian
Ethnic divisions:mainland: native African (95% Bantu, consisting of well over 100tribes) 99%, Asian, European, and Arab 1%Zanzibar: Arab, mixed Arab and native African, native African
Religions:mainland: Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 20%Zanzibar: Muslim more than 99%
Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili),English, or Arabic (1995 est.)total population: 67.8%male: 79.4%female: 56.8%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzaniaconventional short form: Tanzaniaformer: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Data code: TZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Dar es Salaamnote: some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, whichis planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s
Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam,Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro,Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma,Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, ZanzibarNorth, Zanzibar Urban/West, Ziwa Magharibi
Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar becameindependent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united withZanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika andZanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964)
Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Benjamin MKARA (since 22 November 1995)was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held29 October-19 November 1995 (next to be held 29 October 2000);results - Benjamin MKARA 62%, MREMA 28%, LIPUMBA 6%, CHEYO 4%; VicePresident Omar Ali JUMA (since 22 November 1995); President ofZanzibar Salmin AMOUR (since 27 October 1995); election last held 22October 1995 (next to be held 22 October 2000); results - SalminAMOUR 50.2%, HAMAD 49.8%head of government: Prime Minister Fredrick SUMAYE (since 27November 1995) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from the members ofthe National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Bunge): elections last held 29 October-19November 1995 (next to be held 29 October 2000); results - percentof total vote by party NA; seats - (274 total, 232 elected) CCM 186,opposition parties 46; of the 42 seats which are not elected someare filled by presidential appointment and others are designated bylaw for specific officials
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM orRevolutionary Party), Ali Hassan MWINYI; Civic United Front (CUF),Seif Sharif HAMAD; National Convention for Construction and Reform(NCCR), Lyatonga (Augustine) MREMA; Union for Multiparty Democracy(UMD), Abdullah FUNDIKIRA; Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo(CHADEMA), Edwin I. M. MTEI, chairman; Democratic Party(unregistered), Reverend MTIKLA; United Democratic Party (UDP), JohnCHEYO
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB,ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC,UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Mustafa Salim NYANG'ANYIchancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Brady ANDERSON embassy: 36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (51) 66010 through 66015 FAX: [255] (51) 66701
Flag: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for 58% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 5% of the land area. Industry accounts for 8% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The economic recovery program announced in mid-1986 has generated notable increases in agricultural production and financial support for the program by bilateral donors. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-94 has featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $23.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 58% industry: 8% services: 34% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 13.495 million by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 10% (1986 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $495 millionexpenditures: $631 million, including capital expenditures of $118million (1990 est.)
Industries: primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1990)
Electricity:capacity: 440,000 kWproduction: 880 million kWhconsumption per capita: 30 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticidemade from chrysanthemums), cashews, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar),corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle,sheep, goats
Illicit drugs: growing role in transshipment of Southwest Asianheroin destined for European and US markets
Exports: $462 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: coffee, cotton, tobacco, tea, cashew nuts, sisal partners: Germany, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Hong Kong, US
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transportation equipment, cotton piece goods, crude oil, foodstuffs partners: Germany, UK, US, Japan, Italy, Denmark
External debt: $6.7 billion (1993)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1 - 558.18 (December 1995), 574.76 (1995), 509.63 (1994), 405.27 (1993), 297.71 (1992), 219.16 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 3,569 km (1995)narrow gauge: 2,600 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gaugenote:: the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), whichoperates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar esSalaam and New Kapiri M'poshi in Zambia is not a part of TanzaniaRailways Corporation; 969 km are in Tanzania and 891 km are inZambia; because of the difference in gauge, this system does notconnect to Tanzania Railways
Highways:total: 55,600 kmpaved: 20,572 km (including 50 km of expressways)unpaved: 35,028 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa
Pipelines: crude oil 982 km
Ports: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Lindi, Mkoani, Mtwara,Musoma, Mwanza, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,371 GRT/41,269 DWTships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 2, passenger-cargo 2,roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 111with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 28with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 57 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 137,000 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: fair system operating below capacity domestic: open wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 640,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force (TPDF; includes Army,Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit, Militia
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 6,499,244 males fit for military service: 3,765,193 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $69 million, NA% of GDP (FY94/95)
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@Thailand ————
Map —-
Location: 15 00 N, 100 00 E — Southeastern Asia, bordering theAndaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
Flag ——
Description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue(double width), white, and red
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and theGulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 514,000 sq kmland area: 511,770 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries:total: 4,863 kmborder countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,Malaysia 506 km
Coastline: 3,219 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: boundary dispute with Laos; unresolvedmaritime boundary with Vietnam; parts of border with Cambodia indispute; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined
Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-Mayto September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountainselsewherelowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 mhighest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum,timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite
Land use:arable land: 34%permanent crops: 4%meadows and pastures: 1%forest and woodland: 30%other: 31%
Irrigated land: 42,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; waterpollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soilerosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal huntingnatural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from thedepletion of the water table; droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysiaand Singapore
People ———
Population: 58,851,357 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 25% (male 7,627,916; female 7,351,264)15-64 years: 69% (male 19,994,884; female 20,576,141)65 years and over: 6% (male 1,468,814; female 1,832,338) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 1.03% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 33.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.6 years male: 64.89 years female: 72.49 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai
Ethnic divisions: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%