Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 12,037,009 females age 15-49: 11,846,381 (1997 est.) note: both sexes liable for military service
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 6,434,452 (1997 est.) females: 6,317,112 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 480,893 females: 462,314 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $135 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: world's largest illicit producer of opium (2,560 metric tons in 1996 - a 9% increase over 1995) and a minor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; surrender of drug warlord KHUN SA's Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by Rangoon as a major counternarcotics success, but lack of serious government commitment and resources continue to hinder the overall antidrug effort; growing role in the production of methamphetamines for regional consumption ______________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Current issues: in a number of waves since October 1993, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the ethnic violence between the Hutu and Tutsi factions in Burundi and crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire; since October 1996, an estimated 92,000 Burundi Hutus who fled to Zaire have been forced to return to Burundi by Tutsi rebel forces in Zaire, leaving an estimated 35,000 still dispersed there; in Burundi, the ethnic violence between the Hutus and the Tutsis continued in 1996, causing an estimated additional 150,000 Burundi Hutus to flee to Tanzania, thus raising their numbers in that country to about 250,000
@Burundi:Geography
Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 27,830 sq km land: 25,650 sq km water: 2,180 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,760 m); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January
Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Mount Heha 2,760 m
Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium
Land use: arable land: 44% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures : 36% forests and woodland: 3% other : 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 140 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding, landslides
Environment - current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Endangered Species signed, but not ratified : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed
@Burundi:People
Population: 6,052,614 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,425,071; female 1,418,957) 15-64 years : 50% (male 1,490,426; female 1,558,362) 65 years and over: 3% (male 63,225; female 96,573) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.11% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 42.33 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 15.12 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 100.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49 years male: 47.91 years female : 50.12 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.48 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundi
Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%,Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000
Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 32%, Muslim 1%
Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along LakeTanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.3% male: 49.3% female: 22.5% (1995 est.)
@Burundi:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republika y'u Burundi local short form : Burundi
Data code: BY
Government type: republic
National capital: Bujumbura
Administrative divisions: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi,Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba,Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: 13 March 1992; provides for establishment of a plural political system
Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch: chief of state: President Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27 September 1996) note - former President NTIBANTUNGANYA was overthrown in a coup on 25 July 1996 and has taken refuge in the US ambassador's residence in Bujumbura; former Major (retired) Pierre BUYOYA has not been recognized as president of Burundi by the US or most other governments head of government: Prime Minister Pascal-Firmin NDIMIRA (since 31 July 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by prime minister elections : NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (81 seats; members are popularly elected on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats by party - (81 total) FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress or UPRONA[Charles MUKASI, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [JeanMINANI, president]; Organization of the People of Burundi or RPB[Sylvestre SINDAYIGAYA]; Socialist Party of Burundi or PSB; People'sReconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA, leader]; oppositionparties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi African Alliance forthe Salvation or ABASA, Rally for Democracy and Economic and SocialDevelopment or RADDES [Cyrille SIGEJEJE, chairman], and Party forNational Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA, leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC,CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber),ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Severin NTAHOMVUKIYE chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Morris N. HUGHES, Jr. (27 June l996) embassy : Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone : [257] (2) 23454 FAX: [257] (2) 22926
Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)
Economy
Economy - overview: Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country in an early stage of economic development. The economy is predominately agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop, which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports therefore rests largely on the vagaries of the climate and the international coffee market. As part of its economic reform agenda, launched in February 1991 with IMF and World Bank support, Burundi is trying to diversify its agricultural exports, attract foreign investment in industry, and modernize government budgetary practices. Since October 1993 the nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has resulted in the death of perhaps 100,000 persons and the displacement of a million others. Production continued to fall in 1996; foods, medicines, and electricity are in extremely short supply. An impoverished and disorganized government can hardly implement the needed reform programs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -3.7% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 56% industry: 18% services: 26% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 40% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 1.9 million by occupation: agriculture 93.0%, government 4.0%, industry and commerce 1.5%, services 1.5% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $222 million expenditures: $258 million, including capital expenditures of $92 million (1995 est.)
Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 55,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 105 million kWh (1991) note: imports some electricity from Democratic Republic of the Congo
Electricity - consumption per capita: 18 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); meat, milk, hides
Exports: total value: $117 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: coffee 81%, tea, cotton, hides partners : EU 60%, US 7%, Asia 1%
Imports: total value: $234 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: capital goods 26%, petroleum products, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EU 47%, Asia 25%, US 6%
Debt - external: $1.1 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1 - 268.13 (November 1995), 249.76 (1995), 252.66 (1994), 242.78 (1993), 208.30 (1992), 181.51 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Burundi:Communications
Telephones: 7,200 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: primitive system domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international : satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 4,500 (1993 est.)
@Burundi:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 14,480 km paved : 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: Lake Tanganyika
Ports and harbors: Bujumbura
Airports: 3 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitaryGendarmerie
Military manpower - military age: 16 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,346,737 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 700,914 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 70,013 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $25 million (1993)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.6% (1993)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Cambodia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, betweenThailand and Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries: total : 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
Coastline: 443 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season(December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Natural resources: timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 11% forests and woodland: 66% other : 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 920 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment - current issues: logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand are resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); deforestation; soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Life Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by theMekong River and Tonle Sap
@Cambodia:People
Population: 11,163,861 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,573,135; female 2,497,776) 15-64 years : 52% (male 2,668,089; female 3,084,009) 65 years and over: 3% (male 144,001; female 196,851) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.72% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 15.39 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 106 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.25 years male: 48.79 years female : 51.79 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.81 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5%
Languages: Khmer (official), French
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 35% male: 48% female : 22% (1990 est.)
@Cambodia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea local short form: Kampuchea
Data code: CB
Government type: multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993
National capital: Phnom Penh
Administrative divisions: 22 provinces (khett, singular and plural)and 1 municipality* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay,Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum,Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar MeanCheay, Phnum Penh, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), PreahVihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng,Takev
Independence: 9 November 1949 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November 1949
Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993
Legal system: currently being defined
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993) head of government: power shared between First Prime Minister Prince Norodom RANARIDDH (since NA 1993) and Second Prime Minister HUN SEN (since NA 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the king elections : none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime ministers appointed by the king
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FUNCINPEC 58, CPP 51, BLDP 10, MOLINAKA 1 note : the May 1993 elections were for the Constituent Assembly which became the National Assembly after the new constitution was promulgated in September 1993
Judicial branch: Supreme Court provided for by the constitution has not yet been established and the future judicial system is yet to be defined by law
Political parties and leaders: National United Front for anIndependent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC),Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or CambodianPeople's Party (CPP), CHEA SIM; Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party(BLDP), SON SANN faction; Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party (BLDP),IENG MOULY faction; Democratic Kampuchea (DK, also known as the KhmerRouge), KHIEU SAMPHAN; Movement Pour La Liberation Nationale Khmere(MOLINAKA), PROM NEAKAREACH; Khmer Nation Party (KNP), SAM RAINSY
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN(observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador VAR HUOTH chancery: 4500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX : [1] (202) 726-8381
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth M. QUINN embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 426436, 426438 FAX: [855] (23) 426811
Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band
Economy
Economy - overview: The Cambodian economy - virtually destroyed by decades of war - is slowly recovering. Government leaders are moving toward restoring fiscal and monetary discipline and have established good working relations with international financial institutions. Growth, starting from a low base, has been strong in 1991-96. Despite such positive developments, the reconstruction effort faces many tough challenges because of the persistence of internal political divisions and the related lack of confidence of foreign investors. Rural Cambodia, where 90% of about 9.5 million Khmer live, remains mired in poverty. The almost total lack of basic infrastructure in the countryside will hinder development and will contribute to a growing imbalance in growth between urban and rural areas over the near term. Moreover, the government's lack of experience in administering economic and technical assistance programs and rampant corruption among officials will slow the growth of critical public sector investment. The decline of inflation from the 1992 rate of more than 50% is one of the bright spots.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7.4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $710 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 51% industry: 14% services: 35%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5% (1996 est.)
Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million by occupation : agriculture 80% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $261 million expenditures: $496 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 7.9% (1993 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 100,000 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 180 million kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 17 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables
Exports: total value: $464 million (1996 est.) commodities: timber, rubber, soybeans, sesame partners : Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia
Imports: total value: $1.4 billion (1996 est.) commodities: cigarettes, construction materials, petroleum products, machinery, motor vehicles partners : Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia
Debt - external: $1.9 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA note: international donors pledged a total of $1.8 billion in 1995 and 1996
Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1 - 2,723.0 (January 1997), 2,624.1 (1996), 2,450.8 (1995), 2,545.3 (1994), 2,689.0 (1993), 1,266.6 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Cambodia:Communications
Telephones: 7,000 (1981 est.)
Telephone system: service barely adequate for government requirements and virtually nonexistent for general public domestic: NA international: landline international service limited to Vietnam and other adjacent countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 5
Televisions: 70,000 (1993 est.)
@Cambodia:Transportation
Railways: total: 603 km narrow gauge: 603 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total : 35,769 km paved: 2,683 km unpaved : 33,086 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m; 282 km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 m
Ports and harbors: Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong KaohKong, Phnom Penh
Merchant marine: total: 27 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 187,652 GRT/256,929 DWT ships by type : bulk 4, cargo 20, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 14 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 7 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Khmer Royal Armed Forces (KRAF) - created in 1993 by the merger of the Cambodian People's Armed Forces and the two noncommunist resistance armies; note - the KRAF is also known as the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF); Resistance forces - National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,418,916 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,348,065 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 97,361 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $160 million (1996)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined; parts of border with Thailand in dispute; maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined
Illicit drugs: transshipment country for Golden Triangle heroin en route to West; possibly becoming money-laundering center; high-level narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international market ______________________________________________________________________
@Cameroon:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, betweenEquatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 475,440 sq km land: 469,440 sq km water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:total : 4,591 kmborder countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km,Nigeria 1,690 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 50 nm
Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako 4,095 m
Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 78% other : 3% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 210 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases
Environment - current issues: water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa
@Cameroon:People
Population: 14,677,510 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 3,387,450; female 3,356,237) 15-64 years: 51% (male 3,712,809; female 3,736,245) 65 years and over: 3% (male 219,975; female 264,894) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.86% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 42.22 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 13.64 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.27 years male: 51.22 years female: 53.35 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.93 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian
Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 33%, Muslim 16%
Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official),French (official)
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.4% male: 75% female: 52.1% (1995 est.)
@Cameroon:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon former: French Cameroon
Data code: CM
Government type: unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)
National capital: Yaounde
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est,Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest
Independence: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration)
National holiday: National Day, 20 May (1972)
Constitution: 20 May 1972
Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law influence; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGA (since 19 September 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA October 1997); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 40%, SDF candidate John FRU NDI 36%, UNDP candidate Bello Bouba MAIGARI 19%; note - election held amid widespread allegations of fraud
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature) elections: last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDPM 109, SDF 43, UNDP 13, UDC 5, UPC-K 1, MDR 1, MLJC I; note - 7 contested seats will be filled in an election at a time to be set by the Supreme Court
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM (government-controlled and the only party until legalization of opposition parties in 1990) [Paul BIYA, president] major opposition parties: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA, leader]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA, chairman]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI, leader]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Ndeh NTUMAZAH, leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for Change or FAC;Cameroon Anglophone Movement or CAM
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C,CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery : 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles H. TWINING embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address : B. P. 817, Yaounde; Pouch American Embassy DOS, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 23-40-14, 23-05-12 FAX: [237] 23-07-53
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy - overview: Because of its offshore oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led to rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices of major exports: coffee, cocoa, and petroleum. Export earnings were cut by almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal management were exposed. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade and recapitalize the nation's banks. Political instability, following suspect elections in 1992, has limited the effectiveness of aid programs. Currently, Cameroon receives only minimal assistance from the IMF and the World Bank. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency of 12 January 1994 improved the potential for export growth, mismanagement remains and is the main barrier to economic improvement. The devaluation led to a spurt in inflation to 48% in 1994, but it moderated in 1995-96. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry remains slow.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $17.5 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,230 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 25% services: 46% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6% (FY96/97 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $2.23 billion expenditures: $2.23 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 630,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 2.71 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 186 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber
Exports: total value: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, aluminum, cocoa beans, coffee, cotton partners: EU (particularly France) about 50%, African countries
Imports: total value : $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: machines and electrical equipment, food, consumer goods, transport equipment, petroleum products partners: EU (France 42%, Germany), African countries, US 4%
Debt - external: $8.2 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Cameroon:Communications
Telephones: 36,737 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: available only to business and government domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 11, shortwave 0
Radios: 2 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: NA
@Cameroon:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,104 km narrow gauge: 1,104 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)
Highways: total: 34,300 km paved : 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1995)
Waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance
Ports and harbors: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko
Merchant marine: total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509 DWT (1996 est.)
Airports: 44 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 12 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m : 15 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force,National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,211,508 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,623,228 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 156,208 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $102 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Nigeria over land and maritime boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred to the International Court of Justice ______________________________________________________________________
@Canada:Geography
Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references: North America
Area: total: 9,976,140 sq km land: 9,220,970 sq km water: 755,170 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than US
Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline: 243,791 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,950 m
Natural resources: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 38% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 7,100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow
Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; nearly 90% of the population is concentrated within 161 km of the US/Canada border
@Canada:People
Population: 30,337,334 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,101,968; female 2,957,927) 15-64 years: 68% (male 10,333,085; female 10,201,996) 65 years and over: 12% (male 1,583,643; female 2,158,715) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.13% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 12.4 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.23 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population : 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.96 years male: 75.61 years female: 82.48 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian
Ethnic groups: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, otherEuropean 20%, Amerindian 1.5%, other, mostly Asian 11.5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 45%, United Church 12%, Anglican 8%, other 35% (1991)
Languages: English (official), French (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% (1986 est.) male : NA% female: NA%
@Canada:Government
Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Canada
Data code: CA
Government type: confederation with parliamentary democracy
National capital: Ottawa
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* note: the Northwest Territories will be split in two as of April 1999; the eastern section will be renamed Nunavut, the west is as yet unnamed
Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK)
National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution: 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs
Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC (since 8 February 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993) cabinet : Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (a body whose members are appointed to serve until reaching 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (295 seats; note - number of seats will rise to 301 at the time of the next election; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Commons - last held 25 October 1993 (next to be held by 3 November 1998) election results: percent of votes by party - Liberal Party 41%, Reform Party 19%, Tories 16%, Bloc Quebecois 14%, New Democratic Party 7%, other 3%; seats by party - Liberal Party 177, Bloc Quebecois 53, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 9, Progressive Conservative Party 2, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; BlocQuebecois [Michel GAUTHIER (until March 1997)]; Reform Party [PrestonMANNING]; New Democratic Party [Alexa MCDONOUGH]; ProgressiveConservative Party [Jean CHAREST]
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer),APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE(observer), EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD,OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Raymond A. J. CHRETIEN chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726 consulate(s) general : Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s): Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy : 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 866, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 telephone : [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
Flag description: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band
Economy
Economy - overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada started the 1990s in recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1% so far this decade. Because of slower growth, Canada still faces high unemployment - especially in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces - and a large public sector debt. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, however, Canada will enjoy better economic prospects in the future. The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the confederation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $721 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 31% services : 66% (1996)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.4% (1996)
Labor force: total: 15.1 million (1996) by occupation : services 74%, manufacturing 15%, agriculture 3%, construction 5%, other 3% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 9.7% (December 1996)
Budget: revenues: $94.3 billion expenditures: $115.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7 billion (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (1996)
Electricity - capacity: 113.65 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 547.9 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 16,137 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported
Exports: total value: $195.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities : newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts; telecommunications equipment partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
Imports: total value: $169.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities : crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment and parts partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
Debt - external: $253 billion (1996)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.6 billion (1995) note : ODA and OOF commitments, $10.1 billion (1986-91)
Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.3486 (January 1997), 1.3635 (1996), 1.37241 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Canada:Communications
Telephones: 15.3 million (1990)
Telephone system: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic : domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 900, FM 29, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 70 (repeaters 1,400) (1991)
Televisions: 11.53 million (1983 est.)
@Canada:Transportation
Railways: total: 70,176 km; note - there are two major transcontinental freight railway systems: Canadian National (privatized November 1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by government-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its own standard gauge: 70,000 km 1.435-m gauge (63 km electrified) narrow gauge: 176 km 0.914-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 1.021 million km paved: 358,371 km (including 19,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 662,629 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway
Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Ports and harbors: Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Montreal,New Westminister, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick),Saint John's (Newfoundland), Seven Islands, Sydney, Three Rivers,Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Merchant marine: total: 60 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 557,941 GRT/775,391 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 15, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2 note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes (1996 est.)
Airports: 1,139 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 816 over 3,047 m: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m : 138 914 to 1,523 m: 229 under 914 m: 417 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 323 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 914 to 1,523 m: 268 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 17 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Commandor LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, CommunicationsCommand or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police(RCMP)
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,160,914 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 7,007,901 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 208,138 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY95/96)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France; in 1992 an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone area of 12,348 sq km to settle the dispute
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market ______________________________________________________________________
@Cape Verde:Geography
Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North AtlanticOcean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: World
Area: total: 4,030 sq km land: 4,030 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point : Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 0% other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
@Cape Verde:People
Population: 393,943 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 91,409; female 89,810) 15-64 years: 48% (male 87,868; female 100,948) 65 years and over: 6% (male 9,594; female 14,214) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.54% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 35.45 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 70.04 years male: 66.76 years female: 73.42 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.6% male: 81.4% female: 63.8% (1995 est.)
@Cape Verde:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde
Data code: CV
Government type: republic
National capital: Praia