Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 55.6% male: 62.5% female : 48.6% (1995 est.)
@Guatemala:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala
Data code: GT
Government type: republic
National capital: Guatemala
Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular -departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula,El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa,Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, SanMarcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 note: suspended 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14 January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14 January 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14 January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14 January 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 12 November 1995; runoff held 7 January 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results : Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen elected president; percent of vote - Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (PAN) 51.2%, Jorge PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 48.8%
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 12 November 1995 to select 80 new congressmen (next to be held in November 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 43, FRG 21, FDNG 6, DCG 4, UCN 3, UD 2, MLN 1 note: on 11 November 1993 the congress approved a procedure that reduced its number from 116 seats to 80; the procedure provided for a special election in mid-1994 to elect an interim congress of 80 members to serve until replaced in the November 1995 general election; the plan was approved in a general referendum in January 1994 and the special election was held on 14 August 1994
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia); additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presided over by the President of the Supreme Court, judges are elected for a five-year term by Congress
Political parties and leaders: National Centrist Union or UCN [JuanAYERDI Aguilar]; Christian Democratic Party or DCG [Alfonso CABRERAHidalgo]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen];National Liberation Movement or MLN [Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon]; SocialDemocratic Party or PSD [Sergio FLORES Cruz]; Revolutionary Party orPR [Carlos CHAVARRIA Perez]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG[Efrain RIOS Montt]; Democratic Union or UD [Jose CHEA Urruela]; NewGuatemalan Democratic Front or FDNG [Rafael ARRIAGA Martinez]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Coordinating Committee ofAgricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations orCACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM; Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO;Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Alliance Against Impunity orAAI; leftist movement of former guerrillas known as GuatemalanNational Revolutionary Union or URNG has four main factions -Guerrilla Army of the Poor or EGP; Revolutionary Organization of thePeople in Arms or ORPA; Rebel Armed Forces or FAR; Guatemalan LaborParty or PGT/O; note - signed peace treaty with government on 29December 1996; URNG formally disbanded 29-30 March 1997
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO,G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Miguel LAMPORT Kelsall chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone : [1] (202) 745-4952 through 4954 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general : Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. PLANTY (18 July 1996) embassy: 7-01 Avenida la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone : (502) 331-1541 FAX: (502) 334-8477
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
Economy
Economy - overview: The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing and construction, predominantly in private hands, account for about 20% of GDP and 18% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993-94, despite political unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and annual growth averaged 4%. Strong international prices for Guatemala's traditional commodity exports featured 4.9% growth in 1995; growth receded to 3% in 1996. Given the markedly uneven distribution of land and income, the government faces major obstacles in its program of economic modernization and the reduction of poverty.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $39 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,460 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 20% services: 55%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.9% (1996)
Labor force: total: 3.1 million (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture 58%, services 14%, manufacturing 14%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 2.6%, utilities 0.3%, mining 0.1% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 4.9%; underemployment 30%-40% (1994 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.25 billion (1995) expenditures : $1.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $385 million (1995)
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 973,500 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 3.229 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 255 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Exports: total value: $1.81 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, beef partners: US 30%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras
Imports: total value : $3.11 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles partners: US 44%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany
Debt - external: $3.1 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $274 million (1994)
Currency: 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 6.0527 (January 1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994), 5.6354 (1993), 5.1706 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Guatemala:Communications
Telephones: 210,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: NA international : connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 15
Radios: 400,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 25
Televisions: 475,000 (1993 est.)
@Guatemala:Transportation
Railways: total : 884 km (102 km privately owned) narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)
Highways: total: 12,795 km paved: 3,519 km (including 135 km of expressways) unpaved : 9,276 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season
Pipelines: crude oil 275 km
Ports and harbors: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, SanJose, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 446 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 318 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 5 under 914 m: 309 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 128 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m : 119 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 2,741,575 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,791,136 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 129,408 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $128.3 million (1996)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: border with Belize in dispute; talks to resolve the dispute are ongoing
Illicit drugs: transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy ______________________________________________________________________
(British crown dependency)
@Guernsey:Geography
Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest ofFrance
Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 194 sq km land: 194 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 50 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone : 12 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m
Natural resources: cropland
Land use: arable land : NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
@Guernsey:People
Population: 63,731 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 5,703; female 5,584) 15-64 years: 67% (male 20,883; female 21,702) 65 years and over : 15% (male 3,959; female 5,900) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 13.54 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.38 years male: 75.44 years female: 81.43 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist,Congregational, Methodist
Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy: NA
@Guernsey:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey
Data code: GK
Dependency status: British crown dependency
Government type: NA
National capital: Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Vice-Admiral Sir John COWARD (since NA 1994) and Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since February 1992) cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee (other committees) appointed by the Assembly of the States elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; lieutenant governor appointed by the queen; bailiff appointed by the queen
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States (60 seats, 33 popularly elected; members serve six-year terms) elections: last held 20 April 1994 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch: Royal Court
Political parties and leaders: none; all independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency)
Flag description: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag
Economy
Economy - overview: Financial services account for about 55% of total income. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992) registered a record 26% growth. Fund management and insurance are the two other major income generators.
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: $NA
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7% (1988)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 3%-4% (1994 est.)
Budget: revenues: $257.9 million expenditures: $235.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: NA kW
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Exports: $NA commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports: $NA commodities: coal, gasoline, and oil partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Guernsey (£G) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds (£G) per US$1 - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Guernsey:Communications
Telephones: 41,850 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: domestic : NA international: 1 submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Guernsey:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Guinea:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenGuinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 245,860 sq km land : 245,860 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline: 320 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point : Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish
Land use: arable land : 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 22% forests and woodland: 59% other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 930 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Environment - current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Desertification
@Guinea:People
Population: 7,405,375 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 1,625,046; female 1,632,953) 15-64 years : 53% (male 1,928,853; female 2,019,180) 65 years and over: 3% (male 83,165; female 116,178) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.1% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 41.95 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 18.23 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: in prior years Guinea received several hundred thousand refugees from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, some of whom are now returning to their own countries
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: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 131.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.54 years male: 43.15 years female : 47.99 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.66 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean
Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller tribes 10%
Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages: French (official), each tribe has its own language
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.9% male: 49.9% female: 21.9% (1995 est.)
@Guinea:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea
Data code: GV
Government type: republic
National capital: Conakry
Administrative divisions: 33 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture) and 1 national capital* (capitale d'etat); Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou note: the 33 prefectures may have been subsumed by four new first-order administrative divisions called administrative regions (regions administrative, singular - region administrative) named Guinee-Forestiere, Guinee-Maritime, Haute-Guinee, and Moyenne-Guinee
Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)
Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state : President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993); head of government : Prime Minister Sidia TOURE (since July 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 19 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1998); the prime minister was appointed by President CONTE election results: Lansana CONTE' elected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE' (PUP) 51.7%, Alpha CONDE' (RPG) 19.55%, Mamadou Boye BA' (UNR) 13.37%, Siradiou DIALLO (PRP) 11.86%; note - the country's first-ever multi-party elections for president
Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections : last held 11 June 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 71, RPG 19, PRP 9, UNR 9, UPG 2, PDG 1, UNP 1, PDG/RDA 1, other 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992; of the more than 40 with legal status, the following won seats in the legislature in the 11 June 1995 elections pro-government : Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Gen. Lansana CONTE'] other: Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for a New Republic or UNR [Mamadou Boye BA']; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Sec.-Gen. Jean-Marie DORE]; Democratic Party of Guinea or PDG-AST [Ahmed Sekou TOURE]; National Union for the Prosperity of Guinea or UNPG [Lt.Col. Facine TOURE]; Democratic Party of Guinea - African Democratic Rally or PDG - RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU,OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Mohamed Aly THIAM chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tibor P. NAGY, Jr. (5 July 1996) embassy : Rue KA 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band
Economy
Economy - overview: Although possessing major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector employs 80% of the work force. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1995. Long run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Except in the mining industry, foreign investment remains minimal.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.1 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $950 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 31% services: 45% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.1% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 2.4 million (1983) by occupation: agriculture 80.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4%, civil service 3.6%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $519 million expenditures: $947 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries
Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (1994)
Electricity - capacity: 113,000 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 300 million kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Exports: total value: $725 million (1995 est.) commodities: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, fish, agricultural products partners : Belgium-Luxembourg 27%, US 15%, Ireland 10%, Spain 10% (1994)
Imports: total value: $775 million (1995 est.) commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs partners: France 20%, Cote d'Ivoire 16%, US 7%, Belgium-Luxembourg 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 4% (1994)
Debt - external: $3 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 1,004.0 (January 1997), 1,006.8 (November 1996), 991.4 (1995), 976.6 (1994), 955.5 (1993), 902.0 (1992) note: the official exchange rate of the Guinean franc was set and quoted weekly against the US dollar until end-October 1993; since 1 November 1994, the exchange rate is determined in the interbank market for foreign exchange
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Guinea:Communications
Telephones: 18,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic : microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 257,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
@Guinea:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,086 km standard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge (includes 662 km in common carrier service from Kankan to Conakry)
Highways: total: 30,270 km paved: 4,964 km unpaved: 25,306 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Ports and harbors: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 14 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), AirForce, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary NationalGendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,684,999 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 850,053 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $50 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Guinea-Bissau:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenGuinea and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 36,120 sq km land: 28,000 sq km water: 8,120 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size ofConnecticut
Land boundaries: total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m
Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of petroleum
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures : 38% forests and woodland: 38% other: 12% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 17 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Guinea-Bissau:People
Population: 1,178,584 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 251,873; female 250,950) 15-64 years: 54% (male 304,116; female 338,489) 65 years and over : 3% (male 15,771; female 17,385) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.33% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 39.17 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 15.85 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 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 113.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.71 years male: 47.05 years female: 50.42 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.26 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guinea-Bissauan(s) adjective: Guinea-Bissauan
Ethnic groups: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%,Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 54.9% male : 68% female: 42.5% (1995 est.)
@Guinea-Bissau:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica de Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea
Data code: PU
Government type: republic, multiparty since mid-1991, formerly highly centralized
National capital: Bissau
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao);Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974)
Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the government)
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (initially assumed power 14 November 1980) head of government: Prime Minister Manuel da Costa SATURNINO (since 5 November 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held NA August 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joao Bernardo VIEIRA elected president; percent of vote - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52%, Kumba YALLA 48%
Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) elections : last held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 46.0%, RGB-MB 19.2%, PRS 10.3%, UM 12.8%, FLING 2.5%, PCD 5.3%, PUSD 2.9%, FCG 0.2%, others 0.8%; seats by party - PAIGC 62, RGB 19, PRS 12, UM 6, FLING 1
Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council of Ministers
Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA, leader]; Front for the Liberation and Independence of Guinea or FLING [Francois Kankoila MENDY]; Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Bah Fatah Movement or RGB-MB [Domingos FERNANDES Gomes]; Guinea Civic Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Vi'tor MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS [Koumba YALLA, leader]; Union for Change Coalition or UM [Joao da COSTA, Pres.]; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Vi'tor Sau'de MARIA]
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB,ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Rufino Jose MENDES chancery: 918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 872-4222 FAX: [1] (202) 872-4226
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peggy BLACKFORD embassy : Bairro de Penha, Bissau mailing address: C.P. 297, 1067 Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau telephone: [245] 252273, 252274, 252275, 252276 FAX: [245] 252282
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy - overview: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world. Farming and fishing are the main economic activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, and fish are the primary exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of development. Although Guinea-Bissau won an IMF Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility in 1996, recent political instability and overspending have undermined the progress of economic reform and delayed disbursements of donor aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $950 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 44% industry: 8% services: 48% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 45.4% (1995)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 22,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 30 million kWh (1991)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 29 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; fishing and forest potential not fully exploited
Exports: total value: $33 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: cashews 95%, fish, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber (1994) partners: Spain 35%, India 30%, Thailand 10%, Italy 10% (1995)
Imports: total value : $52.4 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products, machinery and equipment (1994) partners: Thailand 27%, Portugal 23%, Japan 6%, Cote d'Ivoire 7% (1995)
Debt - external: $816 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 33,910 (December 1996), 26,373 (1996), 18,073 (1995), 12,892 (1994), 10,082 (1993), 6,934 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Guinea-Bissau:Communications
Telephones: 3,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: poor system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiotelephone communications international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 40,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Guinea-Bissau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 4,350 km paved: 444 km unpaved: 3,906 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce
Ports and harbors: Bissau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 16 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m : 8 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includesArmy, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 268,000 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 152,948 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.5% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Guyana:Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area: total: 214,970 sq km land: 196,850 sq km water : 18,120 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries: total: 2,462 km border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline: 459 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf : 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Land use: arable land : 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 84% other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Environment - current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Tropical Timber 94
@Guyana:People
Population: 706,116 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 115,120; female 110,741) 15-64 years: 63% (male 225,199; female 222,793) 65 years and over : 5% (male 14,563; female 17,700) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.78% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 18.71 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 10.02 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -16.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 51.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.27 years male : 56.93 years female: 61.74 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.16 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese
Ethnic groups: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian 4%, white and Chinese 2%
Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%
Languages: English, Amerindian dialects
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.1% male: 98.6% female: 97.5% (1995 est.)
@Guyana:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Co-operative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana
Data code: GY
Government type: republic
National capital: Georgetown
Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni,Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-WestDemerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, UpperDemerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Constitution: 6 October 1980
Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures ofRoman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Executive President Samuel HINDS (since March 1997); replaced Cheddi JAGAN who died in office, March 1997 head of government: Prime Minister Janet JAGAN (since March 1997); filled vacancy created when Samuel HINDS ascended to office of Executive President following death of Cheddi JAGAN, March 1997 cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by the majority party in the National Assembly after legislative elections, which must be held within five years; legislative elections last held 5 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); prime minister appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (65 seats, 53 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be held by October 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 53.4%, PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%; seats by party - PPP 36, PNC 26, WPA 2, TUF 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature
Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP),People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE; For a Good andGreen Guyana (GGG), Hamilton GREEN; Working People's Alliance (WPA),Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE;People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Llewellyn JOHN; NationalDemocratic Front (NDF), Joseph BACCHUS; The United Force (TUF),Manzoor NADIR; United Republican Party (URP), Leslie RAMSAMMY;National Republican Party (NRP), Robert GANGADEEN; Guyana Labor Party(GLP); Guyana Democratic Party (GDP), Asgar ALLY; Guyanese Organizedfor Liberty and Democracy Party (GOLD), Anthony MEKDECI
Political pressure groups and leaders: Trades Union Congress (TUC); Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO); Civil Liberties Action Committee (CLAC) note: the latter two organizations are small and active but not well organized
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB,ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO(subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL chancery : 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900, 6901 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Hugh SIMON embassy: 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown telephone: [592] (2) 54900 through 54909, 57960 through 57969 FAX : [592] (2) 58497
Flag description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and the green
Economy
Economy - overview: In 1996, Guyana, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, posted its fifth straight year of economic growth of 5% or better, with the advance led by gold and bauxite mining and by sugar. Favorable growth factors have included expansion in the key agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative, a more realistic exchange rate, a moderate inflation rate, and the continued support of international organizations. Serious underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national output. The government must persist in efforts to manage its sizable external debt and extend its privatization program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7.9% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,490 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 28% services: 33% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4.5% (1996 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 12% (1992 est.)
Budget: revenues: $209 million expenditures: $303 million, including capital expenditures of $109 million (1995 est.)
Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles, gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 157,000 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 318 million kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 301 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; development potential exists for fishing and forestry
Exports: total value: $565 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities : sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses partners: Canada 33%, US 24%, UK 22% (1994 est.)
Imports: total value: $589 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food partners : US 29%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, Netherlands Antilles 17%, UK 11%, (1994 est.)
Debt - external: $1.5 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 140.3 (February 1997), 141.1 (December 1996), 140.4 (1996), 142.0 (1995), 138.3 (1994), 126.7 (1993), 125.0 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Guyana:Communications
Telephones: 33,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: fair system for long-distance calling domestic : microwave radio relay network for trunk lines international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 1
Radios: 398,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 11 (1995 est.)
Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)
@Guyana:Transportation
Railways: total: 88 km standard gauge: 40 km 1.435-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport) narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
Highways: total: 7,820 km paved: 571 km unpaved : 7,249 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively
Ports and harbors: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika
Merchant marine: total : 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT (1996 est.)
Airports: 47 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m : 32 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces,Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), GuyanaNational Service (GNS)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 198,350 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 150,105 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: all of the area west of the Essequibo Riverclaimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (UpperCourantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of theCourantyne)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to the US and Europe; producer of cannabis ______________________________________________________________________
@Haiti:Geography
Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 27,750 sq km land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 275 km border countries : Dominican Republic 275 km
Coastline: 1,771 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf : to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m
Natural resources: bauxite
Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures : 18% forests and woodland: 5% other: 44% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and use as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
@Haiti:People
Population: 6,611,407 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 1,451,550; female 1,409,056) 15-64 years : 53% (male 1,668,670; female 1,811,957) 65 years and over: 4% (male 134,366; female 135,808) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.39% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 33.12 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 15.25 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.01 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 : 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 102.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.49 years male : 47.45 years female: 51.63 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.76 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian
Ethnic groups: black 95%, mulatto plus white 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also practice Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)
Languages: French (official) 10%, Creole
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 45% male: 48% female: 42.2% (1995 est.)
@Haiti:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti local short form: Haiti
Data code: HA
Government type: republic