International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Ernest LEIGH chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador John L. HIRSCH embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX : [232] (22) 225471
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
Economy
Economy - overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Agriculture employs about two-thirds of the working population, with subsistence agriculture dominating the sector. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. The mining of diamonds, bauxite, and rutile is the major source of hard currency. The government has worked hard to meet its IMF- and World Bank-mandated stabilization targets, holding down fiscal deficits and retiring much of its domestic debt, but at a steep cost in terms of forgone capital investments and social spending. Moreover, the economic infrastructure has nearly collapsed due to neglect and war-related disruptions in the mining and agricultural export sectors. The continuing civil war in Liberia has led to a large influx of refugees, who place additional burdens on Sierra Leone's fragile economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $980 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 21% services: 30% (1995)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.6% (1996)
Labor force: total: 1.369 million (1981 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.) note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $75 million expenditures: $128 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 119,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 185 million kWh (1991)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 43 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Exports: total value: $39.3 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: rutile, diamonds, bauxite, coffee, cocoa, fish partners: US 20%, Belgium 20%, Spain 13%, UK 6%, other Western Europe
Imports: total value: $140 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants partners: Cote d'Ivoire, EU countries, India
Debt - external: $1.4 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 908.08 (January 1997), 920.73 (1996), 755.22 (1995), 586.74 (1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Sierra Leone:Communications
Telephones: 17,526 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: marginal telephone and telegraph service domestic: national microwave radio relay system made unserviceable by military activities international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 980,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
@Sierra Leone:Transportation
Railways: total : 84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 11,674 km paved: 1,284 km unpaved : 10,390 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports and harbors: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 4 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,037,049 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 503,252 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $14 million (FY92/93)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.6% (FY92/93)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Singapore:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 647.5 sq km land: 637.5 sq km water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone : within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 6% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: 5% other : 87% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified : Climate Change
Geography - note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
@Singapore:People
Population: 3,440,693 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years : 21% (male 378,651; female 357,070) 15-64 years: 72% (male 1,237,478; female 1,239,494) 65 years and over: 7% (male 101,536; female 126,464) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.67% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 14.13 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 4.68 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population : 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 78.15 years male: 75.14 years female: 81.4 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore
Ethnic groups: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3%
Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu,Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist
Languages: Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 91.1% male: 95.9% female: 86.3% (1995 est.)
@Singapore:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore
Data code: SN
Government type: republic within Commonwealth
National capital: Singapore
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependenceState of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state : President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993) head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections : president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1999); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: ONG Teng Cheong elected president in the country's first popular election for president; percent of vote - ONG Teng Cheong 59%, CHUA Kim Yeow 41%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 January 1997 (next to be held by 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 65% (in contested constituencies), other 35%; seats by party - PAP 81, WP 1, SPP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders: government : People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary general opposition: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan; Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; National Solidarity Party (NSP), C. K. TAN; Singapore People's Party (SPP), CHIAM See Tong
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS(pending member), C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM,UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy A. CHORBA embassy : 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96534 telephone: [65] 476-9100 FAX: [65] 476-9340
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy
Economy - overview: Singapore has an open economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. A slump in global demand for electronics slowed Singapore's export growth in 1996, and as a result, real GDP grew 6.5%, down from 8.9% in 1995. The government predicts growth will be in the 5%-7% range in 1997. Rising labor costs continue to be a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, and the government's strategy to address this problem includes increasing productivity, improving infrastructure, and encouraging higher value-added industries. In applied technology, per capita output, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a developed country.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $72.2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (1996)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,200 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NEGL% industry: 28% services : 72%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.3% (1996)
Labor force: total: 1.801 million (1996 est.) by occupation : financial, business, and other services 33.5%, manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $18.5 billion expenditures: $13.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.4 billion (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology
Industrial production growth rate: 7% (1996 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 4.51 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 22.1 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 7,002 kWh (1995)
Agriculture - products: rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables; poultry
Exports: total value: $144.8 billion (1996 est.) commodities: computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products, telecommunications equipment partners: Malaysia 19%, US 18%, Hong Kong 9%, Japan 8%, Thailand 6% (1995)
Imports: total value: $151.1 billion (1996 est., including goods for reexport) commodities: aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: Japan 21%, Malaysia 15%, US 15%, Thailand 5%, Taiwan 4%, South Korea 4% (1995)
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.4061 (January 1997), 1.4100 (1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Singapore:Communications
Telephones: 1.23 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: good domestic facilities; good international service domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1996)
Televisions: 1.05 million (1992 est.)
@Singapore:Transportation
Railways: total: 38.6 km narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge note: there is a 67 km mass transit system with 42 stations
Highways: total: 2,972 km paved: 2,892 km (including 132 km of expressways) unpaved : 80 km (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Singapore
Merchant marine: total : 737 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,420,046 GRT/24,508,019 DWT ships by type: bulk 122, cargo 123, chemical tanker 24, combination bulk 8, combination ore/oil 6, container 115, liquefied gas tanker 23, livestock carrier 1, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oil tanker 259, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 14, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 24 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 24 countries among which are Japan 42, Denmark 33, Hong Kong 26, Germany 22, Thailand 17, Sweden 15, Belgium 11, China 10, US 10, and Indonesia 8; Singapore also owns an additional 220 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,289,213 DWT that operate under the registries of The Bahamas, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Honduras, Liberia, Malta, Malaysia, Panama, Thailand, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Vanuatu (1996 est.)
Airports: 8 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force,Police Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,034,380 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 756,649 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.64 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.2% (FY95/96)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to theUS, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a money-launderingcenter______________________________________________________________________
@Slovakia:Geography
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 48,845 sq km land: 48,800 sq km water: 45 sq km
Area - comparative: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total: 1,355 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt
Land use: arable land: 31% permanent crops : 3% permanent pastures: 17% forests and woodland: 41% other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements: party to : Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography - note: landlocked
@Slovakia:People
Population: 5,387,665 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (male 588,511; female 563,090) 15-64 years : 68% (male 1,802,132; female 1,831,119) 65 years and over: 11% (male 233,476; female 369,337) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.12% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 10.37 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 9.58 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.37 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 : 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.91 years male : 69.11 years female: 76.9 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%,Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy: NA
@Slovakia:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local long form: Slovenska Republika local short form: Slovensko
Data code: LO
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Bratislava
Administrative divisions: 4 departments (kraje, singular - kraj) Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky note: an article in the Slovakian press mentions there are 8 departments named Bratislava, Banska Bystrica, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trnava, Trencin, and Zilina
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: Slovak Constitution Day, 1 September (1992);Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, 29 August (1944)
Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993) head of government : Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since 12 December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by National Council for a five-year term; election last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held March 1998); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Michal KOVAC elected president; percent of parliamentary vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovensky Repubiky (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 September-1 October 1994 (next to be held by October 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS 35%, SDL 10.4%, Hungarian coalition (Hungarian Christian Democrats, Hungarian Civic Party, Coexistence) 10.2%, KDH 10.1%, DU 8.6%, ZRS 7.3%, SNS 5.4%; seats by party - governing coalition 83 (HZDS 61, ZRS 13, SNS 9), opposition 67 (SDL 18, Hungarian coalition 17, KDH 17, DU 15)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the NationalParliament
Political parties and leaders: Movement for a Democratic Slovakia orHZDS [Vladimir MECIAR, chairman]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL[Jozef MIGAS, chairman]; Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement orMKDH [Vojtech BUGAR]; Hungarian Civic Party or MOS [Laszlo A. NAGY,president]; Coexistence [Miklos DURAY, chairman]; Christian DemocraticMovement or KDH [Jan CARNOGURSKY, chairman]; Democratic Union or DU[Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman]; Association of Slovak Workers or ZRS [JanLUPTAK, chairman]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA, chairman];Slovak Green Alternative or SZA [Zora LAZAROVA, chairwoman]; Farmers'Party of Slovakia or RSS [Pavel DELINGA, chairman]; Social DemocraticParty of Slovakia or SSDS [Jaroslav WOLF, chairman]; Party of Greensin Slovakia or SZS [Jozef POKORNY, chaiman]; Democratic Party or DS[Jan LANGOS, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Party of Entrepreneurs andBusinessmen of Slovakia; Christian Social Union; Confederation ofTrade Unions or KOZ; Metal Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG;Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns andVillages or ZMOS
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC(observer), CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant),FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Inmarsat, Intelsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,NACC, NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNTAES, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Branislav LICHARDUS chancery: (temporary) Suite 250, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone : [1] (202) 965-5160 FAX: [1] (202) 965-5166
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph R. JOHNSON embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address : use embassy street address telephone: [42] (7) 533-0861, 533-3338 FAX: [42] (7) 533-5439
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Economy
Economy - overview: Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic on 1 January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally controlled economy to a modern market-oriented economy. Macroeconomic performance improved steadily in 1994-96, but privatization progressed only in fits and starts. Strong export performance boosted GDP growth to 4.8% in 1994 after a four-year decline. GDP surged to 7.4% growth in 1995 and should be only slightly less in 1996, the fastest growth in Central and Eastern Europe. Unemployment fell to about 12% in 1996 and inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to 5.5% in 1996, the lowest in the region. Foreign debt of $4.6 billion also is the lowest in the region and the second lowest per capita. Private activity now makes up roughly two-thirds of GDP. Positive international financial performance has led Standard & Poor's to raise its rating of the National Bank of Slovakia's foreign currency debt to just one step below investment grade. Although Slovak economic performance continues to be impressive, many warning signs of possible danger ahead have been raised. Aggregate demand has surged in the form of increased personal and government consumption. At the same time that the budget deficit is growing, the money supply has been rapidly increasing, which could apply upward pressure on inflation. The trade and current account deficits both are mounting as imports soar and exports sag. Perhaps most troubling, Slovakia continues to have difficulty attracting foreign investment because of perceived political problems and halting progress on restructuring and privatization. The government projects 6.4% growth in 1997 and 5% in 1998. Continuing economic recovery in western Europe should boost exports and production, but Slovakia's image with foreign creditors and investors could suffer setbacks in 1997 if progress on privatization and restructuring stalls.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $42.8 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.4% industry: 39.9% services: 54.7% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.5% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 2.538 million by occupation : industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8.0%, transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $5.3 billion expenditures : $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (1996 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 7.12 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 23.6 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,400 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; hogs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Exports: total value: $8.1 billion (January-November 1996) commodities : machinery and transport equipment 18.7%; chemicals 13.4%; miscellaneous manufactured goods 13.1%; raw materials 5.0% (1995) partners: EU 37.4%, Central Europe Free Trade Agreement 44.3% (Czech Republic 35.2%), FSU 7.1% (1995)
Imports: total value : $9.6 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1996) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29.0%; fuels 18.0%; intermediate manufactured goods 17.6%; miscellaneous manufactured goods 8.0% (1995) partners: EU 34.7%, Central Europe Free Trade Agreement 32.9% (Czech Republic 27.5%), FSU 19.5% (1995)
Debt - external: $4.6 billion hard currency indebtedness (1995 est.)
Economic aid: NA
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 31.50 (January 1997), 30.654 (1996), 29.713 (1995), 32.045 (1994), 30.770 (1993), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991); note - values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rate
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Slovakia:Communications
Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there are 22 private broadcast stations and 1 public (state) broadcast station
Radios: 915,000 (1995 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 56 private broadcast stations, 1 public (state) broadcast station (1995 est.)
Televisions: 1.2 million (1995 est.)
@Slovakia:Transportation
Railways: total: 3,660 km broad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge : 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1424 km electrified) narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1995)
Highways: total: 17,868 km paved: 17,654 km (including 198 km of expressways) unpaved: 214 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 172 km on the Danube
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports and harbors: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine: total: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,010 GRT/22,039 DWT (1996 est.)
Airports: 37 (1994 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (1994 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 10 under 914 m: 11 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Reserve Force(Home Guards)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,462,052 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,118,955 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 48,245 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $423 million (1996)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish bound for Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________
@Slovenia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, eastern Alps bordering the AdriaticSea, between Austria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total : 20,256 sq km land: 20,256 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,334 kmborder countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km,Hungary 102 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver
Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops : 3% permanent pastures: 28% forests and woodland: 51% other: 6% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes
Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94
@Slovenia:People
Population: 1,973,096 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 173,932; female 165,167) 15-64 years : 70% (male 690,309; female 686,440) 65 years and over: 13% (male 92,926; female 164,322) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.06% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 8.91 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 9.54 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.93 years male: 71.24 years female: 78.84 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.22 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 70.8% (including 2% Uniate), Lutheran 1%,Muslim 1%, other 27.2%
Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6%, other 3%
Literacy: definition: NA total population : 99% male: NA% female: NA%
@Slovenia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form : Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenije local short form: Slovenija
Data code: SI
Government type: emerging democracy
National capital: Ljubljana
Administrative divisions: 136 municipalities (obcine, singular -obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (obcine mestne, singular - obcinamestna) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Bled, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Brda,Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova-Tisina, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem,Cerknica, Cerkno, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj,Destrnik-Trnovska Vas, Divaca, Dobrepolje, Dobrova-Horjul-PolhovGradec, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek,Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, GornjiPetrovci, Grosuplje, Hodos Salovci, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija,Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola, Jesenice, Jursinci,Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Koper*,Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart,Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina,Loski Potok, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Medvode, Menges,Metlika, Mezica, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mislinja, Moravce, MoravskeToplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*,Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran, Pivka,Podcetrtek, Podvelka-Ribnica, Postojna, Preddvor, Ptuj*, Puconci,Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica,Ravne-Prevalje, Ribnica, Rogasevci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse,Semic, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica,Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, SlovenskaBistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki,Sostanj, Starse Store, Sveti Jurij, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic,Turnisce, Velenje*, Velike Lasce, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, VodiceVojnik, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki,Ziri, Zrece
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: National Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch: chief of state: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held NA November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: Milan KUCAN elected president; percent of vote - 63.9%; Janez DRNOVSEK elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 51%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats, 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on a proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : National Assembly - last held 10 November 1996 (next to be held Fall 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - LDS 27.01%, SLS 19.38%, SDS 16.13%, SKD 9.62%, ZLDS 9.03%, DeSUS 4.32%, SNS 3.22%; seats by party - LDS 25, SLS 19, SDS 16, SKD 10, ZLSD 9, DeSUS 5, SNS 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1; note - seating as of January 1997 is as follows: LDS 25, SLS 19, SDS 16, SKD 9, ZLSD 9, DeSUS 5, SNS 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1, independents 1 note: the National Council or Drzavni Svet is an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws and ask to review any National Assembly decisions; in the election of 6 December 1992, 40 members were elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomic interests (next election to be held in the fall of 1997)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the NationalAssembly on recommendation of the Judicial Council; ConstitutionalCourt, judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly andnominated by the president
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic or LDS [JanezDRNOVSEK, chairman]; Slovene Christian Democrats or SKD [LozjePETERLE, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDS [JanezJANSA, chairman]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Marjan PODOBNIK,chairman]; United List (former Communists and allies) or ZLSD [JanezKOCIJANCIC, chairman]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC,chairman]; Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS[Joze GLOBACNIK]
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,NACC (observer), NAM (guest), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Ernest PETRIC chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Victor JACKOVICH embassy: address NA, Ljubljana mailing address: P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljana; American Embassy, Ljubljana, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone : [386] (61) 301-427, 472, 485 FAX: [386] (61) 301-401
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy
Economy - overview: Slovenia appears to be making a solid economic recovery, fulfilling the promise it showed at the time of Yugoslavia's breakup. Its per capita GDP is now the highest in Central and Eastern Europe and comparable to the levels in the poorer West European countries. Slovenia has benefited from strong ties to Western Europe and suffered comparatively small physical damage during Yugoslavia's breakup. The beginning was difficult, however. Real GDP fell 15% in 1991-92, while inflation soared to 200% in 1992. The turning point came in 1993, when real GDP grew 1%, unemployment leveled off, and inflation slowed dramatically. In 1994, real GDP rose 5.5%, tapering off to an estimated 3.5% in 1995 and an estimated 3% in 1996. The government gets good marks from foreign observers for fiscal policy - the budget deficit has not exceeded 1% of GDP in any year since 1991, and the current account balance has remained in surplus throughout the transition period, with the exception of 1995-96. The Slovene privatization program, which began in 1994, involves about 1,400 firms, but less than half have been privatized. Growth in the near term depends largely on economic revitalization in Western Europe which buys 70% of Slovenia's exports. Slovenia itself must press on with privatization, restructuring, the encouragement of foreign investment, and the maintenance of a stable tolar.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $24 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $12,300 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 33.2% services : 62% (1996)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8.8% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total : 857,400 by occupation: NA%
Unemployment rate: 13% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues : $8.48 billion expenditures: $8.53 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate: -1% (1996 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 2.361 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 12 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 5,362 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry
Exports: total value: $8.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities : machinery and transport equipment 31.4%, manufactured goods 50.7%, chemicals 10.5%, food 3.8% (1995) partners: Germany 28.9%, former Yugoslavia 16.5%, Italy 13.6%, France 8.6%, Austria 6.4%, US 3.3% (January-July 1996 est.)
Imports: total value : $9.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 33.8%, manufactured goods 30.4%, chemicals 12.1%, fuels and lubricants 6.6%, food 8.4% (1995) partners: Germany 22.3%, Italy 17.1%, former Yugoslavia 7.4%, France 9.2%, Austria 9.1%, US 3.2% (January-July 1996 est.)
Debt - external: $4.3 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $5 million (1993)
Currency: 1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates: tolars (SlT) per US$1 - 141.15 (December 1996), 135.36 (1996), 118.52 (1995), 128.81 (1994), 113.24 (1993), 81.29 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Slovenia:Communications
Telephones: 527,800 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 0 note: there are more than 20 regional and local radio broadcast stations
Radios: 596,100 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7 note: there are more than 20 local cable television broadcast stations
Televisions: 454,400 (1993 est.)
@Slovenia:Transportation
Railways: total : 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 499 km) (1994)
Highways: total: 14,760 km paved: 11,808 km (including 218 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,952 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: NA
Pipelines: crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports and harbors: Izola, Koper, Piran
Merchant marine: total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 217,629 GRT/389,779 DWT (controlled by Slovenian owners) ships by type : bulk 9, cargo 5 note: ships operate under the flags of Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Singapore; no ships remain under the Slovenian flag (1996 est.)
Airports: 14 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Slovene Defense Forces
Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 531,797 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 423,918 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 15,572 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $298 million (1996)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% to 1.7% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: maritime border dispute with Croatia over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; the border issue is currently under negotiation; Italy is negotiating with Slovenia over property and minority rights issues dating from World War II
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe and for precursor chemicals ______________________________________________________________________
@Solomon Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 28,450 sq km land: 27,540 sq km water: 910 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 88% other : 9% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons, but they are rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; much of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified : Law of the Sea
@Solomon Islands:People
Population: 426,855 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 98,797; female 95,162) 15-64 years : 52% (male 111,702; female 108,505) 65 years and over: 3% (male 6,345; female 6,344) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.3% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 37.3 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 4.31 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.45 years male: 68.96 years female: 74.07 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.27 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups: Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%,European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Religions: Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, otherProtestant 5%, traditional beliefs 4%
Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2% of population note: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: NA
@Solomon Islands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands
Data code: BP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Honiara
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western note: there may be two new provinces of Choiseul (Lauru) and Rennell/Bellona and the administrative unit of Honiara may have been abolished
Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution: 7 July 1978
Legal system: common law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Moses PITAKAKA (since 10 June 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Solomon MAMALONI (since 7 November 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Francis SAEMALA (since NA February 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (47 seats; members elected from single member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 26 May 1993 (next to be held 6 August 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNUR 21, PAP 7, NAPSI 5, SILP 4, UP 4, independents 6
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: National Unity and Reconciliation Group(GNUR), Solomon MAMALONI; People's Alliance Party (PAP); NationalAction Party (NAPSI), leader NA; Solomon Islands Labor Party (SILP),leader NA; United Party (UP), leader NA; Nationalist Front forProgress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKU;Christian Fellowship, leader NA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO,G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat(nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Rex HOROI (represents the country as both the Permanent Representative to the UN and the ambassador to the US) chancery: Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the UN, 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10017 telephone : [1] (212) 599-6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
Economy
Economy - overview: The bulk of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. The Government of the Solomon Islands is nearing financial insolvency. In mid-1995 the central bank suspended interest and principal payments on government bonds and treasury bills held by financial institutions and the general public. The government so far has taken no steps to restrain expenditure or address the deficit, which is expected to be considerably higher than the $20 million forecasted in the 1996 budget.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.4% (1996)
Labor force: total: 26,842 by occupation: services 41.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 23.7%, commerce, transport, and finance 21.7%, construction, manufacturing, and mining 13.1% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $147 million expenditures: $168 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: copra, fish (tuna)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 20,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 55 million kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish
Exports: total value: $170 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: timber, fish, palm oil, cocoa, copra partners : Japan 39%, UK 23%, Thailand 9%, Australia 5%, US 2% (1991)
Imports: total value: $152 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: plant and machinery, manufactured goods, food and live animals, fuel partners: Australia 34%, Japan 16%, Singapore 14%, NZ 9%
Debt - external: $100 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $8.625 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $3.3 million from NZ (FY95/96)
Currency: 1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 3.7900 (November 1996), 3.4059 (1995), 3.2914 (1994), 3.1877 (1993), 2.9281 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Solomon Islands:Communications
Telephones: 5,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 38,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
@Solomon Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total : 2,100 km paved: 32 km unpaved: 2,068 km (includes about 800 km of private plantation roads) (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor,Yandina
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 29 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m : 17 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: no regular military forces; Solomon IslandsNational Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon IslandsPolice (RSIP)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________