Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references: World
Area: total: 165.384 million sq km note: includes Bali Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Savu Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area-comparative: about 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world
Coastline: 135,663 km
Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal-a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian land mass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and East Asia from May to December
Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mariana Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs from Antarctica; cyclical El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peru, when the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial Countercurrent moves south, killing the plankton that is the primary food source for anchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birds to starve by the thousands because of the loss of their food source; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May and in extreme south from May to October; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment-current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea
Environment-international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait, PanamaCanal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides thePacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South PacificOcean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands inthe southwestern Pacific Ocean
@Pacific Ocean:Government
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for hydrographic codes-see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes appendix
@Pacific Ocean:Economy
Economy-overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985 over half (54%) of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.
Communications
Telephone system: international: several submarine cables with network nodal points on Guam and Hawaii
@Pacific Ocean:Transportation
Ports and harbors: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan),Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), SanFrancisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney(Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
@Pacific Ocean:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
______________________________________________________________________
@Pakistan:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 6,774 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km,Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 5% other: 61% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 171,100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment-current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
@Pakistan:People
Population: 135,135,195 (July 1998 est.) note: population figures based on 1981 national census results-1998 census results are pending
Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 29,083,284; female 27,425,172) 15-64 years: 54% (male 37,432,059; female 35,731,170) 65 years and over: 4% (male 2,716,739; female 2,746,771) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.2% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 34.38 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 10.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 93.48 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.07 years male: 58.23 years female: 59.96 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.91 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%,Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%,English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and mostgovernment ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.8% male: 50% female: 24.4% (1995 est.)
@Pakistan:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan
Data code: PK
Government type: federal republic
National capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the republic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims and tribal areas
Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR (since 31 December 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF (since 17 February 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 31 December 1997 (next to be held no later than 1 January 2002); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Mohammad Rafiq TARAR elected president; percent of Parliament and provincial vote-NA; Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote-NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members up for election every two years) and the National Assembly (217 seats; 207 represent Muslims and 10 represent non-Muslims; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate-last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 1999); National Assembly-last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J 2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; National Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party-PML/N 137, PPP 18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1, independents 21, minorities 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court
Political parties and leaders: government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N), Nawaz SHARIF; Balochistan National Movement/Mengal Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTI; Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto (PPP/SB), Ghinva BHUTTO; Baluch National Party (BNP), leader NA opposition: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National Movement/Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan; Awami National Party (ANP), Wali KHAN frequently shifting: Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI); Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO; Pakistan National Party (PNP); Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an umbrella organization which includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S), Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan (TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction (JUP/NO) note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently; subsequent to the election Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F) was disbanded
Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO,ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA,SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH,UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz KHOKAR chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas W. SIMONS, Jr. embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179 FAX: [92] (51) 214222 consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore consulate(s): Peshawar
Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
@Pakistan:Economy
Economy-overview: Pakistan continues to suffer through a damaging foreign exchange crisis. The crisis stems from years of loose fiscal policies that exacerbated inflation and allowed the public debt, money supply, and current account deficit to explode. In April 1997, Prime Minister SHARIF introduced a stimulus package of tax cuts intended to boost failing industrial output and spur export growth. At that time, the IMF endorsed the program, paving the way for a $1.5 billion Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility. Although the economy showed signs of improvement following the measures, SHARIF has refused to implement the tough structural reforms necessary for sustained, longer-term growth. As a consequence, at yearend 1997, industrial production continued to flag, foreign exchange reserves continued to teeter around $1 billion-only four weeks of imports-and borrowing to support the budget deficit already exceeded the amount allocated for the entire fiscal year. At the same time, the government must cope with long-standing economic vulnerabilities-inadequate infrastructure, low levels of literacy, and increasing sectarian, ethnic, and tribal violence.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$344 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.1% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,600 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 24.2% industry: 26.4% services: 49.4% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.8% (FY96/97)
Labor force: total: 37.8 million (1998) by occupation: agriculture 47%, mining and manufacturing 17%, services 17%, other 19% note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $9.6 billion expenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (FY96/97 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 13.169 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 58.1 billion kWh (1997)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 436 kWh (1997)
Agriculture-products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Exports: total value: $8.2 billion (FY96/97) commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets partners: EU, US, Hong Kong, Japan
Imports: total value: $11.4 billion (FY96/97) commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: EU, Japan, US, China
Debt-external: $33 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: $2.2 billion from all bilateral and multilateral sources (FY96/97)
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1-44.050 (January 1998), 41.112 (1997), 36.079 (1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.1 (1993); note-annual average of official rate; parallel market rate is higher
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 2.552 million (1997)
Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate for government and business use, in part because major businesses have established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a priority basis; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily available to the major portion of the population domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11
Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.)
@Pakistan:Transportation
Railways: total: 8,163 km broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km double track) narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.)
Highways: total: 224,774 km paved: 128,121 km unpaved: 96,653 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987)
Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine: total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 416,875 GRT/684,580 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 15, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 115 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 80 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 6 (1997 est.)
@Pakistan:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, NationalGuard
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 32,450,056 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 19,888,353 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually: males: 1,472,272 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.3 billion (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.3% (FY96/97)
@Pakistan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with India over the Indus River (Wular Barrage)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade (cultivation in 1997-4,100 hectares, a 21% increase over 1996; potential production-85 metric tons, a 13% increase over 1996); center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets
______________________________________________________________________
@Palau:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 458 sq km land: 458 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm extended fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment-current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment-international agreements: party to: Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
@Palau:People
Population: 18,110 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 2,555; female 2,405) 15-64 years: 68% (male 6,727; female 5,535) 65 years and over: 5% (male 416; female 472) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.96% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 21.26 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.22 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.54 years male: 64.49 years female: 70.78 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, andMelanesian races
Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah'sWitnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-DaySaints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes thisreligion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese (in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in the other 13 states)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.)
@Palau:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form: Belau former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Data code: PS
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
National capital: Koror note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap
Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states named Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: Kuniwo NAKAMURA reelected president; percent of vote-Kuniwo NAKAMURA 64%, Chief Ibedul Yutuka GIBBONS 36%; Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. reelected vice president; percent of vote-Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. 69%, Kione ISECHAL 31%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (14 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats-one from each state; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate-last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000); House of Delegates-last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA; House of Delegates-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders: Palau Nationalist Party, PolycarpBASILIUS
International organization participation: ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IMF, SPC,SPF, UN, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila); Charge d'Affaires Gerald PASCUA embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
@Palau:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The population enjoys a per capita income of more than twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$160 million (1997 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP-real growth rate: 10% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$8,800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 7%
Budget: revenues: $52.9 million expenditures: $59.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), some commercial fishing and agriculture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 62,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 195 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 11,704 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Exports: total value: $14.3 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts partners: US, Japan
Imports: total value: $72.4 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: NA partners: US
Debt-external: about $100 million (1989)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, will provide Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 1,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.)
@Palau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km
Ports and harbors: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Palau:Military
Military branches: NA
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Palau:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
(territory of the US)
@Palmyra Atoll:Geography
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 11.9 sq km land: 11.9 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 14.5 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain: very low
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 100% other: 0%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
@Palmyra Atoll:People
Population: uninhabited
@Palmyra Atoll:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Data code: LQ
Dependency status: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered from Washington, DC by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
@Palmyra Atoll:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Palmyra Atoll:Transportation
Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during World WarII are unserviceable and overgrown
Ports and harbors: West Lagoon
Airports: airstrip has been overgrown by vegetation and is no longer serviceable
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Palmyra Atoll:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Palmyra Atoll:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Panama:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 78,200 sq km land: 75,990 sq km water: 2,210 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May toJanuary), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp
Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 44% other: 27% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
@Panama:People
Population: 2,735,943 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 446,001; female 428,532) 15-64 years: 62% (male 864,382; female 841,870) 65 years and over: 6% (male 74,529; female 80,629) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.56% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 21.99 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.47 years male: 71.73 years female: 77.31 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.57 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages: Spanish (official), English 14% note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.8% male: 91.4% female: 90.2% (1995 est.)
@Panama:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama
Data code: PM
Government type: constitutional republic
National capital: Panama
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular-provincia) and 2 territories* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, Veraguas, and a new, as yet unnamed territory* or 'comarca' created 7 March 1997 when President PEREZ BALLADARES signed a bill designating a reserve stretched across three provinces
Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent fromSpain 28 November 1821)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994); First Vice President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (since 1 September 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994); First Vice President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (since 1 September 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 2 May 1999) election results: Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES elected president; percent of vote-Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA) 29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES (MOLIRENA) 16%
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 2 May 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PRD 32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14, MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA 3, PRC 3, PLN 2, PDC 1, UDI 1, MORENA 1 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), nine judges appointed for 10-year terms; five superior courts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:governing coalition: Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), GerardoGONZALEZ; National Liberal Party (PLN), Raul ARANGO, founder; PopularNationalist Party, Jorge FLORESother parties: Solidarity Party (PS), Samuel LEWIS GALINDO;Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Guillermo FORD;Arnulfista Party (PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; Christian DemocraticParty (PDC), Ruben AROSEMENA; Papa Egoro Movement (MPE), Ruben BLADES;Civic Renewal Party (PRC), Carlos ABADIA; National Renovation Movement(MORENA), Pedro VALLARINO; Authentic Liberal Party (PLA); Labor Party(PALA); Independent Democratic Union (UDI)
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Council of OrganizedWorkers (CONATO); National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP);Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE); National CivicCrusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists Society (SIP);Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama (CTRP)
International organization participation: AG (associate), CACM, CCC,ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eloy ALFARO de Alba chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William John HUGHES embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 227-1777 FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
@Panama:Economy
Economy-overview: Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. Since taking office in 1994, President PEREZ BALLADARES has advanced an economic reform program designed to liberalize the trade regime, attract foreign investment, privatize state-owned enterprises, institute fiscal reform, and encourage job creation through labor code reform. The government privatized its two remaining ports along the Panama Canal in 1997 and approved the sale of the railroad in early 1998. It also plans to sell other assets, including the electric company. Panama joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) and approved a tariff reduction that will give the country the lowest average tariff rates in Latin America. A banking reform law was approved by the legislature in early 1998 and will take effect in June. After two years of near stagnation, the reforms are beginning to take root; GDP grew by 3.6% in 1997 and is expected to grow by more than 5% in 1998. The most important sectors driving growth have been the Panama Canal and the shipping and port activities. The Colon Free Zone also rebounded from a slow year in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$18 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.6% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$6,700 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 18% services: 74% (1997 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.2% (1997)
Labor force: total: 1.044 million (1997 est.) by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture, hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%, manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3% note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Unemployment rate: 13.1% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $2.4 billion expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $341 million (1997 est.)
Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 957 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 3.6 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,355 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; fishing (shrimp)
Exports: total value: $592 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2% partners: US 37%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Imports: total value: $2.95 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer goods, chemicals partners: US 48%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
Debt-external: $7.26 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: NA
Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1-1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 273,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic and international facilities well developeddomestic: NAinternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations-2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American MicrowaveSystem
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 564,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 23
Televisions: 420,000 (1992 est.)
@Panama:Transportation
Railways: total: 355 km broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways: total: 11,100 km paved: 3,730 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,370 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km PanamaCanal
Pipelines: crude oil 130 km
Ports and harbors: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Vacamonte, Manzanillo
Merchant marine: total: 4,350 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 89,622,112 GRT/137,529,188 DWT ships by type: bulk 1,240, cargo 1,033, chemical tanker 195, combination bulk 67, combination ore/oil 19, container 426, liquefied gas tanker 175, livestock carrier 9, multifunction large-load carrier 5, oil tanker 524, passenger 40, passenger-cargo 6, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 296, roll-on/roll-off cargo 101, short-sea passenger 40, specialized tanker 15, vehicle carrier 158 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 76 countries among which are Japan 1,236, Greece 418, Hong Kong 273, South Korea 247, Taiwan 227, China 185, Singapore 119, US 112, Switzerland 85, and Indonesia 60 (1997 est.)
Airports: 109 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 19 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 52 (1997 est.)
@Panama:Military
Military branches: an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 733,019 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 502,731 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $78 million (1995); note-for police and security forces
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Panama:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving
______________________________________________________________________
@Papua New Guinea:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0.1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 92.9% other: 6% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Rim of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides
Environment-current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought
Environment-international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
@Papua New Guinea:People
Population: 4,599,785 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 936,206; female 888,427) 15-64 years: 57% (male 1,374,471; female 1,263,750) 65 years and over: 3% (male 62,593; female 74,338) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.27% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 32.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 57.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.06 years male: 57.18 years female: 58.98 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.26 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestantsects 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%
Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 72.2% male: 81% female: 62.7% (1995 est.)
@Papua New Guinea:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea abbreviation: PNG
Data code: PP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Port Moresby
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu,Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang,Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern,Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West NewBritain
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: 16 September 1975
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since 13 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Bill SKATE (since 22 July 1997); Deputy Prime Minister Michael NALI (since 16 December 1997); note-NALI replaces Deputy Prime Minister Chris HAIVETA (since 7 September 1994) who Prime Minister SKATE fired on 12 December 1997 for his alleged role in trying to discredit SKATE cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general for up to five years on the basis of majority support in National Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament-sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats-89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002) election results: percent of vote by party-PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party-PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note-association with political parties is very fluid
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice, other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission
Political parties and leaders: Bougainville Unity Alliance (BUA),Samuel AKOITAI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Michael NALI; Papua NewGuinea United Party (Pangu Pati), Chris HAIVETA; National Alliance(NA), Michael SOMARE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), IarioLASARO; People's Action Party (PAP), Ted DIRO; United Party (UP),Rimbiuk PATO; National Party (NP), Paul PORA; People's Unity Party(PUP), Alfred KAIABE; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS;Movement for Greater Autonomy, Stephen POKAWIN; Christian DemocraticParty, Dilu GOMA; Papua New Guinea First Party (includes People'sNational Congress or PNC, Bill SKATE, and Christian Country Party,Avusi TANO) leader NA; People's Resources Awareness Party, leader NA;Liberal Party, Rabbie SAMAI; People's Solidarity Party, Kala SWOKIM;Melanesian Labour Party, Paul MONDIA; Black Action Party, Paul WANJIK;League for National Advancement (LNA), leader NA; United ResourceParty, Masket IANGALIO; Hausman Party, Waim TOKAM; Milne Bay Party,Simon MUMURIK
International organization participation: ACP, APEC, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nagora Y. BOGAN chancery: 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arma Jane KARAER embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
@Papua New Guinea:Economy
Economy-overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing an infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for the bulk of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy. In 1995, Port Moresby reached agreement with the IMF and World Bank on a structural adjustment program, of which the first phase was successfully completed in 1996. Droughts caused by the El Nino weather pattern wreaked havoc on Papua New Guinea's coffee, cocoa, and coconut production, the mainstays of the agricultural-based economy and major sources of export earnings. The coffee crop was slashed by up to 50% in 1997. Moreover, droughts could bite into growth in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.6 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.3% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,650 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 26.4% industry: 41% services: 32.6% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 11.6% (1996)
Labor force: total: 1.941 million by occupation: agriculture 64% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 490,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 1.76 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 410 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork