Exports: total value: $434.3 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1994)
Imports: total value: $490 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods partners: US 40%, Netherlands 24%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 3% (1994)
Debt-external: $216 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: the Netherlands provided a 1996 aid package of $224 million to Suriname, Aruba, and the Netherlands Antilles
Currency: 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1-central bank midpoint rate: 401.00 (January 1998), 401.00 (1997), 401.26 (1996), 442.23 (1995), 134.12 (1994); parallel rate: 412 (December 1995), 510 (December 1994), 109 (January 1994) note: beginning July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate was unified and became market determined
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 43,522 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international facilities good domestic: microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 32, shortwave 1
Radios: 290,256 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10 (1998 est.)
Televisions: 59,598 (1993 est.)
@Suriname:Transportation
Railways: total: 166 km (single track) standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 4,530 km paved: 1,178 km unpaved: 3,352 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways
Ports and harbors: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam,Wageningen
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 45 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 33 (1997 est.)
@Suriname:Military
Military branches: National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 117,031 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 68,985 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $8.5 million (1997 est.)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.6% (1997 est.)
@Suriname:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims area in French Guiana between LitaniRivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa Rivier);claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) andCourantyne/Koetari [Kutari] Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined mostly for Europe
______________________________________________________________________
(territory of Norway)
@Svalbard:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, BarentsSea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total: 62,049 sq km land: 62,049 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,587 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia territorial sea: 4 nm
Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year
Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: ice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area
@Svalbard:People
Population: 2,594 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -3.55% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Ethnic groups: Russian and Ukrainian 62%, Norwegian 38%, other NEGL% (1994)
Languages: Russian, Norwegian
@Svalbard:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen)
Data code: SV
Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway
Government type: NA
National capital: Longyearbyen
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
National holiday: NA
Legal system: NA
Executive branch: chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Ann-Krisitin OLSEN (since NA) and Assistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN (since NA September 1993) elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice
International organization participation: none
Flag description: the flag of Norway is used
@Svalbard:Economy
Economy-overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus.
Labor force: NA
Budget: revenues: $11.7 million expenditures: $11.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Economic aid: recipient: Norway, $8.7 million (1997)
Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1-7.4875 (January 1998), 7.0734 (1997), 6.4498 (1996), 6.3352 (1995), 7.0576 (1994), 7.0941 (1993)
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: local telephone service international: satellite earth station-1 of NA type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 2), shortwave 0 note: there are five meteorological/radio stations
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Svalbard:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 4 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.)
@Svalbard:Military
Military-note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
@Svalbard:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway and Russia
______________________________________________________________________
@Swaziland:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 17,360 sq km land: 17,200 sq km water: 160 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 62% forests and woodland: 7% other: 20% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by SouthAfrica
@Swaziland:People
Population: 966,462 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 223,649; female 224,782) 15-64 years: 51% (male 238,547; female 255,137) 65 years and over: 3% (male 9,625; female 14,722) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.96% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 41 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 21.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 103.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 38.53 years male: 37.31 years female: 39.79 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.96 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi
Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3%
Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%
Languages: English (official, government business conducted inEnglish), siSwati (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.7% male: 78% female: 75.6% (1995 est.)
@Swaziland:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland
Data code: WZ
Government type: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
National capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini,Shiselweni
Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been formally presented to the people
Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA; note-no suffrage before September 1993; 55 of the 65 seats in the House of Assembly were filled by popular vote in the elections of September and October 1993; of a population of less than 1 million, the electorate numbered 283,693
Executive branch: chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas DLAMINI (since 9 August 1996) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the king elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; prime minister appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (20 seats, 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 10 appointed by the king; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats, 10 appointed by the king and 55 elected by secret, popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly-last held 26 September and 11 October 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: House of Assembly-balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch: High Court, judges are appointed by the king; Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders:note: political parties are banned by the constitution promulgated on13 October 1978; illegal parties are prohibited from holding largepublic gatheringsillegal parties: Peoples' United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [MarioMASUKU]; Swaziland Youth Congress or SWAYOCO (included in PUDEMO);Swaziland Communist Party or SWACOPA [Mphandlana SHONGWE]; SwazilandLiberation Front or FROLISA; Convention for Full Democracy inSwaziland or COFUDESWA [Sabelo DLAMINI]; Swaziland National Front orSWANAFRO; Ngwane Socialist Revolutionary Party or NGWASOREP; SwazilandDemocratic Alliance (represents key opposition parties) [JerryNXUMALO]; Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions or SFTU [Jan SITHOLE]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA chancery: Suite 3M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683 FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alan R. McKEE embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 46441 through 46445 FAX: [268] 45959
Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
@Swaziland:Economy
Economy-overview: In this small landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 60% of the population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978, and health concerns have cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of soft drink concentrate, sugar and wood pulp are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives nearly 90% of its imports and to which it sends more than half of its exports. Remittances from Swazi workers in South African mines supplement domestically earned income by as much as 20%. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, and drought persist as problems for the future.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.9 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3% (19976 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$3,800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 42% services: 48% (1997 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 9.5% (1997)
Labor force: total: 135,000 (1996) by occupation: private sector about 70%, public sector about 30%
Unemployment rate: 22% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $400 million expenditures: $450 million, including capital expenditures of $115 million (FY96/97)
Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (FY95/96)
Electricity-capacity: 130,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 407 million kWh (1995) note: imports 60% of its electricity from South Africa
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,062 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, corn, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Exports: total value: $893 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn (1995) partners: South Africa 58%, EU 20%, Mozambique 6% (1994)
Imports: total value: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals (1995) partners: South Africa 88%, Japan, UK, US (FY94/95)
Debt-external: $194 million (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: emalangeni (E) per US$1-4.9417 (January 1998), 4.5998 (1997), 4.2706 (1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993); note-the Swazi emalangeni are at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 30,364 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 129,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 12,500 (1992 est.)
@Swaziland:Transportation
Railways: total: 297 km; note-includes 71 km which are not in use narrow gauge: 297 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 2,885 km paved: 814 km unpaved: 2,071 km (1994 est.)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 18 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.)
@Swaziland:Military
Military branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), RoyalSwaziland Police Force
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 215,708 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 125,580 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $22 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Swaziland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
______________________________________________________________________
@Sweden:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,928 sq km water: 39,036 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline: 3,218 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)
Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 68% other: 24% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Environment-current issues: acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
Environment-international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
@Sweden:People
Population: 8,886,738 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 852,520; female 808,600) 15-64 years: 64% (male 2,885,783; female 2,792,964) 65 years and over: 17% (male 653,631; female 893,240) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.26% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 11.7 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.69 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: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.19 years male: 76.52 years female: 82 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish
Ethnic groups: white, Lapp (Sami), foreign-born or first-generation immigrants 12% (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987)
Languages: Swedish note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
@Sweden:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige
Data code: SW
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Stockholm
Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (lan, singular and plural);Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan, Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan,Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan, Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan,Kopparbergs Lan, Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan,Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan,Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan,Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands Lan
Independence: 6 June 1523, Gustav VASA was elected king; 6 June 1809, a constitutional monarchy was established
National holiday: Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June
Constitution: 1 January 1975
Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the king (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister elected by the Parliament; election last held NA March 1996 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: Goran PERSSON elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 183 votes out of 349
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 September 1994 (next to be held 20 September 1998) election results: percent of vote by party-Social Democrats 45.4%, Moderate Party (Conservatives) 22.3%, Center Party 7.7%, Liberals 7.2%, Left Party 6.2%, Greens 5.8%, Christian Democrats 4.1%, New Democracy Party 1.2%; seats by party-Social Democrats 162, Moderate Party (Conservatives) 80, Center Party 27, Liberals 26, Left Party 22, Greens 18, Christian Democrats 14; note-the New Democracy Party did not receive a seat because parties require a minimum of 4.0% of votes for a seat in parliament
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen, judges are appointed by the government (prime minister and cabinet)
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [GoranPERSSON]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Carl BILDT]; Liberal People'sParty [Maria LEISSNER]; Center Party; Christian Democratic Party [AlfSVENSSON]; New Democracy Party [Vivianne FRANZEN]; Left Party or VP(Communist) [Gudrun SCHYMAN]; Communist Workers' Party [Rolf HAGEL];Green Party [no formal leader but party spokesperson is BrigerSCHLAUG]
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB,Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA,EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 8, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINUGUA, MONUA, MTCR, NAM(guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN SecurityCouncil (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH,UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rolf EKEUS chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lyndon Lowell OLSON, Jr. embassy: Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [46] (8) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (8) 661 19 64
Flag description: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
@Sweden:Economy
Economy-overview: Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole twentieth century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by budgetary difficulties, inflation, high unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy, the government adopted an adjustment program in November 1994 that aims to eliminate the government budget deficit and to stabilize the debt to GDP ratio. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995. Sweden has decided not to join the EMU (European Monetary Union). Annual GDP growth should edge up to 2.5% in 1998-99.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$176.2 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.1% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$19,700 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 27% services: 71% (1993)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1997 est.)
Labor force: total: 4.552 million (84% unionized, 1992) by occupation: community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 6.6% plus about 5% in training programs (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $109.4 billion expenditures: $146.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96)
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 35.462 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 142.913 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 15,996 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk
Exports: total value: $84.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products partners: EU 59.1% (Germany 13.2%, UK 10.2%, Denmark 6.9%, France 5.1%), Norway 8.1%, Finland 4.8%, US 8.0% (1994)
Imports: total value: $66.6 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 18.4%, UK 9.5%, Denmark 6.6%, France 5.5%), Finland 6.3%, Norway 6.1%, US 8.5% (1994)
Debt-external: $66.5 billion (1994)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.769 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1-8.0085 (January 1998), 7.6349 (1997), 6.7060 (1996), 7.1333 (1995), 7.7160 (1994), 7.7834 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 January-31 December (Sweden changed its fiscal year from 1 July - 30 June in 1995)
Communications
Telephones: 13 million (1996 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cable carry most voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay network carries some additional telephone channels international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 360 (mostly repeaters), shortwave 0
Radios: 7.272 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 880 (mostly repeaters)
Televisions: 3.5 million
@Sweden:Transportation
Railways: total: 11,837 km (includes 1,955 km of privately-owned railways) standard gauge: 11,837 km 1.435-m gauge (7,317 km electrified and 1,152 km double track) (1996)
Highways: total: 138,000 km paved: 105,018 km (including 1,330 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,982 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges
Pipelines: natural gas 84 km
Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall,Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Merchant marine: total: 164 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,036,831 GRT/1,919,367 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 33, chemical tanker 27, combination ore/oil 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 29, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 41, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 12 (1997 est.)
Airports: 255 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 83 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 24 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 110 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 105 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Sweden:Military
Military branches: Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 2,088,061 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 1,827,336 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually: males: 52,208 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $5.8 billion (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY94/95)
@Sweden:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for and consumer of narcotics shipped via the CIS and Baltic states; increasing consumer of European amphetamines
______________________________________________________________________
@Switzerland:Geography
Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 41,290 sq km land: 39,770 sq km water: 1,520 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,852 kmborder countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 28% forests and woodland: 32% other: 28% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Environment-current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment-international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains the highest elevations in Europe
@Switzerland:People
Population: 7,260,357 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 642,365; female 613,931) 15-64 years: 68% (male 2,506,653; female 2,415,647) 65 years and over: 15% (male 436,804; female 644,957) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.22% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 10.81 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.03 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.42 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.88 years male: 75.71 years female: 82.22 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss
Ethnic groups: total population-German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% note: Swiss nationals-German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, no religion 8.9% (1990)
Languages: German 63.7%, French 19.2%, Italian 7.6%, Romansch 0.6%,other 8.9%note: figures for Swiss nationals only: German 74%, French 20%,Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
@Switzerland:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian) local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)
Data code: SZ
Government type: federal republic
National capital: Bern
Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular-canton inFrench; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone,singular-kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft,Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden,Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen,Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud,Zug, Zurich
Independence: 1 August 1291
National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the SwissConfederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution: 29 May 1874
Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Flavio COTTI (since 1 January 1998); Vice President Ruth DREIFUSS (since 1 January 1998); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Flavio COTTI (since 1 January 1998); Vice President Ruth DREIFUSS (since 1 January 1998); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Council or German-Bundesrat, French-Conseil Federal, Italian - Consiglio Federale elected by the Federal Assembly from among its own members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held 10 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 1998) election results: Flavio COTTI elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote-Flavio COTTI 90%; Ruth DREIFUSS elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - Ruth DREIFUSS 69%
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or German-Bundesversammlung, French-Assemblee Federale, Italian-Assemblea Federale consists of the Council of States or German-Standerat, French-Conseil des Etats, Italian-Consiglio degli Stati (46 seats; members are elected two from each canton and one from each half canton to serve four-year terms) and the National Council or German - Nationalrat, French-Conseil National, Italian-Consiglio Nazionale (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States-last held throughout 1997 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council-last held 20 October 1995 (next to be held probably 24 October 1999) election results: Council of States-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party - FDP 17, CVP 16, SVP 5, SPS 5, LPS 2, LdU 1; National Council-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-FDP 45, SPS 54, CVP 34, SVP 29, Greens 9, LPS 7, FPS 7, LdU 3, EVP 2, SD 3, PdAdS 3, Ticino League 1, EDU 1, FRAP 1, CSP 1
Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court, judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Radical Free Democratic Party(Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, PartiRadical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzeroor PLR) [Franz STEINEGGER, president]; Social Democratic Party(Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisseor PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocraticade la Svizra or PSS) [Ursula KOCH, president]; Christian DemocraticPeople's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP,Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-CristianoPopolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra orPCD) [Adalbert DURRER, president]; Swiss People's Party(Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre orUDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica da Centeror UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei derSchweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, PartitoEcologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda)[Ruedi BAUMANN, president]; Freedom Party or FPS [Roland BORER];Liberal Party (Liberale Partei der Schweiz or LPS, Parti LiberalSuisse or PLS, Partito Liberale Svizzero or PLS) [Francois Jeanneset,president]; Alliance of Independents' Party (Landesring derUnabhaengigen or LdU, Alliance des Independants or AdI) [DanielANDRES, president]; Ticino League (Lega dei Ticinesi) [GiulianoBIGNASCA, president]; and other minor parties including SwissDemocratic Party (Schweizer Demokraten or SD, Democrates Suisses orDS, Democratici Svizzeri or DS), Workers' Party (Parti Suisse duTravail or PST, Partei der Arbeit der Schweiz or PdAdS, PartitoSvizzero del Lavoro or PSdL), Evangelical People's Party (EvangelischeVolkspartei der Schweiz or EVP, Parti Evangelique Suisse or PEV,Partito Evangelico Svizzero or PEV), and the Union of FederalDemocrats (Eidgenossisch-Demokratische Union or EDU, UnionDemocratique Federale or UDF, Unione Democratica Federale or UDF);note-see elections
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer),AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO,G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTSO,UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred DEFAGO (since April 1997) chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Madeleine May KUNIN (since 8 August 1996) embassy: Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (31) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (31) 357 73 44
Flag description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
@Switzerland:Economy
Economy-overview: Switzerland, a fundamentally prosperous and stable modern economy with a per capita GDP roughly 10% above that of the big West European economies, is experiencing continued economic difficulties. GDP growth was a minus 0.2% in 1996 and a weak plus 0.4% in 1997. Weak domestic consumer demand is partly at fault; stagnating real disposable income combines with a reluctance to reduce saving rates in the face of an uncertain employment outlook. Switzerland's leading sectors, including financial services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and special-purpose machines, therefore are more reliant on export markets. Exports should lead an upturn in Swiss economic performance in 1998-99, provided the franc does not appreciate substantially as a result of Swiss monetary policy or instability in the run up to EMU.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$172.4 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 0.4% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$23,800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 31.1% services: 66.1% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: -0.1% (1997)
Labor force: total: 3.8 million (850,000 foreign workers, mostly Italian) by occupation: services 67%, manufacturing and construction 29%, agriculture and forestry 4% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 5% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $25.8 billion expenditures: $30.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.3 billion (1997)
Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments
Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 14.27 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 55 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 6,850 kWh (1996 est.)
Agriculture-products: grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Exports: total value: $99.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997) commodities: machinery 29%, chemicals 26%, metals 8%, agricultural products 4% (1996) partners: EU countries 61%, US 9%, Japan 4% (1996)
Imports: total value: $86.6 billion (c.i.f., 1997) commodities: machinery 22%, chemicals 20%, metals 8%, agricultural products 9% (1996) partners: EU 79%, US 7%, Japan 3% (1996)
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.034 billion (1995)
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SFR) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SFR) per US$1-1.4757 (January 1998), 1.4513 (1997), 1.2360 (1996), 1.1825 (1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 5.24 million (including 663 million car-mobile phones) (1996 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international services domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 50 (state-owned 10, private 40, shortwave 1 (1997)
Radios: 2.8 million (1996)
Television broadcast stations: 15 of which state-owned 5, private 10 (repeaters 1,322) (1997)
Televisions: 2.647 million licenses (1996)
@Switzerland:Transportation
Railways: total: 5,249 km (1,564 km double track) standard gauge: 3,741 km 1.435-m gauge (3,119 km electrified; 808 km nongovernment owned) narrow gauge: 1,438 km 1.000-m gauge (1,088 km electrified; 1,364 km nongovernment owned) other gauge: 70 km 0.750-m or 0.800-m gauge (1996)
Highways: total: 71,117 km (including 1,594 km of expressways) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen toBodensee); 12 navigable lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km
Ports and harbors: Basel
Merchant marine: total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 424,261 GRT/733,551 DWT ships by type: bulk 13, cargo 1, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 67 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 42 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 24 (1997 est.)
@Switzerland:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, FortificationGuards
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 1,878,453 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 1,605,409 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually: males: 40,887 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.2 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.2% (1997)
@Switzerland:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: because of more stringent government regulations, significantly less used as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
______________________________________________________________________
@Syria:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenLebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 185,180 sq km land: 184,050 sq km water: 1,130 sq km note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Area-comparative: slightly larger than North Dakota
Land boundaries: total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 41 nm territorial sea: 35 nm
Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically hitting Damascus
Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum
Land use: arable land: 28% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 43% forests and woodland: 3% other: 22% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 9,060 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
Environment-current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage and wastes from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography-note: there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1997 est.)
@Syria:People
Population: 16,673,282 (July 1998 est.)note: in addition, there are 35,150 people living in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights-18,150 Arabs (16,500 Druze and 1,650Alawites) and 17,000 Israeli settlers (August 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 3,937,575; female 3,748,881) 15-64 years: 51% (male 4,342,022; female 4,157,268) 65 years and over: 3% (male 240,603; female 246,933) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.23% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 37.83 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.55 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 37.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.76 years male: 66.48 years female: 69.11 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.55 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian
Ethnic groups: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages: Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.8% male: 85.7% female: 55.8% (1997 est.)
@Syria:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
Data code: SY
Government type: republic under military regime since March 1963
National capital: Damascus
Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat,singular-muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, ArRaqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims,Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus
Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate underFrench administration)
National holiday: National Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution: 13 March 1973
Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971); note-President ASAD seized power in the November 1970 coup, assumed presidential powers 22 February 1971, and was confirmed as president in the 12 March 1971 national elections; Vice Presidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984) and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Mahmud ZUBI (since 1 November 1987), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984), Dr. Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981), and Rashid AKHTARINI (since 4 July 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1998); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Hafiz al-ASAD reelected president; percent of vote-Hafiz al-ASAD 99.98%
Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 24-25 August 1994 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-National Progressive Front 167, independents 83
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court, justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president; High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation; State Security Courts
Political parties and leaders:National Progressive Front includes: the ruling Arab SocialistRenaissance (Ba'th) Party, Hafiz al-ASAD, president of the republic,secretary general of the party, and chairman of the NationalProgressive Front; Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), Ghassan'Abd-al-Aziz UTHMAN; Arab Socialist Union (ASU), Fayiz ISMAIL; SyrianCommunist Party (SCP), Yusuf FAYSAL; Arab Socialist Unionist Party,Safwan QUDSI; Socialist Union Democratic Party, Ahmad al-ASAD