GDP—real growth rate: 7.8% (1998 est.) (official figures may substantially overstate growth)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,600 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 49% services: 32% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.9% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 696 million (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 50%, industry 24%, services 26% (1997)
Unemployment rate: officially 3% in urban areas; probably 8%-10%;substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (1998est.)
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, autos, consumer electronics, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate: 8.8% (1998 est.)
Electricity—production: 1.16 trillion kWh (1998)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 93% hydro: 6% nuclear: 1% other: 0% (1996 est.)
Electricity—consumption: 994.921 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 6.025 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 755 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish
Exports: $183.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, woven apparel, knit apparel, footwear, toys and sporting goods (1998)
Exports—partners: Hong Kong 21%, US 21%, Japan 14%, Germany,South Korea, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Taiwan (1997)
Imports: $140.17 billion (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports—commodities: electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, plastics, iron and steel, scientific and photograph equipment, paper and paper board (1998)
Imports—partners: Japan 20%, US 12%, Taiwan 12%, South Korea 11%,Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia (1997)
Debt—external: $159 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $6.222 billion (1995)
Currency: 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao
Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1—8.28 (February 1999), 8.2779(December 1998), 8.2790 (1998), 8.2898 (1997), 8.3142 (1996), 8.3514(1995), 8.6187 (1994)note: beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotesthe midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day'sprevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 105 million (1998 est.)
Telephone system: domestic and international services areincreasingly available for private use; unevenly distributeddomestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and alltownshipsdomestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellulartelephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite systemwith 55 earth stations is in placeinternational: satellite earth stations—5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Oceanand 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region) and 1Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions); several internationalfiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, andGermany
Radio broadcast stations: AM 569, FM NA, shortwave 173
Radios: 216.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 209 (China Central Television, government-owned; in addition there are 31 provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 city TV stations) (1997)
Televisions: 300 million
Transportation
Railways:total: 64,900 km (including 5,400 km of provincial "local" rails)standard gauge: 61,300 km 1.435-m gauge (12,000 km electrified;20,000 km double track)narrow gauge: 3,600 km 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (1998est.)note: a new total of 68,000 km has been estimated for early 1999
Highways:total: 1.21 million kmpaved: 271,300 km (with at least 24,474 km of motorways)unpaved: 938,700 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 109,800 km navigable (1997)
Pipelines: crude oil 9,070 km; petroleum products 560 km; naturalgas 9,383 km (1998)
Ports and harbors: Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu,Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao,Shanghai, Shantou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang
Merchant marine:total: 1,759 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,828,349GRT/24,801,291 DWTships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 330, cargo 855, chemical tanker21, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 121,liquefied gas tanker 20, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oiltanker 245, passenger 8, passenger-cargo 47, refrigerated cargo 25,roll-on/roll-off cargo 24, short-sea passenger 43, vehicle carrier 1(1998 est.)
Airports: 206 (1996 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 192 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 65 1,524 to 2,437 m: 90 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 6 (1996 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the Ground Forces, Navy (includes Marines and Naval Aviation), Air Force, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missile force), People's Armed Police (internal security troops, nominally subordinate to Ministry of Public Security, but included by the Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in wartime)
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 361,267,706 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 198,398,601 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 10,273,696 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $12.608 billion (FY99); note-Western analysts believe that China's real defense spending is several times higher than the official figure because several significant items are funded elsewhere
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: boundary with India in dispute; dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement; most of the boundary with Tajikistan in dispute; 33-km section of boundary with North Korea in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwan; sections of land border with Vietnam are indefinite
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem
======================================================================
@Christmas Island ————————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south ofIndonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total: 135 sq kmland: 135 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People
Population: 2,373 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 7.77% (1999 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
Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, noindigenous population
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20%(1991)
Languages: English
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Islandconventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered fromCanberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport andTerritories
Government type: NA
Capital: The Settlement
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system: under the authority of the governor general ofAustralia and Australian law
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)elections: last held NA December 1998 (next to be held NA December1999)election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory ofAustralia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
Economy—overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$NA
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$NA
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Labor force—by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: NA kWh
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: NA kWh
Electricity—exports: NA kWh
Electricity—imports: NA kWh
Agriculture—products: NA
Exports: $NA
Exports—commodities: phosphate
Exports—partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA
Imports—commodities: consumer goods
Imports—partners: principally Australia
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1—1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: NAnote: external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsatsatellite
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 500 (1992)
Television broadcast stations: NA (1997)
Televisions: 350 (1992)
Transportation
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Clipperton Island ————————-
Geography
Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references: World
Area:total: 7 sq kmland: 7 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 11.1 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C,rains May-October
Terrain: coral atoll
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100% (all coral)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: subject to tornadoes
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: reef about 8 km in circumference
People
Population: uninhabited
Government
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Clipperton Islandlocal long form: nonelocal short form: Ile Clippertonformer: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Data code: IP
Dependency status: possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic
Legal system: NA
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territoryof France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
Economy
Economy—overview: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.
Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands ———————————-
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total: 14 sq kmland: 14 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Area—comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2.6 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of theyear
Environment—current issues: fresh water resources are limited torainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
People
Population: 636 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.21% (1999 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
Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Languages: English, Malay
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islandsconventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Data code: CK
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered fromCanberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport andTerritories
Government type: NA
Capital: West Island
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage: NA
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator (acting) Maureen ELLIS (since NA)cabinet: NAelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands ShireCouncil (NA seats)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory ofAustralia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
Economy—overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$NA
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$NA
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Labor force—by occupation: the Cocos Islands Cooperative SocietyLtd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workeroperations; tourism employs others
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products and tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: NA kWh
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: NA kWh
Electricity—exports: NA kWh
Electricity—imports: NA kWh
Agriculture—products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NA
Exports—commodities: copra
Exports—partners: Australia
Imports: $NA
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs
Imports—partners: Australia
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1—1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications withAustralia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station ofNA type
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Colombia ————
Introduction
Background: Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819. Earlier than most countries in the area, it established traditions of civilian government with regular, free elections. In recent years, however, assassinations, widespread guerrilla activities, and drug trafficking have severely disrupted normal public and private activities.
Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references: South America, Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 1,138,910 sq kmland: 1,038,700 sq kmwater: 100,210 sq kmnote: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, andSerranilla Bank
Area—comparative: slightly less than three times the size ofMontana
Land boundaries:total: 7,408 kmborder countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean1,448 km)
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler inhighlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high AndesMountains, eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore,nickel, gold, copper, emeralds
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 1%permanent pastures: 39%forests and woodland: 48%other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,300 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Environment—international agreements:party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography—note: only South American country with coastlines onboth North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People
Population: 39,309,422 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33% (male 6,556,566; female 6,402,115)15-64 years: 62% (male 11,966,306; female 12,593,685)65 years and over: 5% (male 807,282; female 983,468) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.85% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 24.45 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.59 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.48 years male: 66.54 years female: 74.54 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 91.3%male: 91.2%female: 91.4% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Colombiaconventional short form: Colombialocal long form: Republica de Colombialocal short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos,singular—departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital);Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas,Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca,Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Nortede Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres yProvidencia, Distrito Capital de Santa Fe de Bogota*, Santander,Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998);Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note—thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998);Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note—thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinetelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); vicepresident elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a newprocedure that replaces the traditional designation of vicepresidents by newly elected presidents; election last held 31 May1998 (next to be held NA May 2002)election results: no candidate received more than 50% of the totalvote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from thetwo leading candidates was held 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANAelected president; percent of vote—NA; Gustavo BELL elected vicepresident; percent of vote—NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists ofthe Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camarade Representantes (161 seats; members are elected by popular vote toserve four-year terms)elections: Senate—last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March2002); House of Representatives—last held NA March 1998 (next to beheld NA March 2002)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—PL 50%, PC 24%,smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats byparty—PL 51, PC 24, smaller parties 27; House ofRepresentatives—percent of vote by party—PL 52%, PC 17%, other 31%;seats by party—NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party or PL [HoraeroAD/M-19 is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissidentlegal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgentgroups active in Colombia—Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia orFARC; and National Liberation Army or ELN
International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom(observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO(pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejiachancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), andWashington, DCconsulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMANembassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831mailing address: APO AA 34038
Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top,double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, whichis longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in thecenter
Economy
Economy—overview: Colombia ended 1998 in recession with 0.2% GDP growth due to a combination of low world oil prices, reduced export demand, guerrilla violence, and diminished investment flows. The Central Bank resorted to interest rate hikes and tight monetary policy to defend the peso against pressure from Colombia's worsening trade and fiscal deficits. President PASTRANA'S well-respected financial team is working to deal with the myriad economic problems the country faces, including the highest unemployment level in decades and a fiscal deficit of close to 5% of GDP in 1998. The government implemented austerity measures, declared emergency measures to guard against a potential banking crisis resulting from the country's economic slowdown, and is seeking international assistance to fund a peace plan with the guerrillas. Guerrilla violence and low world oil prices will likely continue to undermine the economy in 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$254.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 0.2% (1998)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,600 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (1996)
Population below poverty line: 17.7% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 1%highest 10%: 46.9% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.7% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 16.8 million (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 15.7% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $26 billion (1996 est.)expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing andfootwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (1996)
Electricity—production: 53.725 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 19.26% hydro: 80.74% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 53.857 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 132 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
Exports: $11.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, gold, bananas, cutflowers
Exports—partners: US 38%, EU 23%, Andean Community 18%, Japan 3%(1997)
Imports: $14.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: industrial equipment, transportationequipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels
Imports—partners: US 42%, EU 23%, Andean Community 14%, Japan 4%(1997)
Debt—external: $18 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $40.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1—1,562.0 (February 1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 463, FM 35, shortwave 45 (1998 est.)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997)
Televisions: 5.5 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 3,380 kmstandard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal minesto maritime port at Bahia de Portete)narrow gauge: 3,230 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995)
Highways: total: 115,564 km paved: 13,868 km unpaved: 101,696 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km;natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports and harbors: Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura,Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco,Turbo
Merchant marine:total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,7575 GRT/84,518 DWTships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, container 1, multifunctionlarge-load carrier 2, oil tanker 2 (1998 est.)
Airports: 1,120 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 89 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 1,031 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 63 914 to 1,523 m: 339 under 914 m: 628 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (ArmadaNacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza AereaColombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 10,418,211 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 6,980,700 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 360,820 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $4 billion (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.2% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; cultivation of coca in 1997—79,500 hectares, an 18% increase over 1996; potential production of cocaine in 1997—125 metric tons, a 14% increase over 1996; cultivation of opium in 1997—6,600 hectares, a 5% increase over 1996; potential production of opium in 1997—66 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets; active aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca and opium crops
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@Comoros ———-
Introduction
Background: Comoros has had difficulty in achieving political stability, having endured 18 coups or attempted coups since receiving independence from France in 1975. Most recently, in August 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. An attempt in September 1997 by the government to reestablish control over the rebellious islands by force failed, and presently the Organization of African Unity is brokering negotiations to effect a reconciliation.
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 2,170 sq kmland: 2,170 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 340 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 35%permanent crops: 10%permanent pastures: 7%forests and woodland: 18%other: 30% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Environment—current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: important location at northern end of MozambiqueChannel
People
Population: 562,723 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 120,397; female 119,945)15-64 years: 54% (male 150,851; female 154,990)65 years and over: 3% (male 7,878; female 8,662) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.11% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 40.29 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 81.63 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.85 years male: 58.39 years female: 63.38 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.43 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran
Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blendof Swahili and Arabic)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 57.3%male: 64.2%female: 50.4% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comorosconventional short form: Comoroslocal long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comoreslocal short form: Comores
Data code: CN
Government type: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grande Comore(Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 20 October 1996
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Interim President TADJIDDINE Ben Said Massounde(since 6 November 1998); note—President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim diedin office 6 November 1998 and was succeeded by Interim PresidentMASSOUNDEhead of government: Prime Minister Abbas DJOUSSOUF (since 22November 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;election last held 16 March 1996 (next to be held NA); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; percentof vote—64%note: the Comoran constitution stipulates that upon the death of thepresident, a new president is to be elected within 90 days; however,Interim President TADJIDDINE has stated that a new election cannotbe held until Anjouan is reunited with the rest of the country
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate(15 seats; members selected by regional councils for six-year terms)and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Federal Assembly—last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next tobe held NA)election results: Federal Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA;seats by party—RND 39, RND candidate running as independent 1, FNJ 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supremes, two members areappointed by the president, two members are elected by the FederalAssembly, one by the Council of each island, and former presidentsof the republic
Political parties and leaders: Rassemblement National pour leNA]note: under a new constitution ratified in October 1996, a two-partysystem was established; former President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarimcalled for all parties to dissolve and join him in creating the RND;the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats inthe Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be inopposition, but if no party accomplishes that the second mostsuccessful party will be in opposition; in the elections of December1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, InOC, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN) chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 336 East 45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Flag description: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago—Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
Economy
Economy—overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be maintained.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$400 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.5% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$700 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 14% services: 46% (1996 est.)