Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1997)
Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $48 millionexpenditures: $53 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997)
Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture,jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 15 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 86.67% hydro: 13.33% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 15 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Exports: $11.4 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Exports—commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports—partners: France 43%, US 43%, Germany 7% (1996)
Imports: $70 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Imports—commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports—partners: France 59%, South Africa 15%, Kenya 6% (1996)
Debt—external: $219 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $43.3 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1—420.01 (December 1998), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 4,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 81,000 (1994)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1998)
Televisions: 200 (1994
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Comoran Security Force
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 132,969 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 79,224 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $3 million (1994 est.)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede from Comoros
======================================================================
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the ————————————————-
Geography
Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 2,345,410 sq kmland: 2,267,600 sq kmwater: 77,810 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 10,271 kmborder countries: Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central AfricanRepublic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km,Sudan 628 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km
Coastline: 37 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighborsterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator—wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south of Equator—wet season November to March, dry season April to October
Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains ineast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110m
Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrialand gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium,uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential,timber
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 7%forests and woodland: 77%other: 13% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; volcanic activity
Environment—current issues: poaching threatens wildlifepopulations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees who arrived inmid-1994 were responsible for significant deforestation, soilerosion, and wildlife poaching in the eastern part of the country(most of those refugees were repatriated in November and December1996)
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography—note: straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo river and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands
People
Population: 50,481,305 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 12,200,532; female 12,136,372)15-64 years: 49% (male 12,135,901; female 12,692,057)65 years and over: 3% (male 564,084; female 752,359) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.96% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 46.37 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 14.99 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: in 1994, about a million refugees fled into Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DROC), to escape the fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi; the outbreak of widespread fighting in the DROC between rebels and government forces in October 1996 spurred about 875,000 refugees to return to Rwanda in late 1996 and early 1997; additionally,the DROC is host to 200,000 Angolan, 110,000 Burundi, 100,000 Sudanese, and 15,000 Ugandan refugees; renewed fighting in the DROC in August 1998 resulted in more internal displacement and refugee outflows
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 99.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.44 years male: 47.28 years female: 51.67 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.45 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Congolese (singular and plural)adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which themajority are Bantu; the four largest tribes—Mongo, Luba, Kongo (allBantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of thepopulation
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%,Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca tradelanguage), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo,Tshiluba
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala,Kingwana, or Tshilubatotal population: 77.3%male: 86.6%female: 67.7% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congoconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republique Democratique du Congolocal short form: noneformer: Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaireabbreviation: DROC
Data code: CG
Government type: dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government
Capital: Kinshasa
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provinces,singular—province) and one city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo,Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*,Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu
Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
National holiday: anniversary of independence from Belgium, 30June (1960)
Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; following successful rebellion the new government announced on 29 May 1997 a program of constitutional reform and, in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by President KABILA and awaits ratification by national referendum
Legal system: based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Laurent Desire KABILA (since 17 May 1997); note—thepresident is both chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: Laurent Desire KABILA (since 17 May 1997);note—the president is both chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the presidentelections: before Laurent Desire KABILA seized power, the presidentwas elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election lastheld 29 July 1984 (next was to be held in May 1997); formerly, theprime minister was elected by the High Council of the Republic;note—the term of the former government expired in 1991, electionswere not held, and former president MOBUTU continued in office untilhis government was militarily defeated by KABILA on 17 May 1997election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Bangareelected president in 1984 without oppositionnote: Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga waspresident from 24 November 1965 until forced into exile on 16 May1997 when his government was overturned militarily by Laurent DesireKABILA, who immediately assumed governing authority; in his 29 May1997 inaugural address, President KABILA announced a two-year timetable for political reform leading to elections by April 1999;subsequently, in December 1998, President KABILA announced thatelections would be postponed until all foreign military forcesattempting his overthrow had withdrawn from the country
Legislative branch: legislative activity has been suspendedpending the establishment of KABILA's promised constitutionalreforms and the elections to be held by April 1999 (now postponedindefinitely)elections: the country's first multi-party presidential andlegislative elections had been scheduled for May 1997 but were notheld; instead KABILA overthrew the MOBUTU government and seizedcontrol of the country
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until Januaryparties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPSnote: President KABILA, who has banned political party activityindefinitely, currently leads the Alliance of Democratic Forces forthe Liberation of Congo-Zaire or AFDL
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828
Flag description: light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—a nation endowed with vast potential wealth—has declined significantly since the mid-1980s. The new government instituted a tight fiscal policy that initially curbed inflation and currency depreciation, but these small gains were quickly reversed when the foreign-backed rebellion in the eastern part of the country began in August 1998. The war has dramatically reduced government revenue, and increased external debt. Foreign businesses have curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict and because of increased government harassment and restrictions. Poor infrastructure, an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and lack of transparency in government economic policy remain a brake on investment and growth. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have met with the new government to help it develop a coherent economic plan but associated reforms are on hold.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$34.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -3.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$710 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 59% industry: 15% services: 26% (1995 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 147% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 14.51 million (1993 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 16%, services 19% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $269 millionexpenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24million (1996 est.)
Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 6.4 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 6.25% hydro: 93.75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 6.265 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 195 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 60 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil
Exports—partners: Benelux 43%, US 22%, South Africa 8%, France,Germany, Italy, UK, Japan (1997)
Imports: $819 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and othermachinery, transport equipment, fuels
Imports—partners: South Africa 21%, Benelux 14%, China 8%,Netherlands, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK (1997)
Debt—external: $15 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $195.3 million (1995)
Currency: Congolese franc (CF)
Exchange rates: Congolese francs (CF) per US$1—2.5 (January 1999); new zaires (Z) per US$1—115,000 (January 1998), 83,764 (October 1996), 7,024 (1995), 1,194 (1994) note: on 30 June 1998 the Congolese franc (CF) was introduced, replacing the new zaire; 1 Congolese franc (CF)=100,000 new zaires
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 34,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service inand between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earthstationsinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.87 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18 (1997)
Televisions: 55,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 5,138 km (1995); note—severely reduced route-distance in usebecause of damage to facilities by civil strifenarrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge
Highways: total: 145,000 km paved: 2,500 km unpaved: 142,500 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes
Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km
Ports and harbors: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie,Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 233 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 210 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 94 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential SecurityGroup, Gendarmerie
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 10,874,744 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 5,536,277 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $250 million (1997)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.6% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movement which occupies much of the eastern portion of the state; most of the Congo River boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption
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@Congo, Republic of the ———————————
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 342,000 sq kmland: 341,500 sq kmwater: 500 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:total: 5,504 kmborder countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central AfricanRepublic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon1,903 km
Coastline: 169 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc,uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 29%forests and woodland: 62%other: 9% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: seasonal flooding
Environment—current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography—note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville,Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
People
Population: 2,716,814 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42% (male 579,940; female 573,847)15-64 years: 54% (male 718,820; female 751,911)65 years and over: 4% (male 36,987; female 55,309) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.16% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 37.96 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 16.33 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: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 100.58 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.14 years male: 45.42 years female: 48.92 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.89 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Congolese (singular and plural)adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans NA%; note—Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half of that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997
Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (linguafranca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of whichKikongo has the most users)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 74.9%male: 83.1%female: 67.2% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Congoconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republique du Congolocal short form: noneformer: Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
Data code: CF
Government type: republic
Capital: Brazzaville
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular—region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992 but is now being redrafted by President SASSOU-NGUESSO
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected presidentPascal LISSOUBA); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: normally the prime minister, appointed from themajority party by the president; however, since his inauguration,President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO has been both chief of state and headof governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 16 August 1992 (next was to be held 27 July 1997but will be delayed for several years pending the drafting of a newconstitution)election results: Pascal LISSOUBA elected president in 1992; percentof vote—Pascal LISSOUBA 61%, Bernard KOLELAS 39%; note—LISSOUBA wasdeposed in 1997, replaced by Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO
Legislative branch: unicameral National Transitional Council (75seats, members elected by reconciliation forum of 1,420 delegates;note—the National Transitioanl Council replaced the bicameralPaarliament in mid-1997elections: National Transitional Council—last held NA January 1998(next to be held NA 2001); note—at that election the NationalTransitional Council is to be replaced by a bicameral assemblyelection results: National Transitional Council—percent of vote byparty—NA; seats by party—NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: the most important of the manySASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Association for Democracy andTCHICAYA, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and IntegralBOKAMBA-YANGOUMA]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Union of CongoleseSocialist Youth or UJSC; Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC;Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; General Union ofCongolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MONUA, NAM,OAU, OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim SergeMOMBOULIchancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Aubrey HOOKS embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)
Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Subsequently, falling oil prices cut GDP growth by half. Moreover, the government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to the government's shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994 but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices in 1998, which worsened the Republic of the Congo's budget deficit. A second blow was the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$3.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,500 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 59% services: 31% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1997 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $870 millionexpenditures: $970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)
Industries: petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering,brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette making
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 438 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 0.68% hydro: 99.32% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 553 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 115 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: petroleum 50%, lumber, plywood, sugar,cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Exports—partners: US 37%, Belgium-Luxembourg 34%, Taiwan, China(1997 est.)
Imports: $803 million (f.o.b. 1997)
Imports—commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products
Imports—partners: France 22%, Italy 16%, US 9%, UK 6% (1997 est.)
Debt—external: $6 billion (1996)
Economic aid—recipient: $159.1 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—550 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 18,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: services barely adequate for government use;key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo;inter-city lines frequently out-of-orderdomestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay andcoaxial cableinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 795 km (includes 285 km private track)narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (1995 est.)
Highways: total: 12,800 km paved: 1,242 km unpaved: 11,558 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for local traffic only
Pipelines: crude oil 25 km
Ports and harbors: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo,Pointe-Noire
Airports: 36 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: NA
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 641,543 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 326,834 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 28,976 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $110 million (1993)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 3.8% (1993)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: most of the Congo River boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area)
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@Cook Islands ——————
Introduction
Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand. Residents chose self-government with free association with New Zealand in 1965. The emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand in large numbers and resulting loss of skilled labor and government deficits are continuing problems.
Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 240 sq kmland: 240 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 13%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: 78% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertication, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
Population: 20,200 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.04% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 22.35 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.17 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Cook Islander(s)adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic groups: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian andEuropean 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%,other 0.9%
Religions: Christian (majority of populace are members of theCook Islands Christian Church)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands
Data code: CW
Dependency status: self-governing in free association with NewZealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; NewZealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultationwith the Cook Islands
Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital: Avarua
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August
Constitution: 4 August 1965
Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand HighCommissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative ofNew Zealandhead of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1February 1989)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectivelyresponsible to Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative isappointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner isappointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislativeelections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usuallybecomes prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held by June 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party 2 note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party [Sir Geoffrey
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in freeassociation with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing infree association with New Zealand)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy
Economy—overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit-processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In 1996, the government declared bankruptcy, citing a $120 million public debt. Efforts to exploit tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries have not been enough to adequately deal with the financial crisis. In an effort to stem further erosion of the economy, the government slashed public service salaries by 50%, condensed the number of government ministries from 52 to 22, reduced the number of civil servants by more than half, began selling government assets, and closed all overseas diplomatic posts except for the one in New Zealand.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$79 million (1994 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,000 (1994 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 6% services: 77% (FY90/91)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 6,601 (1993)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: fruit processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 15 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 15 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee
Exports: $4.2 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
Exports—commodities: copra, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports—partners: NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong (1993)
Imports: $85 million (c.i.f., 1994)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports—partners: NZ 49%, Italy, Australia (1993)
Debt—external: $160 million (1994)
Economic aid—recipient: $13.1 million (1995); note?New Zealand furnishes the greater part
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1—1.8560 (January 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 4,180 (1994)
Telephone system:domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination ofsatellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HFradiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by smallexchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, andfiber-optic cableinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 13,000 (1994 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (in addition, eight low-power repeaters provide good coverage on the island of Rarotonga) (1997)
Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 187 km paved: 35 km unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.)
Ports and harbors: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,310 GRT/2,181 DWT(1998 est.)
Airports: 7 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Coral Sea Islands ————————-
Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast ofAustralia
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: less than 3 sq kmland: less than 3 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a seaarea of about 1 million sq km, with the Willis Islets the mostimportant
Area—comparative: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,095 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones
Environment—current issues: no permanent fresh water resources
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: important nesting area for birds and turtles
People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territoryconventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Data code: CR
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered fromCanberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
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: no economic activity
Communications
Communications—note: there are automatic weather relay stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Costa Rica —————
Introduction
Background: Costa Rica declared its independence from Spain in 1821. After a turbulent beginning it inaugurated an era of peaceful democracy in 1889, subsequently interrupted only twice, by a dictatorial interlude in 1917-19 and an armed uprising in 1948. Increasing the role of the private sector while maintaining the government's social safety net and keeping under control the budget deficit, unemployment, and inflation are key current issues.
Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 51,100 sq kmland: 50,660 sq kmwater: 440 sq kmnote: includes Isla del Coco
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season(May to November)
Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Natural resources: hydropower
Land use:arable land: 6%permanent crops: 5%permanent pastures: 46%forests and woodland: 31%other: 12% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season; active volcanoes
Environment—current issues: deforestation, largely a result ofthe clearing of land for cattle ranching; soil erosion
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine LifeConservation
People
Population: 3,674,490 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33% (male 622,260; female 593,720)15-64 years: 62% (male 1,150,900; female 1,121,970)65 years and over: 5% (male 85,526; female 100,114) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.89% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 22.46 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.16 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.04 years male: 73.6 years female: 78.61 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.76 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic groups: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%,Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 94.8%male: 94.7%female: 95% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Costa Ricaconventional short form: Costa Ricalocal long form: Republica de Costa Ricalocal short form: Costa Rica