Airports: 170 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 77 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 36 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 93 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 61 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) includesground forces, Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force(DAAFAR), Territorial Troops Militia (MTT), and Youth Labor Army(EJT); the Border Guard (TGF) is controlled by the Interior Ministry
Military manpower—military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 3,068,140females age 15-49: 3,014,686 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,900,893females age 15-49: 1,862,411 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 76,328females: 72,551 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: roughly 4% (1995 est.)
Military—note: Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease
Illicit drugs: territory serves as transshipment zone for cocaine bound for the US and Europe
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@Cyprus ———
Geography
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south ofTurkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total: 9,250 sq km (note—of which 3,355 sq km are in the TurkishCypriot area)land: 9,240 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area—comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool,wet winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south;scattered but significant plains along southern coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Olympus 1,952 m
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber,salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Land use:arable land: 12%permanent crops: 5%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 13%other: 70% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity
Environment—current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall; sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer; increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
Environment—international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollutionsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
People
Population: 754,064 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (male 92,626; female 88,127)15-64 years: 65% (male 249,083; female 244,750)65 years and over: 11% (male 34,612; female 44,866) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 13.64 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.44 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: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 74.91 years female: 79.39 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic groups: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish Cypriot area)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, ArmenianApostolic, and other 4%
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 94%male: 98%female: 91% (1987 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Cyprusconventional short form: Cyprusnote: the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "TurkishRepublic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)
Data code: CY
Government type: republicnote: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting theisland began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; thisseparation was further solidified following the Turkish interventionin July 1974 following a Greek junta-based coup attempt, which gavethe Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriotscontrol the only internationally recognized government; on 15November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declaredindependence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of NorthernCyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sidespublicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences andcreation of a new federal system of government
Capital: Nicosianote: the Turkish Cypriot area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia,Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note—Turkish Cypriot area'sadministrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part ofFamagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK)note: Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975from Republic of Cyprus
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October; note—TurkishCypriot area celebrates 15 November as Independence Day
Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993);note—the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriothead of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February1993); note—the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriotcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president andvice presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for five-year terms;election last held 15 February 1998 (next to be held NA February2003)election results: Glafcos CLERIDES elected president; percent ofvote—Glafcos CLERIDES 50.8%, George IAKOVOU 49.2%note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriotarea since 13 February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote fora five-year term); elections last held 15 and 22 April 1995 (next tobe held NA April 2000); results—Rauf R. DENKTASH 62.5%, DervisEROGLU 37.5%; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the TurkishCypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers(cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot area
Legislative branch: unicameral—Greek Cypriot area: House ofRepresentatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to theGreek Cypriots. 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note—only those assigned toGreek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote toserve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of theRepublic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: Greek area: last held 26 May 1996 (next to be held May2001); Turkish area: last held 6 December 1998 (next to be heldDecember 2003)election results: Greek area: House of Representatives—percent ofvote by party—DISY 34.5%, AKEL (Communist) 33.0%, DIKO 16.4%, EDEK8.1%, KED 3.7%, others 4.3%; seats by party—DISY 20, AKEL(Communist) 19, DIKO 10, EDEK 5, KED 2; Turkish area: Assembly ofthe Republic—percent of vote by party—UBP 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP15.4%, CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party—UBP24, DP 13, TKP 7, CTP 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by theSupreme Council of Judicaturenote: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot area
Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot area: RestorativePERDHIKIS]; Turkish Cypriot area: National Unity Party or UBP
Political pressure groups and leaders: Pan-Cyprian LaborFederation or PEO (Communist controlled); Confederation of CypriotWorkers or SEK (pro-West); Federation of Turkish Cypriot LaborUnions or Turk-Sen; Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions orDev-Is
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE,EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Erato KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Ahmet (202) 887-6198
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth C. BRILL embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 4536, FPO AE 09836
Flag description: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field
Economy
Economy—overview: Economic affairs are dominated by the division of the country into the southern (Greek) area controlled by the Cyprus Government and the northern Turkish Cypriot-administered area. The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability on the island and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy in the south is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortage is a growing problem, and several desalination plants are planned. The Turkish Cypriot economy has about one-fifth the population and one-third the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. Moreover, the small, vulnerable economy has suffered because the Turkish lira is legal tender. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector, e.g. tourism, education, and industry.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$10 billion (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.3% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,000 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: Greek Cypriot area: agriculture 4.4%; industry 22.4%; services 73.2% (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: agriculture 10%; industry 24.6%; services 65.4% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Greek Cypriot area: 2.3% (1998est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 87.5% (1997 est.)
Labor force: Greek Cypriot area: 299,700; Turkish Cypriot area:76,500 (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: Greek Cypriot area: services 62%,industry 25%, agriculture 13% (1995); Turkish Cypriot area: services66%, industry 11%, agriculture 23% (1995)
Unemployment rate: Greek Cypriot area: 3.3% (1998 est.); TurkishCypriot area: 6.4% (1996)
Budget:revenues: Greek Cypriot area—$2.9 billion, Turkish Cypriot area—$171millionexpenditures: Greek Cypriot area—$3.4 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $345 million, Turkish Cypriot area—$306 million,including capital expenditures of $56.8 million (1997 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products,tourism, wood products
Industrial production growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: -4%(1996); Turkish Cypriot area: 5.1% (1995)
Electricity—production: 2.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 2.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley,grapes, olives, vegetables
Exports: Greek Cypriot area: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.);Turkish Cypriot area: $70.5 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: Greek Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes,grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes (1996); Turkish Cypriotarea: citrus, potatoes, textiles (1996)
Exports—partners: Greek Cypriot area: Russia 19.1%, Bulgaria16.4%, UK 11.3%, Greece 6.3%, Germany 4.8%; Turkish Cypriot area:Turkey 48.2%, UK 21.3%, other EU 13.7% (1997)
Imports: Greek Cypriot area: $3.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.);Turkish Cypriot area: $318.4 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports—commodities: Greek Cypriot area: consumer goods,petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery (1996);Turkish Cypriot area: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery (1996)
Imports—partners: Greek Cypriot area: US 17.8%, UK 11.9%, Italy9.7%, Germany 7.5%, Greece 7.6% (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkey55.3%, UK 13.8%, other EU 11.6% (1997)
Debt—external: Greek Cypriot area: $1.56 billion (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: Greek Cypriot area?$187 million in grants (1990-94); Turkish Cypriot area— $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans (1990-97) that are usually forgiven
Currency: Greek Cypriot area: 1 Cypriot pound (LC) = 100 cents;Turkish Cypriot area: 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus
Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US1$—0.5013 (January 1999), 0.5170 (1998), 0.5135 (1997), 0.4663 (1996), 0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1—331,400 (January 1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997), 81,405 (1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: Greek Cypriot area: 367,000 (1996 est.); TurkishCypriot area: 80,000 (1996 est.)
Telephone system: excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and TurkishCypriot areasdomestic: open wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relayinternational: tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-opticsubmarine cables; satellite earth stations—3 Intelsat (1 AtlanticOcean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: AM 4, FM 36,shortwave 1, Turkish Cypriot area: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: Greek Cypriot area: 500,000 (1996 est.); Turkish Cypriotarea: 130,000 (1996 est.)
Television broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: 7 (inaddition, there are 35 low-power repeaters) (1997); Turkish Cypriotarea: 3 (in addition, there are 4 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: Greek Cypriot area: 300,000 (1996 est.); TurkishCypriot area: 90,000 (1996 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: Greek Cypriot area: 10,415 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 2,350 kmpaved: Greek Cypriot area: 5,947 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 1,370 kmunpaved: Greek Cypriot area: 4,468 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 980 km(1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos,Vasilikos Bay
Merchant marine:total: 1,469 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,362,067GRT/36,945,331 DWTships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 430, cargo 530, chemical tanker23, combination bulk 42, combination ore/oil 11, container 141,liquefied gas tanker 6, oil tanker 152, passenger 7, refrigeratedcargo 58, roll-on/roll-off cargo 49, short-sea passenger 14,specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 1note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 37countries among which are Greece 611, Germany 129, Russia 49, Latvia278, Netherlands 20, Japan 28, Cuba 16, China 15, Hong Kong 13, andPoland 15 (1998 est.)
Airports: 15 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Greek Cypriot area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements), Hellenic Forces Regiment on Cyprus (ELDYK), Greek Cypriot Police; Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (TCSF), Turkish Forces Regiment on Cyprus (KTKA), Turkish mainland army units
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 194,337 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 133,559 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 6,410 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $405 million (1996)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 5.4% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government (59% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN buffer zone (4% of the island); there are two UK sovereign base areas within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island
Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well
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@Czech Republic ———————
Introduction
Background: Once part of the Holy Roman Empire and, later, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Czechoslovakia became an independent nation at the end of World War I. Independence ended with the German takeover in 1939. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence, and in 1968 an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops snuffed out anti-communist demonstrations and riots. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1991, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom. On 1 January 1993, the country peacefully split into its two ethnic components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic, largely by aspiring to become a NATO and EU member, has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks. But Prague has had a difficult time convincing the public that membership in NATO is crucial to Czech security. At the same time, support for eventual EU membership is waning. Coupled with the country's worsening economic situation, Prague's political scene, troubled for the past three years, will remain so for the foreseeable future.
Geography
Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 78,703 sq kmland: 78,645 sq kmwater: 58 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:total: 1,881 kmborder countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km,Slovakia 215 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills,and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the eastconsists of very hilly country
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Elbe River 115 mhighest point: Snezka 1,602 m
Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite
Land use:arable land: 41%permanent crops: 2%permanent pastures: 11%forests and woodland: 34%other: 12% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 240 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding
Environment—current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment—international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol
Geography—note: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe
People
Population: 10,280,513 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17% (male 888,292; female 845,662)15-64 years: 69% (male 3,569,677; female 3,558,844)65 years and over: 14% (male 545,305; female 872,733) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.01% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 9.84 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 10.86 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.91 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 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.35 years male: 71.01 years female: 77.88 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.28 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech note: 300,000 Slovaks declared themselves Czech citizens in 1994
Ethnic groups: Czech 94.4%, Slovak 3%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%,Gypsy 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 1%
Religions: atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%,Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%
Languages: Czech, Slovak
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% (est.) male: NA% female: NA%
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Czech Republicconventional short form: Czech Republiclocal long form: Ceska Republikalocal short form: Ceska Republika
Data code: EZ
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Prague
Administrative divisions: 73 districts (okresi, singular—okres)and 4 municipalities* (mesta, singular—mesto); Benesov, Beroun,Blansko, Breclav, Brno*, Brno-Venkov, Bruntal, Ceske Budejovice,Ceska Lipa, Cesky Krumlov, Cheb, Chomutov, Chrudim, Decin,Domazlice, Frydek-Mistek, Havlickuv Brod, Hodonin, Hradec Kralove,Jablonec nad Nisou, Jesenik, Jicin, Jihlava, Jindrichuv Hradec,Karlovy Vary, Karvina, Kladno, Klatovy, Kolin, Kromeriz, Kutna Hora,Liberec, Litomerice, Louny, Melnik, Mlada Boleslav, Most, Nachod,Novy Jicin, Nymburk, Olomouc, Opava, Ostrava*, Pardubice, Pelhrimov,Pisek, Plzen*, Plzen-Jih, Plzen-Sever, Prachatice, Praha*,Praha-Vychod, Praha Zapad, Prerov, Pribram, Prostejov, Rakovnik,Rokycany, Rychnov nad Kneznou, Semily, Sokolov, Strakonice, Sumperk,Svitavy, Tabor, Tachov, Teplice, Trebic, Trutnov, Uherske Hradiste,Usti nad Labem, Usti nad Orlici, Vsetin, Vyskov, Zdar nad Sazavou,Zlin, Znojmo
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: National Liberation Day, 8 May; Founding of theRepublic, 28 October
Constitution: ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Vaclav HAVEL (since 2 February 1993)head of government: Prime Minister Milos ZEMAN (since 17 July 1998);Deputy Prime Ministers Vladimir SPIDLA (since 17 July 1998), PavelRYCHETSKY since 17 July 1998), Egon LANSKY (since 17 July 1998),Pavel MERTLIK (since 17 July 1998)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;election last held 20 January 1998 (next to be held NA January2003); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Vaclav HAVEL reelected president; Vaclav HAVELreceived 47 of 81 votes in the Senate and 99 out of 200 votes in theChamber of Deputies (second round of voting)
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists ofthe Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve staggered two-, four-, and six-year terms) and the Chamberof Deputies or Snemovna Poslancu (200 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 13-14 and 20-21 November 1998 (next tobe held NA November 2000—to replace/reelect 20 senators servingtwo-year terms); Chamber of Deputies—last held 19-20 June 1998(early elections to be held NA June 2000)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—governing coalition (CSSD 23), opposition (ODS 26, KDU-CSL 16,KCSM 4, ODA 7, US 4, DEU 1); Chamber of Deputies—percent of vote byparty—NA; seats by party—governing coalition (CSSD 74), opposition(ODS 63, KDU-CSL 20, US 19, KCSM 24)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman and deputy chairmen areappointed by the president for life; Constitutional Court, chairmanand deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for life
Political parties and leaders: Civic Democratic Party or ODSKROUPA, chairman]; Christian Democratic Union-Czech People's Party
Political pressure groups and leaders: Czech-Moravian Chamber ofTrade Unions; Civic Movement
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksandr VONDRAchancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John SHATTUCKembassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1mailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (almost identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)
Economy
Economy—overview: Political and financial crises in 1997 shattered the Czech Republic's image as one of the most stable and prosperous of post-Communist states. Delays in enterprise restructuring and failure to develop a well-functioning capital market played major roles in Czech economic troubles, which culminated in a currency crisis in May. The currency was forced out of its fluctuation band as investors worried that the current account deficit, which reached nearly 8% of GDP in 1996, would become unsustainable. After expending $3 billion in vain to support the currency, the central bank let it float. The growing current account imbalance reflected a surge in domestic demand and poor export performance, as wage increases outpaced productivity. The government was forced to introduce two austerity packages later in the spring which cut government spending by 2.5% of GDP. A tough 1998 budget continued the painful medicine. These problems were compounded in the summer of 1997 by unprecedented flooding which inundated much of the eastern part of the country. Czech difficulties contrast with earlier achievements of strong GDP growth, a balanced budget, and inflation and unemployment that were among the lowest in the region. The Czech economy's transition problems continue to be too much direct and indirect government influence on the privatized economy, the sometimes ineffective management of privatized firms, and a shortage of experienced financial analysts for the banking system. The country slipped into a mild recession in 1998, but hopes to rebound with 1% growth in 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$116.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -1.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$11,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 33.8% services: 61.2% (1996)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.6% highest 10%: 23.5% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.7% (1998)
Labor force: 3.655 million (1998)
Labor force—by occupation: industry 33.1%, agriculture 6.9%, construction 9.1%, transport and communications 7.2%, services 43.7% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 7% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $16.1 billionexpenditures: $16.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997)
Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment,coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments
Industrial production growth rate: 6.7% (1998 est.)
Electricity—production: 60.214 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 76.69% hydro: 3.04% nuclear: 20.27% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 60.164 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 8.8 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 8.75 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Exports: $23.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: manufactured goods 40.5%, machinery and transport equipment 37.7%, chemicals 8.8%, raw materials and fuel 7.8% (1997)
Exports—partners: Germany 35.7%, Slovakia 12.9%, Austria 6.4%,Poland 5.7%, Russia 3.4%, Italy 3.3%, France 2.5% (1997)
Imports: $26.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38.1%, manufactured goods 19.3%, raw materials and fuels 12.4%, chemicals 12.2%, and food 5.2% (1997)
Imports—partners: Germany 26.6%, Slovakia 8.4%, Italy 5.3%,Austria 4.4%, FSU 3.4%, UK 3.4%, Poland 3.2% (1997)
Debt—external: $21.6 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $351.6 million (1995)
Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru
Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1—30.214 (December 1998), 32.294 (1998), 31.698 (1997), 27.145 (1996), 26.541 (1995), 28.785 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3,349,539 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intersputnik (Atlantic andIndian Ocean regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 67 (in addition, there are 35 low-power stations and about 51 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways:total: 9,440 kmstandard gauge: 9,344 km 1.435-m standard gauge (2,743 kmelectrified at three voltages; 1,885 km double track)narrow gauge: 96 km 0.760-m narrow gauge (1996)
Highways:total: 55,489 kmpaved: 55,489 km (including 423 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river
Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km
Ports and harbors: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem
Airports: 69 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 13 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 17 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, CivilDefense, Railroad Units
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,684,817 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,046,079 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 73,072 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $1.1 billion (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.8% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of property in the Czech Republic confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the communists seized power; individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; unresolved property issues with Slovakia over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; domestic consumption—especially of locally produced synthetic drugs—on the rise
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@Denmark ———-
Introduction
Background: Once the seat of rapacious Viking raiders and later a major power in northwestern Europe, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the political and economic integration of Europe. So far, however, they have opted out of some aspects of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty including the new monetary system launched on 1 January 1999.
Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the NorthSea, on a peninsula north of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 43,094 sq kmland: 42,394 sq kmwater: 700 sq kmnote: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the restof metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size ofMassachusetts
Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km
Coastline: 7,314 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 4 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters andcool summers
Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Ejer Bavnehoj 173 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone,stone, gravel and sand
Land use:arable land: 60%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 5%forests and woodland: 10%other: 25% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 4,350 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in some areas of thecountry (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of theisland of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system ofdikes
Environment—current issues: air pollution, principally fromvehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollutionof the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted fromanimal wastes and pesticides
Environment—international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, MarineLife Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Law of the Sea
Geography—note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in Copenhagen
People
Population: 5,356,845 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 504,182; female 478,547)15-64 years: 67% (male 1,811,445; female 1,765,038)65 years and over: 15% (male 331,207; female 466,426) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.38% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 11.57 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 10.97 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.22 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: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.51 years male: 73.83 years female: 79.33 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish
Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and RomanCatholic 2%, other 7% (1988)
Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect),German (small minority)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99% (1980 est.)male: NA%female: NA%
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmarkconventional short form: Denmarklocal long form: Kongeriget Danmarklocal short form: Danmark
Data code: DA
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Copenhagen
Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark—14 counties (amter, singular—amt) and 2 kommunes*; Arhus, Bornholm, Fredericksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavns*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing administrative divisions
Independence: first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 1849 was the original constitution; there was a major overhaul 5 June 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); HeirApparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26May 1968)head of government: Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since 25January 1993)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Folketing (179seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis ofproportional representation to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 11 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—progovernment parties: Social Democrats 65, Socialist People'sParty 13, Radical Liberal Party 7, Unity Party 5; opposition:Liberal Party 43, Conservative Party 17, Danish People's Party 13,Center Democrats 8, Christian People's Party 4, Progress Party 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by themonarch for life
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [Poul
International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, AustraliaGroup, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO,G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ISO, ITU, MTCR, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNMOT,UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO,ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Knud-Erik TYGESENchancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. ELSONembassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagenmailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716
Flag description: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Economy
Economy—overview: This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of food. The center-left coalition government will concentrate on reducing the persistently high unemployment rate and the budget deficit as well as following the previous government's policies of maintaining low inflation and a current account surplus. The coalition also vows to maintain a stable currency. The coalition has lowered marginal income taxes while maintaining overall tax revenues; boosted industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms and increased research and development funds; and improved welfare services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays. Denmark chose not to join the 11 other EU members who launched the euro on 1 January 1999. Because of the global slowdown, GDP growth may fall to 1% in 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$124.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.6% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$23,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 27% services: 69% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 20.5% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 2,895,950
Labor force—by occupation: private services 40%, government services 30%, manufacturing and mining 19%, construction 6%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $62.1 billionexpenditures: $66.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products, shipbuilding
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (1996)
Electricity—production: 50.608 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 97.6% hydro: 0.05% nuclear: 0% other: 2.35% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 35.208 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 19.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 3.8 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets; beef, dairy products; fish
Exports: $48.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: machinery and instruments, meat and meatproducts, fuels, dairy products, ships, fish, chemicals
Exports—partners: Germany 21.4%, Sweden 11.6%, UK 9.6%, Norway6.2%, France 5.3%, US 4.6%, Netherlands 4.5% (1997)
Imports: $46.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum,chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper
Imports—partners: Germany 21.7%, Sweden 12.7%, Netherlands 7.8%,UK 7.6%, France 5.6%, Norway 5.2%, US 5.0%, Japan (1997)
Debt—external: $44 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—donor: ODA, $1.6 billion (1995)
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1—6.408 (January 1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3.2 million (1995 est.); 822,000 cellular telephone subscribers
Telephone system: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, four cellular radio communications systems international: 18 submarine fiber-optic cables linking Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations—6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note—the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for world-wide Inmarsat access
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 78 (of which 35 are low-power stations; in addition, there are 51 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 3 million (1996 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 3,323 km (458 km privately owned and operated)standard gauge: 3,323 km 1.435-m gauge (440 km electrified; 760 kmdouble track) (1996)
Highways:total: 71,600 kmpaved: 71,600 km (including 880 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 417 km
Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; naturalgas 700 km
Ports and harbors: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg,Fredericia, Grena, Koge, Odense, Struer
Merchant marine:total: 337 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,130,643GRT/6,880,248 DWTships by type: bulk 14, cargo 130, chemical tanker 19, container 73,liquefied gas tanker 26, livestock carrier 6, oil tanker 20, railcarcarrier 1, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21,short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3note: Denmark has created its own internal register, called theDanish International Ship register (DIS); DIS ships do not have tomeet Danish manning regulations, and they amount to a flag ofconvenience within the Danish register (1998 est.)
Airports: 118 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 90 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 82 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, RoyalDanish Air Force, Home Guard
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,316,584 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,129,870 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 32,130 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.5 billion (1999)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.6% (1999)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
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@Djibouti ————
Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the RedSea, between Eritrea and Somalia
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 22,000 sq kmland: 21,980 sq kmwater: 20 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries: total: 508 km border countries: Eritrea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Somalia 58 km
Coastline: 314 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; torrid, dry
Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m
Natural resources: geothermal areas
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: 9%forests and woodland: 0%other: 91% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonicdisturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods
Environment—current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water;desertification
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland