Death rate: 8.27 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 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: 0.79 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 67.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.39 years male: 60.39 years female: 64.49 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Egyptian(s)adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, andBerbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarilyItalian and French) 1%
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), CopticChristian and other 6% (official estimate)
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widelyunderstood by educated classes
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 51.4%male: 63.6%female: 38.8% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egyptconventional short form: Egyptlocal long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyahlocal short form: Misrformer: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Data code: EG
Government type: republic
Capital: Cairo
Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat,singular—muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah,Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah,Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid,Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id,Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina',Suhaj
Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution: 11 September 1971
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, andNapoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council ofState (oversees validity of administrative decisions); acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October1981)head of government: Prime Minister Kamal Ahmed El-GANZOURI (since 4January 1996)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president nominated by the People's Assembly for asix-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national,popular referendum; national referendum last held 4 October 1993(next to be held NA October 1999); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: national referendum validated President MUBARAK'snomination by the People's Assembly to a third term
Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the People'sAssembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote,10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) andthe Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura—which functions only in aconsultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms)elections: People's Assembly—last held 29 November 1995 (next to beheld NA 2000); Advisory Council—last held 7 June 1995 (next to beheld NA)election results: People's Assembly—percent of vote by party—NDP72%, independents 25%, opposition 3%; seats by party—NDP 317,independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist Arab Democratic Party 1,Liberals 1; Advisory Council—percent of vote by party—NDP 99%,independents 1%; seats by party—NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party or NDP legal opposition parties are as follows: New Wafd Party or NWP note: formation of political parties must be approved by government
Political pressure groups and leaders: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more aggressively in the past two years to block its influence; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT(associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CCC, EBRD,ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MINURSO, MONUA,NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL,UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed MAHER al-Sayedchancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZERembassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City,Cairomailing address: Unit 64900, APO AE 09839-4900
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band
Economy
Economy—overview: At the end of the 1980s, Egypt faced problems of low productivity and poor economic management, compounded by the adverse social effects of excessive population growth, high inflation, and massive urban overcrowding. In the face of these pressures, in 1991 Egypt undertook wide-ranging macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform measures. This reform effort has been supported by three IMF arrangements, the last of which expired in September 1998. Egypt's reform efforts—and its participation in the Gulf war coalition—also led to massive debt relief under the Paris Club arrangements. Substantial progress has been made in improving macroeconomic performance. Cairo tamed inflation, slashed budget deficits, and built up foreign reserves to an all-time high. Although the pace of structural reforms—such as privatization and new business legislation—has been slower than envisioned under the IMF program, Egypt's steps toward a more market-oriented economy have prompted increased foreign investment. The November 1997 massacre of foreign tourists in Luxor affected tourism enough to slow the GDP growth rate for 1998 compared to earlier projections. Tourism's slow recovery, coupled with low world oil prices, caused a downturn in foreign exchange earnings in 1998, but external payments are not in crisis.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$188 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,850 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 31% services: 53% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 26.7% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1998)
Labor force: 17.4 million (1998 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 40%, services, including government 38%, industry 22% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $20 billionexpenditures: $20.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.4billion (FY97/98)
Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals,petroleum, construction, cement, metals
Industrial production growth rate: 9.4% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 46 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 76.09% hydro: 23.91% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 46 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; fish
Exports: $5.5 billion (f.o.b., FY97/98 est.)
Exports—commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
Exports—partners: EU, US, Japan
Imports: $16.7 billion (c.i.f., FY97/98 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods
Imports—partners: US, EU, Japan
Debt—external: $28 billion (FY97/98 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: ODA, $2.4 billion (1996)
Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (LE) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (LE) per US$1—3.4 (November 1994); market rate—3.3880 (January 1999), 3.3880 (1998), 3.3880 (1997), 3.3880 (1996), 3.3900 (1995), 3.3910 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 3.168 million (1996); 70,000 digital cellular telephone subscribers (1998); 7,400 analog cellular telephone subscribers (1997)
Telephone system: large system by Third World standards butinadequate for present requirements and undergoing extensiveupgradingdomestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable andmicrowave radio relayinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Atlantic Oceanand Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarinecables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay toIsrael; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 57, FM 14, shortwave 3 (1998 est.)
Radios: 16.45 million (1998 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 42 (in addition, there are nine channels received from Europe by satellite) (1997)
Televisions: 5 million (1998 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 4,751 kmstandard gauge: 4,751 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 951 kmdouble track)
Highways:total: 64,000 kmpaved: 49,984 kmunpaved: 14,016 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser,Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in thedelta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used byoceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water
Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; naturalgas 460 km
Ports and harbors: Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, BurSafajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez
Merchant marine:total: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,334,406GRT/2,022,785 DWTships by type: bulk 25, cargo 63, container 1, liquefied gas tanker1, oil tanker 14, passenger 56, refrigerated cargo 1,roll-on/roll-off cargo 16, short-sea passenger 3 (1998 est.)
Airports: 89 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 70 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 17,756,706 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 11,507,058 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 694,468 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $3.28 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 8.2% (FY95/96)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899
Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriers
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@El Salvador —————-
Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 21,040 sq kmland: 20,720 sq kmwater: 320 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries: total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline: 307 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season(November to April)
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and centralplateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum
Land use:arable land: 27%permanent crops: 8%permanent pastures: 29%forests and woodland: 5%other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; waterpollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes;Hurricane Mitch damage
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography—note: smallest Central American country and only onewithout a coastline on Caribbean Sea
People
Population: 5,839,079 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 37% (male 1,091,500; female 1,044,658)15-64 years: 58% (male 1,612,847; female 1,786,318)65 years and over: 5% (male 138,052; female 165,704) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.53% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.19 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 28.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.02 years male: 66.7 years female: 73.5 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.99 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran
Ethnic groups: mestizo 94%, Amerindian 5%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 75% note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador
Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 71.5%male: 73.5%female: 69.8% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of El Salvadorconventional short form: El Salvadorlocal long form: Republica de El Salvadorlocal short form: El Salvador
Data code: ES
Government type: republic
Capital: San Salvador
Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos,singular—departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango,Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, SanSalvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 20 December 1983
Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations note: Legislative Assembly passed landmark judicial reforms in 1996
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Armando CALDERON Sol (since 1 June 1994);Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Armando CALDERON Sol (since 1 June1994); Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministerselections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 20 March1994, with a run-off election held 24 April 1994 (next to be held 7March 1999)election results: Armando CALDERON Sol elected president; percent ofvote—Armando CALDERON Sol (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas(CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other 10.49%;because no candidate received a majority, a run-off election washeld and the results were as follows—Armando CALDERON Sol (ARENA)68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%note: in the election held 7 March 1999, Francisco FLORES electedpresident, Carlos QUINTANILLA elected vice president (will takeoffice 1 June 1999); percent of vote—Francisco FLORES (ARENA) 52%,Facundo GUARDADO (FMLN/USC) 29%, Ruben ZAMORA (CD) 8%, other parties11%
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or AsambleaLegislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote toserve three-year terms)elections: last held 16 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 2000)election results: percent of vote by party—ARENA 35.4%, FMLN 34.3%,PCN 8.1%, PDC 7.9%, CD 3.8%, PRSC 3.4%, PLD 3.2%, MU 2.1%, PD 1.0%,other 0.8%; seats by party—ARENA 28, FMLN 27, PCN 9, PDC 8, PRSC 3,CD 2, PLD 2, MU 1, PD 1, independent 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges areselected by the Legislative Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance orMARTINEZ, president]note: the Social Christian Union or USC is formed by the union ofthe Social Christian Renovation Party or PRSC, the Unity Movement orMU, and the MSN
Political pressure groups and leaders: labor organizations: National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL business organizations: Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL,OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Rene A. LEONchancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,New Orleans, New York, and San Franciscoconsulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band—it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Economy
Economy—overview: In recent years inflation has fallen to unprecedented levels, and exports have grown substantially. Even so, El Salvador has experienced sizable deficits in both its trade and its fiscal accounts. The trade deficit has been offset by remittances from the large number of Salvadorans living abroad and from external aid. El Salvador sustained damage from Hurricane Mitch, but not as much as other Central American countries. Inflation and the trade deficit are expected to rise somewhat as a result.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$17.5 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.7% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,000 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 24% services: 61% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 48.3% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 38.3% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1998)
Labor force: 2.26 million (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%
Unemployment rate: 7.7% (1997 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.75 billionexpenditures: $1.82 billion, including capital expenditures of $317million (1997 est.)
Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals,fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals
Industrial production growth rate: 7% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 3.575 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 22.38% hydro: 61.54% nuclear: 0% other: 16.08% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 3.547 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 32 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products; shrimp
Exports: $1.96 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: coffee, sugar; shrimp; textiles
Exports—partners: US, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras
Imports: $3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.)
Imports—commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels
Imports—partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Japan
Debt—external: $2.6 billion (yearend 1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $391.7 million (1995); note?US has committed $280 million in economic assistance to El Salvador for 1995-97 (excludes military aid)
Currency: 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 (end of period)—8.755 (January 1999-1995), 8.750 (1994) note: as of 1 June 1990, the rate is based on the average of the buying and selling rates, set on a weekly basis, for official receipts and payments, imports of petroleum, and coffee exports; prior to that date, a system of floating was in effect
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 350,000 (1997 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay systeminternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);connected to Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 18, FM 80, shortwave 2
Radios: 1.5 million (1997 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997)
Televisions: 700,000 (1997 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 602 km (single track; note—some sections abandoned, unusable,or operating at reduced capacity)narrow gauge: 602 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:total: 10,029 kmpaved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways)unpaved: 8,043 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable
Ports and harbors: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, LaUnion, Puerto El Triunfo
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 86 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 65 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,393,986 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 884,093 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 65,224 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $105 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 0.9% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: demarcation of boundary with Honduras defined by 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision has not been completed; small boundary section left unresolved by ICJ decision not yet reported to have been settled; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for local consumption
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@Equatorial Guinea ————————-
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, betweenCameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 28,050 sq kmland: 28,050 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Coastline: 296 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, small unexploited depositsof gold, manganese, uranium
Land use:arable land: 5%permanent crops: 4%permanent pastures: 4%forests and woodland: 46%other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: violent windstorms, flash floods
Environment—current issues: tap water is not potable; desertification
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated
People
Population: 465,746 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 100,334; female 99,826)15-64 years: 53% (male 118,248; female 129,777)65 years and over: 4% (male 7,801; female 9,760) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.55% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 38.49 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: migration to Spain is a traditional and continuing factor; between 80% and 90% of Equatorial Guinean nationals going to Spain do not return
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 91.18 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.39 years male: 52.03 years female: 56.83 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic groups: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni(primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish
Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic,pagan practices
Languages: Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin English,Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 78.5%male: 89.6%female: 68.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guineaconventional short form: Equatorial Guinealocal long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatoriallocal short form: Guinea Ecuatorialformer: Spanish Guinea
Data code: EK
Government type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy (the transition appears to have halted)
Capital: Malabo
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular—provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995
Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMAMBASOGO (since 3 August 1979)head of government: Prime Minister Serafin Seriche DOUGAN (since NAApril 1996); First Vice Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs MiguelOYONO NDONG (since NA January 1998); Second Vice Prime Minister forInternal Affairs Demetrio Elo NDONG NGEFUMU (since NA January 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote to a seven-year term;election last held 25 February 1996 (next to be held NA February2003); prime minister and vice prime ministers appointed by thepresidentelection results: President OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected with 98%of popular vote in elections marred by widespread fraud
Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 November 1993 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PDGE 68, CSDP 6, UDS 5, CLD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal
Political parties and leaders:ruling party: Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGEopposition parties: Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDSBOKESA, president]; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition or PCSDmayor of Malabo]; Social Democratic and Popular Convergence or CSDP
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer),OAU, OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO,WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pastor Micha ONDO BILE chancery: 1712 I Street NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20005
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Equatorial Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); US relations with Equatorial Guinea are handled through the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon; the US State Department is considering opening a Consulate Agency in Malabo
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
Economy
Economy—overview: The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Several large oil companies are expected to bid on oil licenses by May 1999. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the deterioration of the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth. A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of the government's gross corruption and mismanagement. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. The country responded favorably to the devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$660 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,500 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 46% industry: 33% services: 21% (1995 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1996 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $47 millionexpenditures: $43 million, including capital expenditures of $7million (1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity—production: 19 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 89.47% hydro: 10.53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 19 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts, manioc (tapioca); livestock; timber
Exports: $197 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Exports—commodities: petroleum, timber, cocoa
Exports—partners: US 34%, Japan 17%, Spain 13%, China 13%, Nigeria
Imports: $248 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
Imports—commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
Imports—partners: Cameroon 40%, Spain 18%, France 14%, US 8%
Debt—external: $254 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $33.8 million (1995)
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) is used
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: poor system with adequate government servicesdomestic: NAinternational: international communications from Bata and Malabo toAfrican and European countries; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat(Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,880 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 2,880 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Bata, Luba, Malabo
Merchant marine:total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,370 GRT/25,194 DWTships by type: cargo 9, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid InterventionForce, National Police
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 102,269 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 51,979 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.5 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay; maritime boundary dispute with Nigeria because of disputed jurisdiction over oil-rich areas in the Gulf of Guinea
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@Eritrea ———-
Introduction
Background: On 29 May 1991, ISAIAS Afworki, secretary general of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), which then served as the country's legislative body, announced the formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE) in preparation for the 23-25 April 1993 referendum on independence from Ethiopia. The referendum resulted in a landslide vote for independence, which became effective on 24 May 1993.
Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 121,320 sq kmland: 121,320 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total: 1,630 km border countries: Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km
Coastline: 2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler andwetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually);semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest duringJune-September except on coastal desert
Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trendinghighlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on thenorthwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rollingplains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 mhighest point: Soira 3,018 m
Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oiland natural gas (currently under exploration), fish
Land use:arable land: 12%permanent crops: 1%permanent pastures: 48%forests and woodland: 20%other: 19% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent droughts
Environment—current issues: deforestation; desertification; soilerosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpeciessigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategic geopolitical position along world'sbusiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline ofEthiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopiaon 27 April 1993
People
Population: 3,984,723 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 859,899; female 852,329)15-64 years: 54% (male 1,061,921; female 1,078,102)65 years and over: 3% (male 67,969; female 64,503) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.88% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 42.56 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.32 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: it is estimated that approximately 315,000 Eritrean refugees were still living in Sudan by the end of 1997 according to the UNHCR
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 76.84 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.74 years male: 53.61 years female: 57.95 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.96 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean
Ethnic groups: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%
Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages: Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, minor ethnic group languages
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name:conventional long form: State of Eritreaconventional short form: Eritrealocal long form: Hagere Ertralocal short form: Ertraformer: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Data code: ER
Government type: transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature
Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (singular—awraja); Akale Guzay, Barka, Denkel, Hamasen, Sahil, Semhar, Senhit, Seraye note: in May 1995 the National Assembly adopted a resolution stating that the administrative structure of Eritrea, which had been established by former colonial powers, would consist of only six provinces when the new constitution, then being drafted, became effective in 1997; the new provinces, the names of which had not been recommended by the US Board on Geographic Names for recognition by the US Government, pending acceptable definition of the boundaries, were: Anseba, Debub, Debubawi Keyih Bahri, Gash-Barka, Maakel, and Semanawi Keyih Bahri; more recently, it has been reported that these provinces have been redesignated regions and renamed Southern Red Sea, Northern Red Sea, Anseba, Gash-Barka, Southern, and Central
Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the EritreaAutonomous Region)
National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24May (1993)
Constitution: the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution that was promulgated in May 1997
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA; note—it seems likely that the final version of the constitution would follow the example set in the referendum of 1993 and extend suffrage to all persons 18 years of age or older
Executive branch:chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: State Council is the collective executive authoritynote: the president is head of the State Council and NationalAssemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly; election lastheld 8 June 1993 (next to be held NA)election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote—ISAIAS Afworki 95%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; termlimits not established)elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the newconstitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the oldCentral Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-memberConstituent Assembly which had been established in 1997 to discussand ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreansliving abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly toserve as the country's legislative body until country-wide electionsto a National Assembly are held; only 75 members will be elected tothe National Assembly—the other 75 will be members of the CentralCommittee of the PFDJ
Judicial branch: the Supreme Court; 10 provincial courts; 29district courts
Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy andAfworki, PETROS Solomon]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Eritrean Islamic Jihad orNAWUD]; Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council or ELF-RC
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SEMERE Russom chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador William CLARKembassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmaramailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara
Flag description: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoistside) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangleis green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a goldolive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle
Economy
Economy—overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea faced the bitter economic problem of a small, desperately poor African country. The economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with over 70% of the population involved in farming and herding. The small industrial sector consists mainly of light industries with outmoded technologies. Domestic output (GDP) is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and taxes on income and sales. Road construction is a top domestic priority. Eritrea has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of offshore oil, offshore fishing, and tourism. Eritrea's economic future depends on its ability to master fundamental social and economic problems, e.g., overcoming illiteracy, promoting job creation, expanding technical training, attracting foreign investment, and streamlining the bureaucracy. The most immediate threat to the economy, however, is the possible expansion of the armed conflict with Ethiopia.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$2.5 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$660 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 20% services: 62% (1995 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $226 millionexpenditures: $453 million, including capital expenditures of $88million (1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: NA kWh
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: NA kWh
Electricity—exports: NA kWh
Electricity—imports: NA kWh
Agriculture—products: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish
Exports: $95 million (1996 est.)
Exports—commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, smallmanufactures
Exports—partners: Ethiopia 67%, Sudan 10%, US 8%, Italy 4%, SaudiArabia, Yemen (1996)
Imports: $514 million (1996 est.)
Imports—commodities: processed goods, machinery, petroleumproducts
Imports—partners: Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, United ArabEmirates (1996)
Debt—external: $46 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $149.9 million (1995)
Currency: 1 nafka = 100 cents
Exchange rates: nakfa per US$1 = 7.6 (January 1999), 7.2 (March1998 est.)note: following independence from Ethiopia, Eritrea continued to useEthiopian currency until November 1997 when Eritrea issued its owncurrency, the nakfa, at approximately the same rate as the birr,i.e., 7.2 nakfa per US$1
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:domestic: very inadequate; about 4 telephones per 100 families, mostof which are in Asmara; government is seeking international tendersto improve the systeminternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (government controlled) (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways:total: 307 kmnarrow gauge: 307 km 0.950-m gauge (1995 est.)note: nonoperational since 1978 except for about a 5 km stretch thatwas reopened in Massawa in 1994; rehabilitation of the remainder andof the rolling stock is under way; links Ak'ordat and Asmara(formerly Asmera) with the port of Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa)
Highways: total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa)
Merchant marine:total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,947 GRT/5,747 DWTships by type: oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)