Industries: food and beverages, textiles, light assemblyoperations, tourism, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 70 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 70 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables
Exports: $22 million (1997)
Exports—commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit andvegetables, clothing, mace
Exports—partners: Caricom 32.3%, UK 20%, US 13%, Netherlands 8.8%(1991)
Imports: $166.5 million (1997)
Imports—commodities: food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery20%, chemicals 10%, fuel 6% (1989)
Imports—partners: US 31.2%, Caricom 23.6%, UK 13.8%, Japan 7.1%(1991)
Debt—external: $74 million (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $8.3 million (1995)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1—2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 5,650 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 80,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997)
Televisions: 30,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,040 km paved: 638 km unpaved: 402 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Grenville, Saint George's
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Grenada Police Force (includes SpecialService Unit), Coast Guard
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US
======================================================================
@Guadeloupe —————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 15 N, 61 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 1,780 sq kmland: 1,706 sq kmwater: 74 sq kmnote: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands,including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade,Iles des Saintes, Saint Barthelemy, and part of Saint Martin
Area—comparative: 10 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km
Coastline: 306 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity
Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interiormountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of theseven other islands are volcanic in origin
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Soufriere 1,467 m
Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate thatfoster tourism
Land use:arable land: 14%permanent crops: 4%permanent pastures: 14%forests and woodland: 39%other: 29% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere is an active volcano
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
People
Population: 420,943 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 25% (male 53,427; female 51,234)15-64 years: 66% (male 138,215; female 141,243)65 years and over: 9% (male 15,536; female 21,288) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.06% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 16.33 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.62 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.16 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: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.01 years male: 74.98 years female: 81.18 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guadeloupian(s) adjective: Guadeloupe
Ethnic groups: black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian,Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%,Protestant sects 1%
Languages: French (official) 99%, Creole patois
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90%male: 90%female: 90% (1982 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupeconventional short form: Guadeloupelocal long form: Departement de la Guadeloupelocal short form: Guadeloupe
Data code: GP
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
Capital: Basse-Terre
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995), represented by Prefect Jean FEDINI (since NA 1996)head of government: President of the General Council MarcellinLUBETH (since NA 1998); President of the Regional Council LucetteMICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councilselection results: NA
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General(42 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-yearterms) and the unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)elections: General Council—last held 22 March 1998 (next to be heldby NA 2002); Regional Council—last held 15 March 1998 (next to beheld NA 2004)election results: General Council—percent of vote by party—NA; seatsby party—various left parties 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6, various rightparties 5, PCC 3, UDF 1; Regional Council—percent of vote byparty—RPR 48.03%, PS/PPDG/DVG 24.49%, PCG 5.29%, DVD 5.73%; seats byparty—RPR 25, PS/PPDG/DVG 12, PCG 2, DVD 2note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate;elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September2004); percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 1, FGPS 1;Guadeloupe elects four representatives to the French NationalAssembly; elections last held 25 May—1 June 1997 (next to be held NA2002); percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—FGPS 2, RPR 1,PPDG 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel withjurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic or RPRREIETTE]; Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe orIBO]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Movement for IndependentGuadeloupe or MPGI; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG;General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; ChristianMovement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas departmentof France)
Flag description: three horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a wide red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are separated from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a five-pointed gold star is centered in the red band toward the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It also depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$3.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$9,000 (1996 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 9% services: 85% (1993 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1990)
Labor force: 128,000
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 15%, industry 20%, services 65% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 29.5% (1997)
Budget:revenues: $200 millionexpenditures: $350 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997)
Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 960 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 960 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats
Exports: $133 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: bananas, sugar, rum
Exports—partners: France 75%, Martinique 13% (1994)
Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing andother consumer goods, construction materials
Imports—partners: France 64%, EU 13%, Martinique 4%, US, Japan(1994)
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA; note?substantial annual French subsidies
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1—5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155(1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 64,916 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities inadequatedomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, andMartinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 8 (private stations licensedto broadcast FM 30), shortwave 0
Radios: 100,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (in addition, there are several low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 150,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways: total: 2,082 km paved: 1,742 km unpaved: 340 km (1985 est.) note: in 1996 there were a total of 3,200 km of roads
Ports and harbors: Basse-Terre, Gustavia (on Saint Barthelemy),Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 9 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Guam ——
Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 541.3 sq kmland: 541.3 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 125.5 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated bynortheast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy seasonfrom July to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism(especially from Japan)
Land use:arable land: 11%permanent crops: 11%permanent pastures: 15%forests and woodland: 18%other: 45% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
Environment—current issues: extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic species
Environment—international agreements:party to: NAsigned, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: largest and southernmost island in the MarianaIslands archipelago; strategic location in western North PacificOcean
People
Population: 151,716 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 27,301; female 25,106)15-64 years: 60% (male 47,691; female 42,714)65 years and over: 5% (male 4,486; female 4,418) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.67% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.52 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.35 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.11 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.78 years male: 74.6 years female: 81.31 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.92 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guamanian(s) adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic groups: Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, white 10%, Chinese,Japanese, Korean, and other 18%
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (1990 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Guamconventional short form: Guam
Data code: GQ
Dependency status: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type: NA
Capital: Hagatna (Agana)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Liberation Day, 21 July (1944)
Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system: modeled on US; US federal laws apply
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do notvote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON of the US (since20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January1993)head of government: Governor Carl GUTIERREZ (since 8 November 1994)and Lieutenant Governor Madeleine BORDALLO (since 8 November 1994)cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor withthe consent of the Guam legislatureelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governorelected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms;election last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2002)election results: Carl GUTIERREZ reelected governor; percent ofvote—Carl GUTIERREZ (Democrat) 53.2%, Joseph ADA (Republican) 46.8%
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)elections: last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held NA November2000)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—Republican 12, Democratic 3note: Guam elects one delegate to the US House of Representatives;election last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held NA November2000); results—Robert UNDERWOOD was reelected as delegate; percentof vote by party—NA; seats by party—Democratic 1
Judicial branch: Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)
Political parties and leaders: Republican Party (controls the
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate),Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US)
Flag description: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on tourist revenue. Over the past 20 years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. More than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The industry suffered a setback in 1998 because of the continuing Japanese recession; the Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the tourists. Most food and industrial goods are imported. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$3 billion (1996 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$19,000 (1996 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1992 est.)
Labor force: 65,660 (1995)
Labor force—by occupation: federal and territorial government 31%, private 69% (trade 21%, services 33%, construction 12%, other 3%) (1995)
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $524.3 millionexpenditures: $361.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995)
Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Exports: $86.1 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Exports—commodities: mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products
Exports—partners: US 25%
Imports: $202.4 million (c.i.f., 1992)
Imports—commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Imports—partners: US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA; note?although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October—30 September
Communications
Telephones: 74,317 (March 1997)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);submarine cables to US and Japan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 206,000 (1994)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997)
Televisions: 97,000 (1994 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: 885 kmpaved: 675 kmunpaved: 210 kmnote: there is another 685 km of roads classified non-public,including roads located on federal government installations
Ports and harbors: Apra Harbor
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Guatemala ————-
Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, betweenHonduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, betweenEl Salvador and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 108,890 sq kmland: 108,430 sq kmwater: 460 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,687 kmborder countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline: 400 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use:arable land: 12%permanent crops: 5%permanent pastures: 24%forests and woodland: 54%other: 5% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; Hurricane Mitch damage
Environment—international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertication, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: no natural harbors on west coast
People
Population: 12,335,580 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43% (male 2,688,402; female 2,578,934)15-64 years: 54% (male 3,312,360; female 3,314,102)65 years and over: 3% (male 207,014; female 234,768) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.68% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 35.57 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.93 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: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 46.15 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.45 years male: 63.78 years female: 69.24 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.74 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish—in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 44%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan
Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 Amerindianlanguages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 55.6%male: 62.5%female: 48.6% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Guatemalaconventional short form: Guatemalalocal long form: Republica de Guatemalalocal short form: Guatemala
Data code: GT
Government type: republic
Capital: Guatemala
Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos,singular—departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango,Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango,Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu,Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez,Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 note: suspended 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14January 1996); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14January 1996); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers named by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 12 November 1995; runoff held 7 January 1996(next to be held NA November 1999)election results: Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen elected president;percent of vote—Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (PAN) 51.2%, JorgePORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 48.8%
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic orCongreso de la Republica (80 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held on 12 November 1995 (next to be held inNovember 1999)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PAN43, FRG 21, FDNG 6, DCG 4, UCN 3, UD 2, MLN 1note: on 11 November 1993 the congress approved a procedure thatreduced its number from 116 seats to 80; the procedure provided fora special election in mid-1994 to elect an interim congress of 80members to serve until replaced in the November 1995 generalelection; the plan was approved in a general referendum in January1994 and the special election was held on 14 August 1994
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJusticia); additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presidedover by the president of the Supreme Court, judges are elected for afive-year term by Congress
Political parties and leaders: National Centrist Union or UCNARRIAGA Martinez]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union or URNG
Political pressure groups and leaders: Coordinating Committee ofAgricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations orCACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM; Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO;Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Alliance Against Impunity orAAI
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC,FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William STIXRUD chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. PLANTY embassy: 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
Economy
Economy—overview: The agricultural sector accounts for one-fourth of GDP and two-thirds of exports and employs more than half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Manufacturing and construction account for one-fifth of GDP. Since assuming office in January 1996, President ARZU has worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. The signing of the peace accords in December 1996, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused relatively little damage to Guatemala compared to its neighbors. Nevertheless, growth will be somewhat smaller due to the storm. Remaining challenges include increasing government revenues, and negotiating a program with the IMF.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$45.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,800 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 21% services: 55% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 46.6% (1989)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (1998)
Labor force: 3.32 million (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 58%, services 14%, manufacturing 14%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 2.6%, utilities 0.3%, mining 0.1% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (1996)
Electricity—production: 3.1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 29.03% hydro: 70.97% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 3.1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, petroleum
Exports—partners: US 37%, El Salvador 13%, Honduras 7%, CostaRica 5%, Germany 5%
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.)
Imports—commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery,grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles
Imports—partners: US 44%, Mexico 10%, Venezuela 4.6%, Japan,Germany
Debt—external: $3.38 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $211.9 million (1995)
Currency: 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: quetzales (Q) per US$1—6.7284 (January 1999), 6.3947 (1998), 6.0653 (1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 210,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern network centered in the city ofGuatemaladomestic: NAinternational: connected to Central American Microwave System;satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 15
Radios: 400,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6 (in addition, there are 17 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 475,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 884 km (102 km privately owned)narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)
Highways:total: 13,100 kmpaved: 3,616 km (including 140 km of expressways)unpaved: 9,484 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 kmnavigable during high-water season
Pipelines: crude oil 275 km
Ports and harbors: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal,San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 478 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 122,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 6under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 4662,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 9914 to 1,523 m: 124under 914 m: 332 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,915,169 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,903,382 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 134,964 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $124 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 0.7% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: border with Belize in dispute
Illicit drugs: transit country for cocaine shipments; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; active eradication program of cannabis crop effectively eliminated in 1996
======================================================================
@Guernsey ————
Geography
Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 194 sq kmland: 194 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some othersmaller islands
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 50 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m
Natural resources: cropland
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
People
Population: 65,386 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 6,012; female 5,875)15-64 years: 66% (male 21,287; female 22,165)65 years and over: 16% (male 4,069; female 5,978) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.27% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 14.16 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.44 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.72 years male: 75.78 years female: 81.77 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist,Congregational, Methodist
Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken incountry districts
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernseyconventional short form: Guernsey
Data code: GK
Dependency status: British crown dependency
Government type: NA
Capital: Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law andpractice
Legal system: English law and local statute; justice isadministered by the Royal Court
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)head of government: Lieutenant Governor Sir John COWARD (since NA1994) and Bailiff Sir Graham Martyn DOREY (since NA February 1992)cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee appointed by the Assembly ofthe Stateselections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governorappointed by the monarch; bailiff appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States (60 seats—33 elected by popular vote; members serve six-year terms) elections: last held 20 April 1994 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—all independents
Judicial branch: Royal Court
Political parties and leaders: none; all independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crowndependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crowndependency)
Flag description: white with the red cross of Saint George(patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag
Economy
Economy—overview: Financial services?banking, fund management, insurance, etc.—account for about 55% of total income in this tiny Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the rules of the game under which Guernsey operates.
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: $NA
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1988)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 3%-4% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $277.9 millionexpenditures: $248.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking
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: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Exports: $NA
Exports—commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
Exports—partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports: $NA
Imports—commodities: coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment
Imports—partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Guernsey (LG) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds (LG) per US$1—0.6057 (January 1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994); note—the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 41,850 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: 1 submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Guinea ———
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 245,860 sq kmland: 245,860 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline: 320 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season(June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December toMay) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainousinterior
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium,hydropower, fish
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 22%forests and woodland: 59%other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 930 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Environment—current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 7,538,953 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 1,640,158; female 1,653,184)15-64 years: 54% (male 1,974,849; female 2,068,221)65 years and over: 2% (male 83,859; female 118,682) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.82% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 40.62 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 17.3 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)