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@Korea, South ——————
Introduction
Background: At the end of World War II, the US and the Soviet Union agreed that US troops would accept the surrender of Japanese forces south of the 38th parallel and the Soviet Union would do so in the north. In 1948, the UN proposed nationwide elections; after P'yongyang's refusal to allow UN inspectors in the north, elections were held in the south and the Republic of Korea was established. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established the following month in the north. Communist North Korean forces invaded South Korea in 1950. US and other UN forces intervened to defend the South and Chinese forces intervened on behalf of the North. After a bitter three-year war, an armistice was signed in 1953, establishing a military demarcation line near the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved amazing economic growth, with per capita output rising to 13 times the level in the North. Since late 1997, however, the nation has suffered widespread financial and organizational difficulties. Continuing tensions between North and South have raised concerns of provocative military actions by the North.
Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total: 98,480 sq kmland: 98,190 sq kmwater: 290 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km
Coastline: 2,413 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait
Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead,hydropower
Land use:arable land: 19%permanent crops: 2%permanent pastures: 1%forests and woodland: 65%other: 13% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 13,350 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest
Environment—current issues: air pollution in large cities; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; driftnet fishing
Environment—international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification
People
Population: 46,884,800 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 5,504,333; female 4,874,974)15-64 years: 71% (male 16,949,807; female 16,432,951)65 years and over: 7% (male 1,192,688; female 1,930,047) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 15.95 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.13 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.3 years male: 70.75 years female: 78.32 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions: Christianity 49%, Buddhism 47%, Confucianism 3%, pervasive folk religion (shamanism), Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way), and other 1%
Languages: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and highschool
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98%male: 99.3%female: 96.7% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Koreaconventional short form: South Korealocal long form: Taehan-min'guklocal short form: nonenote: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han-guk" to refer totheir countryabbreviation: ROK
Data code: KS
Government type: republic
Capital: Seoul
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)and 6 special cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do,Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*,Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*
Independence: 15 August 1945, date of liberation from Japanesecolonial rule
National holiday: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
Constitution: 25 February 1988
Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President KIM Dae-jung (since 25 February 1998)head of government: Prime Minister KIM Chong-p'il (since 3 March1998)cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the primeminister's recommendationelections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-yearterm; election last held 18 December 1997 (next to be held by 18December 2002); prime minister appointed by the president; deputyprime ministers appointed by the president on the prime minister'srecommendationelection results: KIM Dae-jung elected president; percent ofvote—KIM Dae-jung (NCNP) 40.3%, YI Hoe-chang (GNP) 38.7%, YI In-che(NPP) 19.2%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—NKP 139, NCNP 79, ULD 50, DP 15, independents 16; note—the distribution of seats as of February 1999 was GNP 137, NCNP 105, ULD 53, independents 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by thepresident subject to the consent of the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Grand National Party or GNP [CHOpresident]note: subsequent to the legislative election of April 1996 thefollowing parties disbanded—New Korea Party or NKP and DemocraticParty or DP; New People's Party or NPP merged with the NCNP inAugust 1998
Political pressure groups and leaders: Korean National Council ofChurches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federationof Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers'Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of KoreanTrade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of KoreanIndustries; Korean Traders Association; Korean Confederation ofTrade Unions
International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, BIS,CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador YI Hong-kuchancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston,Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, SanFrancisco, and Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen W. BOSWORTH embassy: 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-0001
Flag description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Economy
Economy—overview: As one of the Four Dragons of East Asia, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth. Three decades ago its GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is seven times India's, 13 times North Korea's, and already near the lesser economies of the European Union. This success through the late 1980s was achieved by a system of close government business ties, including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed certain longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model, including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. By the end of 1998 it had recovered financial stability, rebuilding foreign exchange reserves to record levels by running a current account surplus of $40 billion. As of December 1998, the first tentative signs of a rebound in the economy emerged, and most forecasters expect GDP growth to turn positive at least in the second half of 1999. Seoul has also made a positive start on a program to get the country's largest business groups to swap subsidiaries to promote specialization, and the administration has directed many of the mid-sized conglomerates into debt-workout programs with creditor banks. Challenges for the future include cutting redundant staff, which reaches 20%-30% at most firms and maintaining the impetus for structural reform.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$584.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -6.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$12,600 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 43% services: 51% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (1998)
Labor force: 20 million
Labor force—by occupation: services and other 52%, mining and manufacturing 27%, agriculture, fishing, forestry 21% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 7.9% (1998)
Budget:revenues: $100.4 billionexpenditures: $100.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)
Industries: electronics, automobile production, chemicals,shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 194.163 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 61.18% hydro: 2.65% nuclear: 36.17% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 194.163 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish
Exports: $133 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: electronic and electrical equipment, machinery, steel, automobiles, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish
Exports—partners: US 17%, EU 13%, Japan 12% (1995)
Imports: $94 billion (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains
Imports—partners: US 22%, Japan 21%, EU 13% (1995)
Debt—external: $154 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical)
Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1—1,174.00 (January 1999), 1,401.44 (1998), 951.29 (1997), 804.45 (1996), 771.27 (1995), 803.45 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 16.6 million (1993)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international servicesdomestic: NAinternational: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; satellite earthstations—3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 79, FM 46, shortwave 0
Radios: 42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 121 (in addition, there are 850 relay stations and eight-channel American Forces Korea Network) (1997)
Televisions: 9.3 million (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 6,240 kmstandard gauge: 6,240 km 1.435-m gauge (525 km electrified) (1998est.)
Highways:total: 63,500 kmpaved: 46,800 km (including 1,720 km of expressways)unpaved: 16,700 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km; note—additionally, there is a parallel petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) pipeline being completed
Ports and harbors: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o,P'ohang, Pusan, Tonghae-hang, Ulsan, Yosu
Merchant marine:total: 442 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,212,089GRT/8,161,845 DWTships by type: bulk 106, cargo 133, chemical tanker 36, combinationbulk 5, container 52, liquefied gas tanker 13, multifunctionlarge-load carrier 1, oil tanker 56, passenger 3, refrigerated cargo22, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specializedtanker 3, vehicle carrier 9 (1998 est.)
Airports: 103 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 68 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 32 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 200 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, NationalMaritime Police (Coast Guard)
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 13,954,916 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 8,890,144 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 400,468 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $9.9 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 3.2% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Demarcation Line with North Korea;Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Tokdo) claimed by Japan
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@Kuwait ———
Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total: 17,820 sq kmland: 17,820 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 464 km border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline: 499 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 8%forests and woodland: 0%other: 92% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October toApril; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roadsand houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year,but are most common between March and August
Environment—current issues: limited natural fresh waterresources; some of world's largest and most sophisticateddesalination facilities provide much of the water; air and waterpollution; desertification
Environment—international agreements:party to: Climate Change, Desertification, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, MarineDumping
Geography—note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
People
Population: 1,991,115 (July 1999 est.)note: includes 1,220,935 non-nationals (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 343,461; female 285,129)15-64 years: 66% (male 850,689; female 468,618)65 years and over: 2% (male 26,593; female 16,625) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.88% (1999 est.) note: this rate reflects the continued post-Gulf crisis return of expatriates
Birth rate: 20.45 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 2.31 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 20.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.2 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.82 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.6 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.58 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.15 years male: 75.11 years female: 79.3 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.34 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%,Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu,Parsi, and other 15%
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 78.6%male: 82.2%female: 74.9% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: State of Kuwaitconventional short form: Kuwaitlocal long form: Dawlat al Kuwaytlocal short form: Al Kuwayt
Data code: KU
Government type: nominal constitutional monarchy
Capital: Kuwait
Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular—muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli
Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant inpersonal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years ormore or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their maledescendants at age 21note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification buthave been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for thefirst time
Executive branch:chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31December 1977)head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallahal-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy PrimeMinister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992);Second Deputy Prime Minister SALIM al-Sabah al-Salim Al Sabah (since7 October 1996)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister andapproved by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister anddeputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlisal-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 7 October 1996 (next to be held approximatelyOctober 2000)election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—independents 50;note—all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of theNational Assembly
Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim Al SABAH chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James A. LAROCCO embassy: Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City mailing address: P.O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait; Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels—10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait lacks water and has practically no arable land, thus preventing development of agriculture. With the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. The economy improved moderately in 1994-97, but in 1998 suffered from the large decline in world oil prices. The Kuwaiti cabinet approved a reform package in January 1999, including reducing subsidies and increasing taxes on large consumer goods. Nevertheless, Kuwait anticipates continuing budget deficits for the next few years. Kuwait is attracting foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$43.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$22,700 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 55% services: 45% (1996)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 1.1 million (1996 est.) note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: government and social services 50%, services 40%, industry and agriculture 10% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (official 1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $8.1 billionexpenditures: $14.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY98/99 budget est.)
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, foodprocessing, construction materials, salt, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 23 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 23 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: practically no crops; fish
Exports: $14.3 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports—partners: Japan 24%, India 16%, US 13%, South Korea 11%,Singapore 8% (1997)
Imports: $7.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports—commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles andparts, clothing
Imports—partners: US 22%, Japan 15%, UK 13%, Germany 8%, Italy 6%(1997)
Debt—external: $7.3 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $27.6 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1—0.3018 (January 1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996), 0.2984 (1995), 0.2976 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 408,000 (1998)
Telephone system: the civil network suffered some damage as a result of the Gulf war, but most of the telephone exchanges were left intact and, by the end of 1994, domestic and international telecommunications had been restored to normal operation; the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait (with approximately 150,000 subscribers in 1996) and the country is well supplied with pay telephones; approximately 15,000 Internet subscribers in 1996 international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations—3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 720,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 13 (in addition, there are several satellite channels) (1997)
Televisions: 800,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 4,450 km paved: 3,587 km unpaved: 863 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; naturalgas 165 km
Ports and harbors: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina''Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Merchant marine:total: 49 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,509,061 GRT/4,046,739DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 10, container 6, liquefied gas tanker7, livestock carrier 3, oil tanker 22 (1998 est.)
Airports: 8 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force,National Guard, Coast Guard
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 718,061 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 425,126 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 20,854 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.7035 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 7.9% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by Saudi Arabia
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@Kyrgyzstan —————
Introduction
Background: A country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan became part of the Russian empire in 1864. In the Czarist and Soviet periods, Russian managers and technicians were sent to Kyrgyzstan and have recently made up more than one-fifth of the population. Many Russians have been returning home since Kyrgyzstan gained its independence in 1991 when the USSR collapsed. Privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, and inter-ethnic relations are current issues.
Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:total: 198,500 sq kmland: 191,300 sq kmwater: 7,200 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:total: 3,878 kmborder countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropicalin southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basinsencompass entire nation
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:arable land: 7%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 44%forests and woodland: 4%other: 45% (1993 est.)note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 4,546,055 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 804,502; female 788,076)15-64 years: 59% (male 1,308,145; female 1,362,140)65 years and over: 6% (male 105,442; female 177,750) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.68% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.83 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 8.74 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.57 years male: 59.25 years female: 68.1 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.63 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%
Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz)—official language, Russian?officiallanguagenote: in March 1996, the Kyrgyzstani legislature amended theconstitution to make Russian an official language, along withKirghiz, in territories and work places where Russian-speakingcitizens predominate
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 99%female: 96% (1989 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republicconventional short form: Kyrgyzstanlocal long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasylocal short form: noneformer: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Government type: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular—oblast) and 1city* (singular—shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)note: administrative divisions have the same names as theiradministrative centers (exceptions have the administrative centername following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993 note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)head of government: Prime Minister Jumabek IBRAIMOV (since NADecember 1998)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent ofvote—Askar AKAYEV 75%; note—elections were held early which gave thetwo opposition candidates little time to campaign; AKAYEV may haveorchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one ofwhom was a major rival
Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Assembly of People's Representatives—last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); Legislative Assembly—last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: Assembly of People's Representatives—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—NA; note—not all of the 70 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly; Legislative Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—NA; note—not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for 10-yearterms by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president;Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party or PSDJEKSHEYEV, chairman]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNEMASALIYEV, chairman]; Kyrgyzstan Erkin Party (Democratic Movement of
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Unity DemocraticMovement; Council of Free Trade Unions; Union of Entrepreneurs;
International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD,ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO(correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNOMSIL, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne M. SIGMUND embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek mailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
Economy
Economy—overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production have been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat some of the severe economic problems such as excessive debt and inadequate revenue collection, encountered in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$9.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 1.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,200 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 47% industry: 12% services: 41% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.2% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18.4% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture and forestry 40%, industry and construction 19%, other 41% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% 1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $225 millionexpenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $11million (1996 est.)
Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1998 est.) note: the gold industry spurted in 1998 giving industry as a whole a boost on a small base while the rest of the economy, including agriculture, lagged
Electricity—production: 13.49 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 9.56% hydro: 90.44% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 10.92 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 6.32 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 3.75 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Exports: $630 million (1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports—partners: China, UK, FSU
Imports: $670 million (1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear
Imports—partners: Turkey, Cuba, US, Germany
Debt—external: $935 million (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $329.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) = 100 tyiyn
Exchange rates: soms (KGS) per US$1—30.25 (February 1999), 20.838 (1998), 17.362 (1997), 12.810 (1996), 10.822 (1995), 10.842 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 356,000 (1996 est.)
Telephone system: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably only limited to Bishkek region international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations—1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note—onestate-run radio broadcast station
Radios: 825,000 (radio receiver systems with multiple speakersfor program diffusion 748,000)
Television broadcast stations: NA (repeater stations throughoutthe country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, andTurkey) (1997)
Televisions: 875,000
Transportation
Railways:total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industriallinesbroad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:total: 18,500 kmpaved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)unpaved: 1,646 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 600 km (1990)
Pipelines: natural gas 200 km
Ports and harbors: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports: 54 (1994 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Civil Defense note: border troops controlled by Russia
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,146,595 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 930,017 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 46,561 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $10.8 million (1996)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia
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@Laos ——
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west ofVietnam
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total: 236,800 sq kmland: 230,800 sq kmwater: 6,000 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:total: 5,083 kmborder countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold,gemstones
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 3%forests and woodland: 54%other: 40% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1993 est.) note: rainy season irrigation—2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation—750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
Environment—current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 5,407,453 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 1,235,797; female 1,203,520)15-64 years: 52% (male 1,360,991; female 1,434,378)65 years and over: 3% (male 78,195; female 94,572) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.74% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 39.93 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 89.32 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.21 years male: 52.63 years female: 55.87 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.55 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%,Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien)9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40%
Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethniclanguages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 60%male: 70%female: 48% (1998 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republicconventional short form: Laoslocal long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Laolocal short form: none
Data code: LA
Government type: Communist state
Capital: Vientiane
Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February1998); Vice President OUDOM Khattiya (since 26 February 1998)head of government: Prime Minister SISAVAT Keobounphan (since 26February 1998); Senior Deputy Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit(since 20 April 1996); Deputy Prime Ministers KHAMPHOUI Keoboualapha(since 15 August 1991), CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 26 February1998), SOMSAVAT Lengsavad (since 26 February 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approvedby the National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be heldNA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with theapproval of the National Assembly for a five-year termelection results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote—NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (99 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note—bypresidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seatsincreased from 85 to 99)elections: last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—LPRPor LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court, the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee
Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Partyproscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders: noncommunist politicalgroups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CP,ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador VANG Rattanavong chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wendy Jean CHAMBERLIN embassy: Rue Bartholonie, B.P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Economy
Economy—overview: The government of Laos?one of the few remaining official communist states—has been decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise since 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, have been striking—growth averaged 7% in 1988-96. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade with Thailand, it fell victim to the financial crisis in the region beginning in 1997. Laos is a landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The predominant crop is glutinous rice. In non-drought years, Laos is self-sufficient overall in food, but each year flood, pests, and localized drought cause shortages in various parts of the country. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil erosion will hamper efforts to regain a high rate of GDP growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$6.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,260 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 51% industry: 21% services: 28% (1998 est.)