Irrigated land: 580 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms anddust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment—current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollutionfrom oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People
Population: 2,446,645 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41% (male 508,681; female 489,453)15-64 years: 57% (male 856,062; female 535,123)65 years and over: 2% (male 30,083; female 27,243) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.45% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 37.98 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.29 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.84 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: 1.6 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.33 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.71 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.3 years male: 69.31 years female: 73.39 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.11 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, SriLankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy: definition: NA total population: approaching 80% male: NA% female: NA%
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Sultanate of Omanconventional short form: Omanlocal long form: Saltanat Umanlocal short form: Uman
Data code: MU
Government type: monarchy
Capital: Muscat
Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqat, singular—mintaqah)and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular—muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah,Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*,Zufar*
Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday: National Day, 18 November (1940)
Constitution: none; note—on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral Omani council, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: limited to approximately 50,000 Omanis chosen by thegovernment to vote in elections for the Majlis ash-Shura
Executive branch:chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said(since 23 July 1970); note—the monarch is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said AlSaid (since 23 July 1970); note—the monarch is both the chief ofstate and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch: bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upperchamber or Majlis ad-Dawla (41 seats; members appointed by themonarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlisash-Shura (82 seats; members elected by limited suffrage, however,the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results;body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwisehas only advisory powers)elections: last held NA October 1997 (next to be held NA 2000)election results: NA
Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascentcivil court system, administered by region
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent),ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John D. CRAIGembassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscatmailing address: international: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, MedinatQaboos, Muscat
Flag description: three horizontal bands of white, red, and greenof equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side;the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed ontwo crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top ofthe vertical band
Economy
Economy—overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry. Petroleum accounts for 75% of export earnings and government revenues and for roughly 40% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of 4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years' production at the current rate of extraction. Agriculture is carried on at a subsistence level and the general population depends on imported food. The government is encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign, as a prime force for further economic development. In 1998-99 the economy is suffering from weak world oil prices.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$18.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -8.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$7,900 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 50% services: 48% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 850,000 (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $4 billionexpenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1999 budget est.)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gasproduction, construction, cement, copper
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 8 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 8 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Exports: $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports—partners: Japan 26%, China 19%, Thailand 19%, South Korea 14%, US 4% (1997)
Imports: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery, transportation equipment,manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports—partners: UAE 23% (largely reexports), Japan 16%, UK 14%,US 8%, Germany 5% (1997)
Debt—external: $3 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $76.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza
Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1—0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 150,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: modern system consisting of open wire,microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limitedcoaxial cabledomestic: open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and adomestic satellite system with 8 earth stationsinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1
Radios: 1.043 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 13 (in addition, there are 25 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 1.195 million (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: 32,800 kmpaved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways)unpaved: 22,960 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km
Ports and harbors: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine:total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,306 GRT/8,210 DWTships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 143 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 137 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 35 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includesRoyal Oman Police)
Military manpower—military age: 14 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 752,637 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 420,361 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: NA
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $1.672 billion (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 11.1% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: southern boundary with the United ArabEmirates has not been bilaterally defined; northern section in theMusandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary
======================================================================
@Pacific Ocean ——————-
Geography
Location: body of water between Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references: World
Area:total: 165.384 million sq kmnote: includes Bali Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, BeringStrait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulfof Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Savu Sea, Sea ofJapan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, Timor Sea, andother tributary water bodies
Area—comparative: about 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world
Coastline: 135,663 km
Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal—a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December
Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sandand gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs from Antarctica; cyclical El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peru, when the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial countercurrent moves south, killing the plankton that is the primary food source for anchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birds to starve by the thousands because of the loss of their food source; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May and in extreme south from May to October; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment—current issues: endangered marine species include thedugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oilpollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea
Environment—international agreements:party to: none of the selected agreementssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Government
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for hydrographic codes—see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes appendix
Economy
Economy—overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.
Communications
Telephone system:international: several submarine cables with network nodal points onGuam and Hawaii
Transportation
Ports and harbors: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung(Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (SouthKorea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China),Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington(NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
======================================================================
@Pakistan ————
Geography
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total: 803,940 sq kmland: 778,720 sq kmwater: 25,220 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 6,774 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912km, Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arcticin north
Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north andnorthwest; Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limitedpetroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use:arable land: 27%permanent crops: 1%permanent pastures: 6%forests and woodland: 5%other: 61% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 171,100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment—current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography—note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditionalinvasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People
Population: 138,123,359 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41% (male 29,423,876; female 27,763,774)15-64 years: 55% (male 38,533,918; female 36,804,592)65 years and over: 4% (male 2,768,942; female 2,828,257) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.18% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 33.51 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 10.45 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 91.86 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.38 years male: 58.49 years female: 60.3 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.73 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir(immigrants from India and their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu,and other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant)10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and mostgovernment ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 37.8%male: 50%female: 24.4% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistanconventional short form: Pakistanformer: West Pakistan
Data code: PK
Government type: federal republic
Capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered TribalAreas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab,Sindhnote: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu andKashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation ofthe republic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored withamendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates andreserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR (since 31 December1997)head of government: Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF (since 17February 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;election last held 31 December 1997 (next to be held no later than 1January 2003); following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually electedprime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002)election results: Mohammad Rafiq TARAR elected president; percent ofParliament and provincial vote—NA; Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF electedprime minister; percent of National Assembly vote—NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shooraconsists of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected byprovincial assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of themembers up for election every two years) and the National Assembly(217 seats—10 represent non-Muslims; members elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA March1999); National Assembly—last held 3 February 1997 (next to be heldNA February 2002)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; NationalAssembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PML/N 137, PPP18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1,independents 21, minorities 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed bythe president; Federal Islamic (Shari'a) Court
Political parties and leaders:government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/Nfrequently shifting: Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction orMilli Yakjheti Council or MYC is an umbrella organization whichUlema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction or JUI/S, Tehrik-I-JafriaNoorani faction or JUP/NOnote: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently;subsequent to the election Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehmangroup or JUI/F was disbanded
Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains importantpolitical force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, andsmall merchants also influential
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO,ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OAS (observer),OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz Hussain KHOKHAR chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William MILAM embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 consulate(s) general: Karachi consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar
Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
Economy—overview: Pakistan continues to suffer through a damaging foreign exchange crisis—stemming from years of loose fiscal policies that have exacerbated inflation and allowed public debt to explode. After accruing more than $1.5 billion in debt arrears in the first six months of FY98/99, Pakistani officials approached multilateral creditors requesting balance-of-payments relief and structural support. In January 1999, Islamabad received more than $1 billion in loans along with $3 billion in debt relief following the Finance Minister DAR's pledge to implement an economic reform program to reduce the budget deficit, deepen the financial sector, and broaden the industrial base. Although the economy has shown signs of improvement following implementation of some corrective measures, Prime Minister SHARIF—historically—has failed to implement the tough structural reforms necessary for sustained, longer-term growth. The government must also cope with long-standing economic vulnerabilities—inadequate infrastructure and low levels of literacy.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$270 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,000 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 24.2% industry: 26.4% services: 49.4% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 34% (1991 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 25.2% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (FY97/98)
Labor force: 37.8 million (1998) note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 47%, mining and manufacturing 17%, services 17%, other 19%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $10.8 billionexpenditures: $12 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY96/97)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, constructionmaterials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (FY97/98)
Electricity—production: 59.336 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 57.3% hydro: 42.13% nuclear: 0.57% other: 0% (1997)
Electricity—consumption: 59.336 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Exports: $8.5 billion (FY97/98)
Exports—commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets
Exports—partners: EU, US, Hong Kong, Japan
Imports: $10.1 billion (FY97/98)
Imports—commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals
Imports—partners: EU, Japan, US, China
Debt—external: $34 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $2 billion (FY97/98)
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1—46.000 (January 1999), 45.033 (1998), 41.086 (1997), 36.056 (1996), 31.623 (1995), 30.548 (1994); note—annual average of official rate; parallel market rate is higher
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 2.828 million (1998)
Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but improving;service is adequate for government and business use, in part becausemajor businesses have established their own private systems; since1988, the government has promoted investment in the nationaltelecommunications system on a priority basis, significantlyincreasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk andurban systems, telecommunication services are still not readilyavailable to the majority of the rural populationdomestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,cellular, and satelliteinternational: satellite earth stations—3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Oceanand 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges(1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay toneighboring countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 3, shortwave 18 (1998 est.)
Radios: 10.2 million (1998 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 22 (in addition, there are seven low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 2.08 million (1998 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 8,163 kmbroad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 kmdouble track)narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.)
Highways: total: 224,774 km paved: 128,121 km unpaved: 96,653 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987)
Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 384,304 GRT/619,668 DWTships by type: bulk 4, cargo 15, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1998est.)
Airports: 116 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 80 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 18 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 7 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces,National Guard
Military manpower—military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 33,496,712 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 20,519,762 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 1,553,310 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.48 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.4% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with India over the Indus River (Wular Barrage)
Illicit drugs: producer of illicit opium and hashish for the international drug trade (poppy cultivation in 1998—3,030 hectares, a 26% drop from 1997 because of eradication and alternative development); limited center for processing Afghan heroin; key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets; narcotics still move from Afghanistan into Baluchistan Province
======================================================================
@Palau ——-
Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 458 sq kmland: 458 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 12 nmextended fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous mainisland of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by largebarrier reefs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marineproducts, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment—current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal ofsolid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coraldredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Law of the Seasigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou(Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six islandgroups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
People
Population: 18,467 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27% (male 2,595; female 2,446)15-64 years: 68% (male 6,867; female 5,675)65 years and over: 5% (male 416; female 468) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.94% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.55 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.15 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.75 years male: 64.69 years female: 70.98 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian races
Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists,Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission,and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of thepopulation observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states),Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese(in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (inthe other 13 states)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92%male: 93%female: 90% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Palauconventional short form: Palaulocal long form: Beluu er a Belaulocal short form: Belauformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Data code: PS
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital: Korornote: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror
Administrative divisions: 18 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur,Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong,Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Palau Island,Peleliu, Sonsoral, Tobi
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UNTrusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) andVice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993)and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinetelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 11 November1996 (next to be held NA November 2000)election results: Kuniwo NAKAMURA reelected president; percent ofvote—Kuniwo NAKAMURA 64%, Chief Ibedul Yutuka GIBBONS 36%; Tommy E.REMENGESAU Jr. reelected vice president; percent of vote—Tommy E.REMENGESAU Jr. 69%, Kione ISECHAL 31%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau(OEK) consists of the Senate (14 seats; members elected by popularvote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the Houseof Delegates (16 seats—one from each state; members elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NANovember 2000); House of Delegates—last held 11 November 1996 (nextto be held NA November 2000)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—NA; House of Delegates—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of CommonPleas
Political parties and leaders: Palau Nationalist Party [PolycarpBASILIUS]
International organization participation: ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO,ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila); Charge d'Affaires Allen E. NUGENT embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The population enjoys a per capita income of more than twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$160 million (1997 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP—real growth rate: 10% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$8,800 (1997 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): NA%
Labor force: NA
Labor force—by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 7%
Budget:revenues: $52.9 millionexpenditures: $59.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)
Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), somecommercial fishing and agriculture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 200 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 85% hydro: 15% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 200 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Exports: $14.3 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts
Exports—partners: US, Japan
Imports: $72.4 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports—commodities: NA
Imports—partners: US
Debt—external: about $100 million (1989)
Economic aid—recipient: $155.8 million (1995); note?the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, will provide Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October—30 September
Communications
Telephones: 1,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km
Ports and harbors: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: NA
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Palmyra Atoll ——————-
Geography
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 11.9 sq kmland: 11.9 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 20 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 14.5 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain: very low
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 100%other: 0%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
People
Population: uninhabited
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Data code: LQ
Dependency status: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered from Washington, DC by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy
Economy—overview: no economic activity
Transportation
Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during WorldWar II are unserviceable and overgrown
Ports and harbors: West Lagoon
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)note: some overgrowth of vegetation on runway but still serviceable
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Panama ———
Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 78,200 sq kmland: 75,990 sq kmwater: 2,210 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season(May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected,upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp
Land use:arable land: 7%permanent crops: 2%permanent pastures: 20%forests and woodland: 44%other: 27% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography—note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmusforming land bridge connecting North and South America; controlsPanama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea withNorth Pacific Ocean
People
Population: 2,778,526 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 446,792; female 429,811)15-64 years: 63% (male 882,541; female 859,455)65 years and over: 5% (male 76,648; female 83,279) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.53% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.69 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.66 years male: 71.91 years female: 77.51 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.54 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%,Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90.8%male: 91.4%female: 90.2% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Panamaconventional short form: Panamalocal long form: Republica de Panamalocal short form: Panama
Data code: PM
Government type: constitutional republic
Capital: Panama
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular—provincia) and 2 territories* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, Veraguas, and a new, as yet unnamed territory* or comarca created 7 March 1997 when President PEREZ BALLADARES signed a bill designating a reserve stretched across three provinces
Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (since 1September 1994); First Vice President Tomas ALTAMIRANO Duque (since1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe VIRZI (since 1September 1994); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (since 1September 1994); First Vice President Tomas ALTAMIRANO Duque (since1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe VIRZI (since 1September 1994); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 8 May 1994(next to be held 2 May 1999)election results: Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES elected president;percent of vote—Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya MOSCOSODE GRUBER (PA) 29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES(MOLIRENA) 16%