Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or AsambleaLegislativa (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 2 May 1999)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PRD32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14, MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA 3, PRC 3, PLN 2, PDC1, UDI 1, MORENA 1note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on aplurality basis while districts located in more populous towns andcities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-basedformula
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJusticia), nine judges appointed for 10-year terms; five superiorcourts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; National Civic Crusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation: CAN (associate), CCC,ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Eloy ALFARO de Albachancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Simon FERROembassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
Flag description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the topquadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star inthe center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoistside) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy
Economy—overview: Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. Since taking office in 1994, President PEREZ BALLADARES has advanced an economic reform program designed to liberalize the trade regime, attract foreign investment, privatize state-owned enterprises, institute fiscal reform, and encourage job creation through labor code reform. The government privatized its two remaining ports along the Panama Canal in 1997 and approved the sale of the railroad in early 1998. It also plans to sell other assets, including the electric company. Panama joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) and approved a tariff reduction that will give the country the lowest average tariff rates in Latin America. A banking reform law was approved by the legislature in early 1998. The most important sectors driving growth have been the Panama Canal and other shipping and port activities.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$19.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.7% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$7,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 18% services: 74% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 42.5% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1998)
Labor force: 1.044 million (1997 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Labor force—by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture, hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%, manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3%
Unemployment rate: 13.1% (1997 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.4 billionexpenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $341million (1997 est.)
Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement andother construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)
Electricity—production: 3.55 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 29.58% hydro: 70.42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 3.488 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 157 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 95 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Exports: $6.68 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2%
Exports—partners: US 37%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Imports: $7.38 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports—partners: US 48%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
Debt—external: $7.26 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $197.1 million (1995)
Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1—1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 273,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic and international facilities welldevelopeddomestic: NAinternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations—2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central AmericanMicrowave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 564,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9 (in addition, there are 17 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 420,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 355 kmbroad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gaugenarrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:total: 11,100 kmpaved: 3,730 km (including 30 km of expressways)unpaved: 7,370 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 kmPanama Canal
Pipelines: crude oil 130 km
Ports and harbors: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (partof Colon area), Vacamonte
Merchant marine:total: 4,632 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 98,433,972GRT/149,800,820 DWTships by type: bulk 1,335, cargo 1,028, chemical tanker 288,combination bulk 68, combination ore/oil 15, container 507,liquefied gas tanker 176, livestock carrier 9, multifunctionlarge-load carrier 6, oil tanker 498, passenger 41, passenger-cargo5, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 312, roll-on/roll-off cargo102, short-sea passenger 40, specialized tanker 23, vehicle carrier177note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 71countries among which are Japan 1,262, Greece 378, Hong Kong 244,South Korea 259, Taiwan 229, China 193, Singapore 103, US 116,Switzerland 78, and Indonesia 53 (1998 est.)
Airports: 110 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 43 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 22 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 67 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 50 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: an amendment to the Constitution abolished thearmed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian PublicForces or PPF includes the National Police, National MaritimeService, and National Air Service)
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 746,910 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 511,866 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $132 million (1997)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.6% (1997)
Military—note: in October 1994, a month after President PEREZ BALLADARES assumed office, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of a "special police force" to counter acts of "external aggression"
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug-money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving
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@Papua New Guinea ————————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 462,840 sq kmland: 452,860 sq kmwater: 9,980 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber,oil, fisheries
Land use:arable land: 0.1%permanent crops: 1%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 92.9%other: 6% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific"Rim of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimessevere earthquakes; mud slides
Environment—current issues: rain forest subject to deforestationas a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber;pollution from mining projects; severe drought
Environment—international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
People
Population: 4,705,126 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 39% (male 951,532; female 902,841)15-64 years: 58% (male 1,411,053; female 1,298,937)65 years and over: 3% (male 64,101; female 76,662) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.26% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 32.04 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.47 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: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 55.58 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.47 years male: 57.58 years female: 59.4 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.17 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian,Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestantsects 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%
Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread,Motu spoken in Papua regionnote: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 72.2%male: 81%female: 62.7% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guineaconventional short form: Papua New Guineaabbreviation: PNG
Data code: PP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port Moresby
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central,Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf,Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland,Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands,West New Britain
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administeredUN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: 16 September 1975
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since 13 November1997)head of government: Prime Minister Bill SKATE (since 22 July 1997);Deputy Prime Minister Iairo LASARO (since 20 October 1998)cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governorgeneral on the recommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister anddeputy prime minister appointed by the governor general for up tofive years on the basis of majority support in National Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament—sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats—89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002) election results: percent of vote by party—PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party—PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note—association with political parties is very fluid
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice, other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission
Political parties and leaders: Bougainville Unity Alliance or BUAMUMURIK]
International organization participation: ACP, APEC, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nagora Y. BOGAN chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Arma Jane KARAERembassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresbymailing address: P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby
Flag description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-sidecorner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird ofparadise centered; the lower triangle is black with five whitefive-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Economy
Economy—overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for the bulk of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy. In 1995, Port Moresby reached agreement with the IMF and World Bank on a structural adjustment program, of which the first phase was successfully completed in 1996. In 1997, droughts caused by the El Nino weather pattern wreaked havoc on Papua New Guinea's coffee, cocoa, and coconut production, the mainstays of the agricultural-based economy and major sources of export earnings. The coffee crop was slashed by up to 50% in 1997. Despite problems with drought, the year 1998 saw a small recovery in GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$11.1 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,400 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 28.2% industry: 34.5% services: 37.3% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (FY97/98 est.)
Labor force: 1.941 million
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 64% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $1.5 billionexpenditures: $1.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)
Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 1.7 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 70.59% hydro: 29.41% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 1.7 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork
Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: gold, copper ore, oil, logs, palm oil,coffee, cocoa, crayfish and prawns
Exports—partners: Australia, Japan, Germany, UK, South Korea,China
Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment,manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Imports—partners: Australia, Singapore, Japan, US, New Zealand,Malaysia
Debt—external: $3.2 billion (1995)
Economic aid—recipient: $376.3 million (1995)
Currency: 1 kina (K) = 100 toea
Exchange rates: kina (K) per US$1—0.47 (December 1998), 0.6975 (1997), 0.7588 (1996), 0.7835 (1995), 0.9950 (1994); note—the government floated the kina on 10 October 1994
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 63,212 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: mostly radiotelephone international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service
Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 298,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (1997)
Televisions: 10,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 10,940 km
Ports and harbors: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,400 GRT/50,869 DWTships by type: bulk 2, cargo 6, chemical tanker 1, combinationore/oil 5, container 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 3 (1998 est.)
Airports: 492 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 473 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 400 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includesGround, Naval, and Air Forces, and Special Forces Unit)
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,238,683 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 687,978 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $41.5 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Paracel Islands ———————-
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total: NA sq kmland: NA sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: typhoons
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Data code: PF
Economy
Economy—overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Transportation
Ports and harbors: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: occupied by China
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
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@Paraguay ————
Geography
Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:total: 406,750 sq kmland: 397,300 sq kmwater: 9,450 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay;Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain nearthe river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Elevation extremes:lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 mhighest point: Cerro San Rafael 850 m
Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese,limestone
Land use:arable land: 6%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 55%forests and woodland: 32%other: 7% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September toJune); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment—current issues: deforestation (an estimated 2 millionhectares of forest land have been lost from 1958-85); waterpollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risksfor many urban residents
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, NuclearTest Ban
Geography—note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, andBrazil
People
Population: 5,434,095 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 39% (male 1,086,107; female 1,049,833)15-64 years: 56% (male 1,528,127; female 1,517,213)65 years and over: 5% (male 116,761; female 136,054) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.65% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 31.87 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.09 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 36.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.43 years male: 70.47 years female: 74.49 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.22 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, whiteplus Amerindian 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestantdenominations
Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.1%male: 93.5%female: 90.6% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Paraguayconventional short form: Paraguaylocal long form: Republica del Paraguaylocal short form: Paraguay
Data code: PA
Government type: republic
Capital: Asuncion
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos,singular—departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay,Asuncion, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central,Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu,Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)
Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60
Executive branch:chief of state: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March1999); note—the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March1999); note—the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 10 May 1998(next to be held NA May 2003)election results: Raul CUBAS Grau elected president; percent ofvote—55.3%; resigned 28 March 1999note: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi, formerly president of theChamber of Senators, constitutionally succeeded President Raul CUBASGrau, who resigned following the assassination of Vice PresidentLuis Maria ARGANA; the successor to ARGANA will be decided in anelection to be held in late 1999
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists ofthe Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and theChamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: Chamber of Senators—last held 10 May 1998 (next to beheld NA May 2003); Chamber of Deputies—last held 10 May 1998 (nextto be held NA May 2003)election results: Chamber of Senators—percent of vote by party—NA;seats by party—Colorado Party 24, PLRA/PEN 20, other 1; Chamber ofDeputies—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Colorado Party45, PLRA/PEN 35
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJusticia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel ofMagistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders: National RepublicanMaria LJUBETIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Unitary Workers Central orCUT; Roman Catholic Church; National Workers Central or CNT;Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT
International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77,IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU,LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Maura A. HARTYembassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncionmailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
Flag description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy
Economy—overview: Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods (electronics, whiskeys, perfumes, cigarettes, and office equipment) to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. The formal sector is largely oriented toward services. A large percentage of the population derive their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy has grown an average of about 3% over the past six years, but GDP declined in 1998. However, population has increased at about the same rate over the same period, leaving per capita income nearly stagnant. The new government of Raul CUBAS Grau was pursuing an economic reform agenda, albeit with limited success because of in-fighting in the ruling party and resistance from the opposition.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$19.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -0.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,700 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 30% services: 43% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 21.8% (1991 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 46.6% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.6% (1998)
Labor force: 1.8 million (1995 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate: 8.2% (urban) (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.25 billionexpenditures: $1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $357million (1995 est.)
Industries: meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing,textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 5.1% (1995)
Electricity—production: 45.03 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 0.07% hydro: 99.93% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 4.768 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 40.262 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils,meat products, coffee, tung oil
Exports—partners: Brazil 48%, Netherlands 22%, Argentina 9%, US4%, Uruguay 3%, Chile 2% (1997)
Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
Imports—commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, foodstuffs,raw materials, fuels
Imports—partners: Brazil 29%, US 22%, Argentina 14%, Hong Kong 9%(1995)
Debt—external: $1.3 billion (1996)
Economic aid—recipient: $180.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: guaranies (G) per US$—2,866.3 (January 1999), 2,755.7 (1998), 2,191.0 (1997), 2,062.8 (1996), 1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 88,730 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: meager telephone service; principal switchingcenter is Asunciondomestic: fair microwave radio relay networkinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 40, FM 0, shortwave 7
Radios: 775,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10 (1997)
Televisions: 370,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 971 kmstandard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gaugenote: there are 470 km of various gauges that are privately owned
Highways: total: 29,500 km paved: 2,803 km unpaved: 26,697 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 3,100 km
Ports and harbors: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,287 GRT/32,510 DWTships by type: cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 4,roll-on/roll-off 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 941 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 931 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 29 914 to 1,523 m: 349 under 914 m: 552 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines),Air Force
Military manpower—military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,311,382 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 947,347 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 55,065 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $125 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.4% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transshipment country for Bolivian cocaine headed for Europe and the US
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@Peru ——
Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the South PacificOcean, between Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:total: 1,285,220 sq kmland: 1.28 million sq kmwater: 5,220 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:total: 6,940 kmborder countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,414 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west
Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish,iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 21%forests and woodland: 66%other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 12,800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
Environment—current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
Environment—international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia
People
Population: 26,624,582 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 4,786,048; female 4,637,280)15-64 years: 60% (male 8,045,747; female 7,939,760)65 years and over: 5% (male 557,252; female 658,495) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.93% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.09 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.13 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.38 years male: 68.08 years female: 72.78 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.23 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 88.7%male: 94.5%female: 83% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Peruconventional short form: Perulocal long form: Republica del Perulocal short form: Peru
Data code: PE
Government type: republic
Capital: Lima
Administrative divisions: 24 departments (departamentos, singular—departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note: the 1979 constitution mandated the creation of regions (regiones, singular—region) to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 of the 24 departments—Amazonas (from Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate funding from the central government and organizational and political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities; the 1993 constitution retains the regions but limits their authority; the 1993 constitution also reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal governments
Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution: 31 December 1993
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28July 1990); note—the president is both the chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since28 July 1990); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentnote: Prime Minister Victor JOYWAY (since 4 January 1999) does notexercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)election results: President FUJIMORI reelected; percent ofvote—Alberto FUJIMORI 64.42%, Javier PEREZ de CUELLAR 21.80%,Mercedes CABANILLAS 4.11%, other 9.67%
Legislative branch: unicameral Democratic Constituent Congress or Congresso Constituyente Democratico (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000) election results: percent of vote by party—C90/NM 52.1%, UPP 14%, other parties 33.9%; seats by party—C90/NM 67, UPP 17, APRA 8, FIM 6, CODE-Pais Posible 5, AP 4, PPC 3, Renovation 3, IU 2, OBRAS 2, other parties 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJusticia), judges are appointed by the National Council of theJudiciary
Political parties and leaders: Change 90-New Majority or C90/NM
Political pressure groups and leaders: leftist guerrilla groupsRAMIREZ Durand (top leader at-large)]; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary(top leader at-large)]
International organization participation: APEC, CAN, CCC, ECLAC,FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA,NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo V. LUNA MENDOZAchancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, NewYork, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis C. JETTembassy: Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico, Limamailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),APO AA 34031-5000
Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoistside), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the whiteband; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchonatree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling outgold coins, all framed by a green wreath
Economy
Economy—overview: The Peruvian economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major privatizations completed since 1990 in the mining, electricity, and telecommunications industries. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office in July 1990 contributed to a short-lived contraction of economic activity, but the slide came to a halt late that year, and in 1991 output rose 2.4%. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP fell by 2.8%, in part because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop in the fish catch, but the economy rebounded as strong foreign investment helped push growth to 7% in 1993, about 13% in 1994, and 6.8% in 1995. Growth slowed to 2.8% in 1996 as the government adopted tight fiscal and monetary policy to reduce the current account deficit and meet its IMF targets. Growth then rebounded to 7.3% in 1997 even as inflation fell to its lowest level in 23 years. Capital inflows surged to record levels in early 1997 and have remained strong. In 1998, El Nino's impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. While Lima publicly projects a rebound to 5% in 1999, private sector analysts believe this figure is overly optimistic.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$111.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 1.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 37% services: 56% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 54% (1991 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 34.3% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 7.6 million (1996 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services
Unemployment rate: 8.2%; extensive underemployment (1996)
Budget:revenues: $8.5 billionexpenditures: $9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2billion (1996 est.)
Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (1996)
Electricity—production: 16.211 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 19.25% hydro: 80.75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 16.211 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Exports: $6.8 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: copper, zinc, fishmeal, crude petroleum andbyproducts, lead, refined silver, coffee, cotton
Exports—partners: US 20%, Japan 7%, UK 7%, China 7%, Germany 5%(1996)
Imports: $10.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports—partners: US 31%, Colombia 7%, Chile 6%, Venezuela 6%, UK6% (1996)
Debt—external: $25.7 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $895.1 million (1995)
Currency: 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1—3.250 (January 1999), 2.930 (1998), 2.664 (1997), 2.453 (1996), 2.253 (1995), 2.195 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 779,306 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: adequate for most requirements domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 273, FM 0, shortwave 144
Radios: 5.7 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 13 (in addition, there are 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 2,041 kmstandard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 315 km 0.914-m gauge (1997)
Highways:total: 72,146 kmpaved: 7,353 kmunpaved: 64,793 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and208 km of Lago Titicaca
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids64 km
Ports and harbors: Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, PuertoMaldonado, Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa,Yurimaguasnote: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reachesof the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,518 GRT/75,018 DWTships by type: cargo 6, oil tanker 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 244 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 44over 3,047 m: 72,438 to 3,047 m: 151,524 to 2,437 m: 12914 to 1,523 m: 8under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 200over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 24914 to 1,523 m: 73under 914 m: 99 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina deGuerra del Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), AirForce (Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police