Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3.7 million (1996 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: generally adequate integrated network of coaxial cables,open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earthstationsinternational: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations—3Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat;tropospheric scatter to Azores; note—an earth station for Inmarsat(Atlantic Ocean region) is planned
Radio broadcast stations: AM 57, FM 66 (repeaters 22), shortwave 0
Radios: 2.2 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 36 (in addition, there are 62 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 2,970,892 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 3,072 kmbroad gauge: 2,769 km 1.668-m gauge (528 km electrified; 426 kmdouble track)narrow gauge: 303 km 1.000-m gauge (1996)
Highways:total: 68,732 kmpaved: 59,110 km (including 687 km of expressways)unpaved: 9,622 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to nationaleconomy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton cargocapacity
Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km; natural gas700 kmnote: the secondary lines for the natural gas pipeline that will be300 km long have not yet been built
Ports and harbors: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta(Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia daVitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo
Merchant marine:total: 132 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 894,640 GRT/1,366,955DWTships by type: bulk 13, cargo 72, chemical tanker 14, container 7,liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 1,roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 4, vehicle carrier 2note: Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira forPortuguese-owned ships; ships on the Madeira Register (MAR) willhave taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience (1998est.)
Airports: 66 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 25 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force,National Republican Guard
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,542,188 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,042,730 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 73,405 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.458 billion (1997)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.6% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: as former colonial power, Portugal plays a key role in the issue of Indonesia's sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor Province), which has not been recognized by the UN
Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
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@Puerto Rico —————-
Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 9,104 sq kmland: 8,959 sq kmwater: 145 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than three times the size ofRhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north;mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along mostcoastal areas
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshoreand offshore oil
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 5%permanent pastures: 26%forests and woodland: 16%other: 49% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment—current issues: erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: important location along the Mona Passage?a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
People
Population: 3,887,652 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (male 482,111; female 459,940)15-64 years: 65% (male 1,220,682; female 1,323,787)65 years and over: 11% (male 173,133; female 227,999) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.59% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 15.9 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.87 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.93 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.79 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.06 years male: 70.95 years female: 79.41 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groups: Hispanic
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant denominations and other 15%
Languages: Spanish, English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 89%male: 90%female: 88% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Ricoconventional short form: Puerto Rico
Data code: RQ
Dependency status: commonwealth associated with the US
Government type: commonwealth
Capital: San Juan
Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with theUS); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined bythe US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios,singular—municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada,Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo,Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy,Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo,Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica,Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros,Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, LasMarias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo,Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas,Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande,Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, SantaIsabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, VegaBaja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
Legal system: based on Spanish civil code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants areUS citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON of the US (since20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January1993)head of government: Governor Pedro ROSSELLO (since 2 January 1993)cabinet: NAelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for afour-year term; election last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held7 November 2000)election results: Pedro ROSSELLO reelected governor; percent ofvote—51.1%
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists ofthe Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular voteto serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 7November 2000); House of Representatives—last held 5 November 1996(next to be held 7 November 2000)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—PNP 19, PPD 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives—percent of voteby party—NA; seats by party—PNP 37, PPD 16, PIP 1note: Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the USHouse of Representatives; elections last held 5 November 1996 (nextto be held 7 November 2000); results—percent of vote by party—NA;seats by party—PNP 1 (Carlos Romero BARCELO)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate); Superior Courts (justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate); Municipal Courts (justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)
Political parties and leaders: National Republican Party of
Political pressure groups and leaders: Armed Forces for NationalLiberation or FALN; Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution;Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Armed Forces ofPopular Resistance
International organization participation: Caricom (observer),ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau),IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (commonwealthassociated with the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (commonwealthassociated with the US)
Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design based on the US flag
Economy
Economy—overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 4 million tourists in 1993. Construction and tourism were the leading sectors in economic growth in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$34.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.1% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$9,000 (1998 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): 5.7% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.3 million (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: government 19%, manufacturing 13%, trade 17%, construction 5%, other 32%, unemployed 14% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 13% (FY96/97 est.)
Budget:revenues: $6.7 billionexpenditures: $9.6 billion (FY 1999/2000
Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products;tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)
Electricity—production: 18.3 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 98.36% hydro: 1.64% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 18.3 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens
Exports: $30.3 billion (f.o.b. 1998)
Exports—commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment
Exports—partners: US 88% (1997 est.)
Imports: $21.8 billion (c.i.f. 1996)
Imports—commodities: chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
Imports—partners: US 62% (1997 est.)
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 1.389 million (1996 est.)
Telephone system: modern system, integrated with that of the USby high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed datacapabilitydomestic: digital telephone system with about 1 million lines (1990est.); cellular telephone serviceinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat; submarine cableto US
Radio broadcast stations: AM 50, FM 63, shortwave 0note: there were 118 radio stations in 1995
Radios: 2.6 million (1994 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18 (in addition, there are three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997)
Televisions: 973,000 (1994 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 96 kmnarrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system forhauling sugarcane; no passenger service
Highways:total: 14,400 kmpaved: 14,400 kmunpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce,San Juan
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 30 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Qatar ——-
Geography
Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf andSaudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total: 11,437 sq kmland: 11,437 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline: 563 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: 5%forests and woodland: NA%other: 94% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 80 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment—current issues: limited natural fresh water resourcesare increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography—note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf nearmajor petroleum deposits
People
Population: 723,542 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27% (male 99,232; female 95,421)15-64 years: 71% (male 367,213; female 145,925)65 years and over: 2% (male 11,047; female 4,704) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.62% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 16.75 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 3.57 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 23.03 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: 2.52 male(s)/female65 years and over: 2.35 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.25 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.23 years male: 71.7 years female: 76.89 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.42 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions: Muslim 95%
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a secondlanguage
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 79.4%male: 79.2%female: 79.9% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: State of Qatarconventional short form: Qatarlocal long form: Dawlat Qatarlocal short form: Qatarnote: closest approximation of the native pronunciation fallsbetween cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
Data code: QA
Government type: traditional monarchy
Capital: Doha
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat,singular—baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, AlKhawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal,Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972
Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin HamadAl Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince JASSIM bin Hamad binKhalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince bythe monarch 22 October 1996); note—Amir HAMAD also holds thepositions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armedforceshead of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani,brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy PrimeMinister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch(since 20 January 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed by the monarch) note: the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW,OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Saad Muhammad al-KUBAYSI chancery: Suite 200, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth MCKUNE embassy: 149 Ahmed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the television station), Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha note: work week is Saturday-Wednesday
Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 70% of export earnings, and 66% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the economy. Lower world oil prices brought GDP down in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$12 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -3% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$17,100 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 49% services: 50% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1996)
Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $3.4 billionexpenditures: $4.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $700million (FY98/99 budget est.)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
Industrial production growth rate: -4% (1995)
Electricity—production: 5.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 5.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Exports: $5.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel
Exports—partners: Japan 49%, Singapore 12%, South Korea 12%,Thailand 4%, US 3% (1997)
Imports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods,food, chemicals
Imports—partners: UK 25%, France 13%, Japan 10%, US 9%, Italy 6%(1997)
Debt—external: $11 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
Exchange rates: Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1—3.6400 riyals (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 160,717 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: modern system centered in Dohadomestic: NAinternational: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radiorelay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE;satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 IndianOcean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 201,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (in addition, there are three repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 205,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,230 km paved: 1,107 km unpaved: 123 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports and harbors: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id
Merchant marine:total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 713,014 GRT/1,112,829DWTships by type: cargo 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 5, oiltanker 5 (1998 est.)
Airports: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 301,451 (1999 est.) note: includes non-nationals
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 158,114 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 6,125 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $940 million (FY98/99)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 9.6% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands and maritime boundary dispute with Bahrain currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ); in 1996, agreed with Saudi Arabia to demarcate border per 1992 accord; that process is ongoing
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@Reunion ———-
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references: World
Area:total: 2,510 sq kmland: 2,500 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 201 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cooland dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands alongcoast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use:arable land: 17%permanent crops: 2%permanent pastures: 5%forests and woodland: 35%other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
People
Population: 717,723 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 118,401; female 112,878)15-64 years: 62% (male 218,952; female 225,292)65 years and over: 6% (male 17,506; female 24,694) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.75% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 22.16 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.64 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: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.73 years male: 72.69 years female: 78.93 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)adjective: Reunionese
Ethnic groups: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani,Indian
Religions: Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Islam, Buddhist (1995)
Languages: French (official), Creole widely used
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 79%male: 76%female: 80% (1982 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Department of Reunionconventional short form: Reunionlocal long form: nonelocal short form: Ile de la Reunion
Data code: RE
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
Capital: Saint-Denis
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995), represented by Prefect Robert POMMIES (since NA 1996)head of government: President of the General Council ChristophePAYET (since 4 April 1994) and President of the Regional CouncilMargarite SUDRE (since 25 June 1993)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (47 seats; membersare elected by direct popular vote to serve six-year terms) andunicameral Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by directpopular vote to serve six-year terms)elections: General Council—last held NA March 1994 (next to be heldNA 2000); Regional Council—last held 25 June 1993 (next to be heldNA 1999)election results: General Council—percent of vote by party—NA; seatsby party—PCR 12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7; RegionalCouncil—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—UPF 17, Free-DomMovement 13, PCR 9, PS 6note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate;elections last held 14 April 1996 (next to be held NA);results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 1, PCR 2;Reunion also elects five deputies to the French National Assembly;elections last held 25 May and 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA2002);results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PCR 3, PS 1, andRPR-UDF 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic or RPR
International organization participation: FZ, InOC, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas departmentof France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which recently amounted to one-third of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas indigenous groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$3.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,800 (1998 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: 261,000 (1995)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 8%, industry 19%, services 73% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 35% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $856.7 millionexpenditures: $2.2437 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993)
Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oilextraction
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 1.1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 54.55% hydro: 45.45% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 1.1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables, corn
Exports: $171.78 million (f.o.b., 1994)
Exports—commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster 3%, (1993)
Exports—partners: France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (1994)
Imports: $2.35 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
Imports—commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products
Imports—partners: France 67%, Bahrain 4%, Italy 3% (1994)
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA; note?substantial annual subsidies from France
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1—5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 219,000 (1995)
Telephone system: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis domestic: modern open wire and microwave radio relay network international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: 158,000 (1994)
Television broadcast stations: 22 (in addition, there are 18 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 116,181 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,784 km paved: 2,187 km unpaved: 597 km (1987 est.)
Ports and harbors: Le Port, Pointe des Galets
Merchant marine:total: 1 chemical tanker (l,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,264GRT/44,885 DWT (1998 est.)
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, andGendarmerie)
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 185,800 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 95,068 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 5,902 (1999 est.)
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Romania ———-
Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, betweenBulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 237,500 sq kmland: 230,340 sq kmwater: 7,160 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:total: 2,508 kmborder countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,Serbia and Montenegro 476 km (all with Serbia), Ukraine (north) 362km, Ukraine (east) 169 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow andfog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plainof Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separatedfrom the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Black Sea 0 mhighest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber,natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt
Land use:arable land: 41%permanent crops: 3%permanent pastures: 21%forests and woodland: 29%other: 6% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 31,020 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: earthquakes most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Environment—current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
Environment—international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol
Geography—note: controls most easily traversable land routebetween the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
People
Population: 22,334,312 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (male 2,117,289; female 2,027,940)15-64 years: 68% (male 7,563,695; female 7,663,491)65 years and over: 13% (male 1,234,760; female 1,727,137) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.23% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 10.09 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 11.55 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.12 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.83 years male: 67.05 years female: 74.81 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian
Ethnic groups: Romanian 89.1%, Hungarian 8.9%, German 0.4%,Ukrainian, Serb, Croat, Russian, Turk, and Gypsy 1.6%
Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 6% (of which 3%are Uniate), Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 18%
Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 98%female: 95% (1992 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania
Data code: RO
Government type: republic
Capital: Bucharest
Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular—judet)and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor,Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau,Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj,Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi,Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December1947)
National holiday: National Day of Romania, 1 December (1990)
Constitution: 8 December 1991
Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Emil CONSTANTINESCU (since 29 November1996)head of government: Prime Minister Radu VASILE (since 17 April 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 3 November 1996, with runoff between the top twocandidates held 17 November 1996 (next to be held NANovember/December 2000); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: percent of vote—Emil CONSTANTINESCU 54.4%, IonILIESCU 45.6%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists ofthe Senate or Senat (143 seats; members are elected by directpopular vote on a proportional representation basis to servefour-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor(343 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote on aproportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 3 November 1996 (next to be held NA2000); Chamber of Deputies—last held 3 November 1996 (next to beheld NA 2000)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—CDR 30.7%, PDSR23.1%, USD 13.2%, UDMR 6.8%, PRM 4.5%, PUNR 4.2%, others 17.5%;seats by party—CDR 53, PDSR 41, USD 23, UDMR 11, PRM 8, PUNR 7;Chamber of Deputies—percent of vote by party—CDR 30.2%, PDSR 21.5%,USD 12.9%, UDMR 6.6% PRM 4.5%, PUNR 4.4%, others 19.9%; seats byparty—CDR 122, PDSR 91, USD 53, UDMR 25, PRM 19, PUNR 18, ethnicminorities 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice, judges are appointedby the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council ofMagistrates
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or PD [Petre DIACONESCU]; Romania Mare Party (Greater Romanian Party) or PRM note: to increase their voting strength several of the above-mentioned parties united under umbrella organizations: PNTCD, PNL, and PNL-CD form the bulk of the Democratic Convention or CDR other small parties failed to gain representation in the most recent election
Political pressure groups and leaders: various human rights andprofessional associations
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC,CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer),MONUA, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner),WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mircea Dan GEOANA chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James C. ROSAPEPE embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) branch office: Cluj-Napoca
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of Andorra and Chad
Economy
Economy—overview: After the collapse of the Soviet Bloc in 1989-91, Romania was left with an obsolete industrial base and a pattern of industrial capacity wholly unsuited to its needs. In February 1997, Romania embarked on a comprehensive macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform program, but reform subsequently has been a stop-and-go process. Restructuring programs include liquidating large energy-intensive industries and major agricultural and financial sector reforms. Today, Romania is continuing its difficult transition to a market-based economy. GDP contracted by an estimated 7.3% in 1998 after a 6.6% decline in 1997. Tight monetary policy and slower exchange rate depreciation earlier in 1998 helped lower inflation to an estimated 41% from 152% in 1997. The large current account deficit and concerns about meeting debt payments in 1999 contributed to increased pressure on the exchange rate towards the end of 1998. Replacing the IMF standby agreement (suspended because of lack of progress on structural reforms), servicing large debt payments, and bringing the budget under control are key priorities for 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$90.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -7.3% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,050 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 41% services: 40% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 21.5% (1994 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 20.2% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 10.1 million (1996 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: NA%
Unemployment rate: 9% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $10 billionexpenditures: $11.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.3billion (1997 est.)
Industries: mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, machine building, food processing, petroleum production and refining
Industrial production growth rate: -17% (1998 est.)
Electricity—production: 59.245 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 72.11% hydro: 26.35% nuclear: 1.54% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 60.045 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 800 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; milk, eggs, beef
Exports: $8.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: textiles and footwear 23%, metals and metalproducts 18%, machinery and equipment 9%, chemicals 7% (1997)
Exports—partners: Italy 20%, Germany 17%, France 6%, Turkey 4%(1997)
Imports: $10.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment 23%, fuels andminerals 19%, chemicals 8%, foodstuffs (1997)
Imports—partners: Germany 16%, Italy 16%, Russia 12%, France 6%(1997)
Debt—external: $10 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $510.1 million (1995)
Currency: 1 leu (L) = 100 bani
Exchange rates: lei (L) per US$1—11,353.6 (January 1999), 8,875.6 (1998), 7,167.9 (1997), 3,084.2 (1996), 2,033.3 (1995), 1,655.1 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2.6 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: poor service; 89% of telephone network is automatic; trunknetwork is microwave radio relay; roughly 3,300 villages with noservice (February 1990 est.)international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat; new digitalinternational direct-dial exchanges are in Bucharest (1993 est.)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 5, shortwave 0note: in 1995, 135 local radio stations were registered
Radios: 4.64 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 130 (in addition, there are about 400 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 4.58 million (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 11,376 kmbroad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gaugestandard gauge: 10,889 km 1.435-m gauge (3,723 km electrified; 3,060km double track)narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (1994)
Highways:total: 153,358 kmpaved: 78,213 km (including 113 km of expressways)unpaved: 75,145 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,724 km (1984)