Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic
Languages: English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 98% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevisconventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevisformer: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
Data code: SC
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Basseterre
Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Christ Church NicholaTown, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint GeorgeGingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint JohnFigtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint PaulCharlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, SaintThomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Constitution: 19 September 1983
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 Dr. Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN(since 1 January 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultationwith the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition isusually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (14 seats, 11popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members servefive-year terms)elections: last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held by July 2000)election results: percent of vote by party—SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seatsby party—SKNLP 7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on SaintLucia) (one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts)
Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement or PAM
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Edwards ERSTEINchancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interests are monitored by theembassy in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking activity have assumed larger roles. Most food is imported. The government has undertaken a program designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social programs. In 1997 some leaders in Nevis were urging separation from Saint Kitts on the basis that Nevis was paying far more in taxes than it was receiving in government services, but the vote on cessation failed in August 1998. In late September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused approximately $445 million in damages.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$235 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 6.3% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,000 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 5.5% industry: 22.5% services: 72% (1996)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.3% (1997)
Labor force: 18,172 (June 1995)
Labor force—by occupation: services 69%, manufacturing 31%
Unemployment rate: 4% (1997 est.)
Budget:revenues: $64.1 millionexpenditures: $73.3 million, including capital expenditures of $10.4million (1997 est.)
Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra,clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 81 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 81 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish
Exports: $43.7 million (1997)
Exports—commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages andtobacco
Exports—partners: US 68.5%, UK 22.3%, Caricom nations 5.5% (1995est.)
Imports: $129.6 million (1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
Imports—partners: US 42.4%, Caricom nations 17.2%, UK 11.3% (1995 est.)
Debt—external: $56 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $5.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1—2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3,800 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) domestic: interisland links are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to Antigua and Barbuda and from there switched to submarine cable or to Intelsat, or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 25,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are three repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 9,500 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 58 kmnarrow gauge: 58 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcaneplantations (1995)
Highways:total: 320 kmpaved: 136 kmunpaved: 184 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Basseterre, Charlestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force,Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment points for South American drugs destined for the US
======================================================================
@Saint Lucia —————-
Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and NorthAtlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 620 sq kmland: 610 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area—comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 158 km
Maritime claims: 200 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August
Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice),mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use:arable land: 8%permanent crops: 21%permanent pastures: 5%forests and woodland: 13%other: 53% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
Population: 154,020 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33% (male 26,068; female 25,359)15-64 years: 61% (male 46,265; female 48,100)65 years and over: 6% (male 3,097; female 5,131) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.09% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.63 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.58 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 16.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.81 years male: 68.14 years female: 75.74 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.27 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic groups: black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 67%male: 65%female: 69% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Data code: ST
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Castries
Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries,Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin,Soufriere, Vieux Fort
Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution: 22 February 1979
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 Dr. Perlette LOUISY (since September1997)head of government: Prime Minister Kenny ANTHONY (since 24 May 1997)and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition isusually appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate(an 11-member body, six appointed on the advice of the primeminister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, andtwo after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups)and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popularvote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Assembly—last held 23 May 1997 (next to be heldNA 2002)election results: House of Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA;seats by party—SLP 16, UWP 1
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdictionextends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British VirginIslands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, SaintLucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Political parties and leaders: United Workers Party or UWP
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP,C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires JulietElaine MALLET PHILLIPchancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Saint Lucia; the Ambassador to Saint Lucia resides inBridgetown (Barbados)
Flag description: blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below ablack arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic droughts and tropical storms. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia's need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by further expanding tourism, manufacturing, and construction. In 1997, strong activity in tourism and other service sectors offset the contraction in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Improvement in the construction sector and growth of the tourism industry was expected to expand GDP in 1998. The agriculture sector registered its fifth year of decline in 1997 primarily because of a severe decline in banana production.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$625 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.2% (1997)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,100 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 10.7% industry: 32.3% services: 57% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (1997)
Labor force: 43,800
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $141.2 millionexpenditures: $146.7 million, including capital expenditures of$25.1 million (FY97/98 est.)
Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate: -8.9% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 110 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 110 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Exports: $70.1 million (1997)
Exports—commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil
Exports—partners: UK 50%, US 24%, Caricom countries 16% (1995)
Imports: $292.4 million (1997)
Imports—commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machineryand transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels
Imports—partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 22%, UK 11%, Japan5%, Canada 4% (1995)
Debt—external: $159 million (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $51.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1—2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: system is automatically switchedinternational: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique andSaint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados;international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsatfrom Martinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 104,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (of which two are commercial (1997)
Televisions: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,210 km paved: 63 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Castries, Vieux Fort
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includesSpecial Service Unit), Coast Guard
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $5 million (1991); note?forpolice force
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2% (1991)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
======================================================================
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon ————————————-
Geography
Location: Northern North America, islands in the North AtlanticOcean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 W
Map references: North America
Area:total: 242 sq kmland: 242 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and theMiquelon groups
Area—comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy
Terrain: mostly barren rock
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:arable land: 13%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: 4%other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: vegetation scanty
People
Population: 6,966 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.75% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 12.27 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.12 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.13 years male: 75.58 years female: 79 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.58 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)adjective: French
Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%
Languages: French
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (1982 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre andMiquelonconventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelonlocal long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelonlocal short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
Data code: SB
Dependency status: self-governing territorial collectivity ofFrance
Government type: NA
Capital: Saint-Pierre
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity ofFrance)note: there are no first-order administrative divisions approved bythe US Government, but there are two communes—Saint Pierre, Miquelon
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has beenunder French control since 1763)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as housing and taxation
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995), represented by Prefect Remi THUAU (since NA)head of government: President of the General Council Bernard LESOAVEC (since NA 1996)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council iselected by the members of the council
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General(19 seats—15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members areelected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)elections: elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NAApril 2000)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR15, other 4note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate;elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September2004); results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 1;Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French NationalAssembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA2002); results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—UDF 1
Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or TribunalSuperieur d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party or PS [leader NA];
International organization participation: FZ, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorialcollectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorialcollectivity of France)
Flag description: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
Economy—overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped steadily over the years. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$74 million (1996 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$11,000 (1996 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 3,000 (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 9.8% (1997)
Budget:revenues: $70 millionexpenditures: $60 million, including capital expenditures of $24million (1996 est.)
Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets;tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 39 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 39 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Exports: $1.2 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts
Exports—partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal (1990)
Imports: $60.5 million (c.i.f., 1996)
Imports—commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials
Imports—partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
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: 3,650 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: radiotelephone communication with most countries inthe world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 3,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 114 km paved: 69 km unpaved: 45 km (1994 est.)
Ports and harbors: Saint Pierre
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ————————————————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, north ofTrinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 340 sq kmland: 340 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 84 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 10%permanent crops: 18%permanent pastures: 5%forests and woodland: 36%other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island ofSaint Vincent is a constant threat
Environment—current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
People
Population: 120,519 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30% (male 18,160; female 17,524)15-64 years: 65% (male 39,448; female 38,672)65 years and over: 5% (male 2,762; female 3,953) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.57% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 18.34 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.8 years male: 72.29 years female: 75.36 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic groups: black, white, East Indian, Carib Amerindian
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-DayAdventist
Languages: English, French patois
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 96%male: 96%female: 96% (1970 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Data code: VC
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Kingstown
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines,Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution: 27 October 1979
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 David JACK (since NA)head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July1984)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister bythe governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by thegovernor general on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; representativesare elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies toserve five-year terms)elections: last held 15 June 1998 (next to be held by NA May 2003)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—NDP 8,ULP 7
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on SaintLucia); one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent
Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party or NDP [JamesParty or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS,OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C. A. LAYNEchancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Ambassador to SaintVincent and the Grenadines resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold(double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamondsarranged in a V pattern
Economy
Economy—overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this lower-middle-income economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$289 million (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,400 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 10.6% industry: 17.5% services: 71.9% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1996)
Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35%-40% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $85.7 millionexpenditures: $98.6 million, including capital expenditures of $25.7million (1997 est.)
Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 62 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 67.74% hydro: 32.26% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 62 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish
Exports: $47.3 million (1997)
Exports—commodities: bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets
Exports—partners: Caricom countries 49%, UK 16%, US 10% (1995)
Imports: $158.8 million (1997)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels
Imports—partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 28%, UK 13% (1995)
Debt—external: $83.6 million (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $47.5 million (1995); note?Stabex (EU), $34.5 million (1998)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1—2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 6,189 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHFradiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of theGrenadinesinternational: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent toBarbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia;access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are three repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 20,600 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,040 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 720 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Kingstown
Merchant marine:total: 814 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,726,930GRT/11,835,144 DWTships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 138, cargo 402, chemical tanker26, combination bulk 11, combination ore/oil 7, container 47,liquefied gas tanker 3, livestock carrier 4, multifunctionlarge-load carrier 2, oil tanker 64, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo40, roll-on/roll-off cargo 51, short-sea passenger 10, specializedtanker 5, vehicle carrier 1note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 20countries among which are Croatia 17, Slovenia 7, China 5, Greece 5,UAE 3, Norway 2, Japan 2, and Ukraine 2 (1998 est.)
Airports: 6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines PoliceForce (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
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@Samoa ——-
Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 2,860 sq kmland: 2,850 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 403 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season(May to October)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, ruggedmountains in interior
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish
Land use:arable land: 19%permanent crops: 24%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 47%other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Environment—current issues: soil erosion
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
Population: 229,979 (July 1999 est.)note: other estimates range as low as 162,000
Age structure:0-14 years: 39% (male 45,647; female 44,141)15-64 years: 57% (male 68,054; female 62,612)65 years and over: 4% (male 4,477; female 5,048) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.3% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 28.81 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.39 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: 1.09 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 30.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.82 years male: 67.43 years female: 72.33 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.61 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of Europeanand Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of populationassociated with the London Missionary Society; includesCongregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints,Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 97% (1971 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Samoaconventional short form: Samoaformer: Western Samoa
Data code: WS
Government type: constitutional monarchy under native chief
Capital: Apia
Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai,Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli,Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UNtrusteeship)
National holiday: National Day, 1 June (1962)
Constitution: 1 January 1962
Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (cochief ofstate from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April1963)head of government: Prime Minister TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi(since 24 November 1998); note—TUILA'EPA served as deputy primeminister since 1992; he assumed the prime ministership in November1998 when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poorhealth; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacantcabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief ofstate with the prime minister's adviceelections: upon the death of Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II, anew chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly toserve a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the chief ofstate with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49seats—47 elected by Samoans, 2 elected by non-Samoans; only chiefs(matai) may stand for election to the Fono; members serve five-yearterms)elections: last held 26 April 1996 (next to be held by NA April 2001)election results: percent of vote by party—HRPP 45.17%, SNDP 27.1%,independents 23.7%; seats by party—HRPP 25, SNDP 13, independents 11
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party or
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE chancery: 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800D, New York, NY 10017
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN (Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, resides in Wellington, New Zealand) embassy: 5th floor, Beach Road, Apia mailing address: P.O. Box 3430, Apia
Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, private family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. Outside of a large automotive wire harness factory, the manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector; more than 70,0000 tourists visited the islands in 1996. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$470 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.4% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,100 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 25% services: 35% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 82,500 (1991 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $52 millionexpenditures: $99 million, including capital expenditures of $37million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: timber, tourism, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1996 est.)
Electricity—production: 65 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 61.54% hydro: 38.46% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 65 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams
Exports: $14.6 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: coconut oil and cream, copra, fish, beer
Exports—partners: Australia 82%, New Zealand 6%, Slovakia,Germany, American Samoa (1996)
Imports: $99.7 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: intermediate goods, food, capital goods
Imports—partners: Australia 33%, New Zealand 25%, Japan 15%, Fiji 8%, US 8% (1996)
Debt—external: $167 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $42.9 million (1995)
Currency: 1 tala (WS$) = 100 sene
Exchange rates: tala (WS$) per US$1—2.9011 (January 1999), 2.9429 (1998), 2.5562 (1997), 2.4618 (1996), 2.4722 (1995), 2.5349 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 7,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6 (1997)
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 790 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 458 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa
Airports: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)