Military expenditures—dollar figure: $4.244 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 5.1% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a money-laundering center
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@Slovakia ————
Introduction
Background: After centuries under foreign rule, mainly by Hungary, the Slovaks joined with their neighbors to form the new nation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989, and Czechoslovakia once more was an independent country turning toward the West. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia has experienced more difficulty than the Czech Republic in developing a modern market economy.
Geography
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 48,845 sq kmland: 48,800 sq kmwater: 45 sq km
Area—comparative: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:total: 1,355 kmborder countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of ironore, copper and manganese ore; salt
Land use:arable land: 31%permanent crops: 3%permanent pastures: 17%forests and woodland: 41%other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: air pollution from metallurgicalplants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment—international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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: landlocked
People
Population: 5,396,193 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20% (male 551,847; female 528,236)15-64 years: 69% (male 1,837,788; female 1,861,305)65 years and over: 11% (male 237,710; female 379,307) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.04% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 9.52 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.43 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.29 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: 0.63 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.48 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.46 years male: 69.71 years female: 77.4 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which is about 500,000), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%,Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Slovak Republicconventional short form: Slovakialocal long form: Slovenska Republikalocal short form: Slovensko
Data code: LO
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bratislava
Administrative divisions: 8 departments (kraje, singular—kraj);Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky,Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: Slovak Constitution Day, 1 September (1992);Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, 29 August (1944)
Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1January 1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (vacant); note—President NOVAC retired atthe end of his term; the government has announced its intention tohold direct presidential election in early 1999; in the meantime theprime minister takes over the president's dutieshead of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30October 1998)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by National Council secret ballot thatmust yield a three-fifths majority for a five-year term; electionlast held NA March 1998 but no candidate was able to win athree-fifths majority required by law (next to be held NA 1999);following National Council elections, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointedprime minister by the presidentelection results: presidency vacant
Legislative branch: unicameral National Council of the SlovakRepublic or Narodna Rada Slovensky Repubiky (150 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 25-26 September 1998 (next to be held NASeptember 2003)election results: percent of vote by party—HZDS 27%, SDK 16.3%, SDL14.7%, SMK 9.1%, SNS 9.1%, SOP 8%; seats by party—governingcoalition 93 (SDK 42, SDL 23, SMK 15, SOP 13), opposition 57 (HZDS43, SNS 14)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by theNational Council; Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: Movement for a Democratic SlovakiaHungarian Coalition or SMK (includes MKDH, MOS, and Coexistence)LUPTAK, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Slovakia or SSDSchairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Party of Entrepreneurs andBusinessmen of Slovakia; Christian Social Union; Confederation ofTrade Unions or KOZ; Metal Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG;Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns andVillages or ZMOS
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,BSEC (observer), CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Martin BUTORAchancery: (temporary) Suite 250, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph R. JOHNSONembassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top),blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shieldcentered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on abackground of red and blue
Economy
Economy—overview: Slovakia, continuing the difficult transition from a centrally controlled economy to a modern market-oriented economy, begins 1999 with clouds on the horizon: GDP growth is slowing sharply; budget and current account deficits are too large; external debt is growing uncomfortably fast; unemployment is high and rising; corrupt insider deals persist; and demand is weakening for Slovakia's key primary goods exports, especially as Russia and Ukraine slump and as EU growth slows. International credit rating agencies have downgraded Slovak debt to below investment grade. The new government intends to address the economy's ills by giving priority to joining the OECD and EU, cutting government wage and infrastructure spending, boosting some taxes and regulated prices, expanding privatization to companies formerly considered strategic, restructuring the financial section, encouraging foreign investment, and reenergizing the social partnership with labor and employers. Government officials believe as long as two years may be needed before its structural reforms improve economic performance. In 1999, the government expects GDP growth to slow from 5% in 1998 to 2%, inflation to rise from 6% to 10%, and unemployment to rise from less than 14% to 15% or 16%, but hopes to bring the budget deficit down to no more than 2% of GDP and the current account deficit down to 5% to 6% of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$44.5 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$8,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 33.4% services: 61.8% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 18.2% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1998)
Labor force: 3.32 million (1997)
Labor force—by occupation: industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8%, transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 14% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $5.4 billionexpenditures: $6.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate: 2.7% (1997)
Electricity—production: 25.81 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 35.57% hydro: 20.81% nuclear: 43.62% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 26.353 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 2.607 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 3.15 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Exports: $10.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment 37%; intermediate manufactured goods 30%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 13%; chemicals 9%; raw materials 4% (1998)
Exports—partners: EU 56% (Germany 29%), Czech Republic 20%,Austria 7%, Poland 7% (1998)
Imports: $12.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment 40%; intermediate manufactured goods 18%; fuels 11%; chemicals 11%; miscellaneous manufactured goods 10% (1998)
Imports—partners: EU 50% (Germany 26%), Czech Republic 18%,Russia 10%, Italy 6% (1998)
Debt—external: $10.7 billion (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $421.9 million (1995)
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1—36.207 (January 1999), 35.233 (1998). 33.616 (1997), 30.654 (1996), 29.713 (1995), 32.045 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note—thereare 22 private broadcast stations and two public (state) broadcaststations
Radios: 915,000 (1995 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 41 (1997)
Televisions: 1.2 million (1995 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 3,660 kmbroad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1424 km electrified)narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1996)
Highways:total: 38,000 kmpaved: 37,500 km (including 280 km of expressways)unpaved: 500 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 172 km on the Danube
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports and harbors: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine:total: 3 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,041 GRT/19,517DWT (1998 est.)
Airports: 15 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, ReserveForce (Home Guards), Civil Defense Force
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,478,729 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,130,482 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 45,919 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $436 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.1% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: ongoing Gabcikovo Dam dispute withHungary is before the International Court of Justice; unresolvedproperty issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of formerCzechoslovak federal property
Illicit drugs: minor, but increasing, transshipment point forSouthwest Asian heroin and hashish bound for Western Europe
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@Slovenia ————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, eastern Alps bordering theAdriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 20,256 sq kmland: 20,256 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,334 kmborder countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km,Hungary 102 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climatewith mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus andvalleys to the east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpinemountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountain andvalleys with numerous rivers to the east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium,silver
Land use:arable land: 12%permanent crops: 3%permanent pastures: 24%forests and woodland: 54%other: 7% (1996 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes
Environment—current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
Population: 1,970,570 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16% (male 163,816; female 155,509)15-64 years: 70% (male 693,382; female 687,060)65 years and over: 14% (male 99,121; female 171,682) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.04% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 8.97 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.62 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.23 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.28 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.36 years male: 71.71 years female: 79.21 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.23 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 70.8% (including 2% Uniate), Lutheran 1%, Muslim 1%, atheist 4.3%, other 22.9%
Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6%, other 3%
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA%
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form: Slovenialocal long form: Republika Slovenijelocal short form: Slovenija
Data code: SI
Government type: parliamentary democratic republic
Capital: Ljubljana
Administrative divisions: 136 municipalities (obcine,singular—obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (obcine mestne,singular—obcina mestna) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Bled, Bohinj,Borovnica, Bovec, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova-Tisina, Celje*,Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Crensovci, Crna naKoroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik-Trnovska Vas, Divaca, Dobrepolje,Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava,Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona,Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grosuplje, Hodos Salovci, Hrastnik,Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola,Jesenice, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,Kocevje, Komen, Koper*, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krsko,Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno,Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Luce, Lukovica,Majsperk, Maribor*, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica,Miren-Kostanjevica, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje,Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*,Odranci, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran, Pivka, Podcetrtek,Podvelka-Ribnica, Postojna, Preddvor, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram,Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne-Prevalje,Ribnica, Rogasevci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Semic, Sencur,Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan,Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica,Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Sostanj,Starse, Store, Sveti Jurij, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic,Turnisce, Velenje*, Velike Lasce, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice,Vojnik, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki,Ziri, Zrece
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: National Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, ifemployed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990)head of government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andelected by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 24 November 1997 (next to be held NA 2002);following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated tobecome prime minister by the president and elected by the NationalAssembly; election last held 10 November 1996 (next to be held NANovember 2000)election results: Milan KUCAN elected president; percent ofvote—Milan KUCAN 56.3%, Janez PODOBNIK 18%; Janez DRNOVSEK electedprime minister; percent of National Assembly vote—51%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor(90 seats, 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on aproportional basis; note—the numbers of directly elected andproportionally elected seats varies with each election; members areelected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: National Assembly—last held 10 November 1996 (next to beheld Fall 2000)election results: percent of vote by party—LDS 27.01%, SLS 19.38%,SDS 16.13%, SKD 9.62%, ZLDS 9.03%, DeSUS 4.32%, SNS 3.22%; seats byparty—LDS 25, SLS 19, SDS 16, SKD 10, ZLSD 9, DeSUS 5, SNS 4,Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1; note—seating as of January1997 is as follows: LDS 25, SLS 19, SDS 16, SKD 9, ZLSD 9, DeSUS 5,SNS 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1, independents 1note: the National Council or Drzavni Svet is an advisory body withlimited legislative powers; it may propose laws and ask to reviewany National Assembly decisions; in the election of NA November1997, 40 members were elected to represent local, professional, andsocioeconomic interests (next election to be held in the fall of2002)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by theNational Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council;Constitutional Court, judges elected for nine-year terms by theNational Assembly and nominated by the president
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic or LDS [JanezPETERLE, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDSPODOBNIK, chairman]; United List (former Communists and allies) orJELINCIC, chairman]; Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC,EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNSecurity Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UPU,WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dimitrij RUPEL chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J. Paul REID embassy: address NA, Ljubljana mailing address: P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 1000 Ljubljana; American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7140
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy
Economy—overview: Today, Slovenia exhibits one of the highest per capita GDPs of the transition economies of the region, fairly moderate inflation, and a comfortable level of international reserves. Slovenia received an invitation in 1997 to begin accession negotiations with the EU—a reflection of its sound economic footing. Slovenia must press on with privatization, enterprise restructuring, institution reform, and liberalization of financial markets, thereby creating conditions conducive to foreign investment and the maintenance of a stable tolar. Critical to the future success of the economy is the development of export sales in increasingly competitive international markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$20.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.6% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 35% services: 60% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 4%highest 10%: 24.5% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 857,400
Labor force—by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1997 est.)
Budget:revenues: $8.48 billionexpenditures: $8.53 billion, including capital expenditures of $455million (1996 est.)
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products,aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting,electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric powerequipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate: 0.8% (1996)
Electricity—production: 12.075 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 34.58% hydro: 29.31% nuclear: 36.11% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 11.295 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 2.03 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 1.25 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry
Exports: $9.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: manufactured goods 45%, machinery andtransport equipment 30%, chemicals 10%, food 3% (1997)
Exports—partners: Germany 29%, Italy 15%, Croatia 10%, France,Austria, US (1997)
Imports: $9.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment 31%, manufactured goods 31%, chemicals 11%, fuels and lubricants, food (1997)
Imports—partners: Germany 21%, Italy 17%, France 10%, Austria 8%,Croatia 5%, Hungary, US (1997)
Debt—external: $4.4 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: ODA, $5 million (1993)
Currency: 1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates: tolars (SlT) per US$1—162.50 (January 1999), 166.13 (1998), 159.69 (1997), 135.36 (1996), 118.52 (1995), 128.81 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 691,240 (1997 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: 70% digital; full digitalization scheduled by 2000international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 0note: there are more than 20 regional and local radio broadcaststations
Radios: 596,100 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 23 (consisting of 20 network stations and three private stations; there are also about 400 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 454,400 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 489 km) (1998)
Highways:total: 14,830 kmpaved: 12,309 km (including 251 km of expressways)unpaved: 2,521 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: NA
Pipelines: crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports and harbors: Izola, Koper, Piran
Airports: 14 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)
Military manpower—military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 530,182 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 421,864 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 15,294 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $272 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.8% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: significant progress has been made with Croatia toward resolving a maritime border dispute over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; Italy and Slovenia made progress in resolving bilateral issues
Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound forWestern Europe and for precursor chemicals
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@Solomon Islands ———————-
Introduction
Background: In 1893, Britain made the southern Solomon Islands a protectorate. Other islands were added to the group, including some ceded to Britain by Germany. The Solomon Islands were occupied by the Japanese during World War II. Following the war, internal self-government was established in 1976, and independence from the UK came two years later. Current issues include government deficits, deforestation, and malaria control.
Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 28,450 sq kmland: 27,540 sq kmwater: 910 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates,lead, zinc, nickel
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 1%permanent pastures: 1%forests and woodland: 88%other: 9% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons, but they are rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; much of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
Population: 455,429 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 103,844; female 99,972)15-64 years: 52% (male 120,518; female 117,298)65 years and over: 3% (male 6,808; female 6,989) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.18% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 35.92 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.11 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.09 years male: 69.55 years female: 74.75 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.96 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups: Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%,European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Religions: Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, otherProtestant 5%, traditional beliefs 4%
Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is linguafranca, English spoken by 1%-2% of populationnote: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Solomon Islandsformer: British Solomon Islands
Data code: BP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Honiara
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western note: there may be two new provinces of Choiseul (Lauru) and Rennell/Bellona and the administrative unit of Honiara may have been abolished
Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution: 7 July 1978
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Moses PITAKAKA (since 10 June 1994)head of government: Prime Minister Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU (since 27August 1997); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Baddeley DEVESI (since 27August 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime minister from among the members of Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to fiveyears; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected primeminister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by thegovernor general on the advice of the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (50 seats;members elected from single member constituencies by popular vote toserve four-year terms)elections: last held 6 August 1997 (next to be held by August 2001)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—GNUR21, PAP 7, NAPSI 5, SILP 4, UP 4, independents 6, other 3
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: characterized by fluid coalitions;TAUSINGA] (leader of opposition); People's Alliance Party or PAP
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Rex HOROI (represents thecountry as both the Permanent Representative to the UN and theambassador to the US)chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
Economy
Economy—overview: The bulk of the population depend on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Economic troubles in Southeast Asia led to a steep downturn in the timber industry, and economic output declined by about 10% in 1998. The government instituted public service pay cuts and other retrenchments.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.15 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -10% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,600 (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): 11.8% (1996)
Labor force: 26,842
Labor force—by occupation: services 41.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 23.7%, commerce, transport, and finance 21.7%, construction, manufacturing, and mining 13.1% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $147 millionexpenditures: $168 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)
Industries: copra, fish (tuna)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 30 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 30 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish
Exports: $184 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: timber, fish, palm oil, cocoa, copra
Exports—partners: Japan 50%, Spain 16%, UK, Thailand 5% (1996)
Imports: $151 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
Imports—commodities: plant and equipment, manufactured goods,food and live animals, fuel
Imports—partners: Australia 42%, Japan 10%, Singapore 9%, NZ 8%,US 5% (1996)
Debt—external: $145 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $46.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1—4.9334 (January 1999), 4.8156 (1998), 3.5664 (1997), 3.4059 (1995), 3.2914 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 5,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 38,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: 1,360 kmpaved: 34 kmunpaved: 1,326 km (includes about 800 km of private plantationroads) (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor,Yandina
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 33 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: no regular military forces; Solomon IslandsNational Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal SolomonIslands Police (RSIP)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Somalia ———-
Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and theIndian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 637,660 sq kmland: 627,340 sq kmwater: 10,320 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries: total: 2,366 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline: 3,025 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: principally desert; December to February—northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October—southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves ofiron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 69%forests and woodland: 26%other: 3% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer
Environment—current issues: famine; use of contaminated watercontributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing;soil erosion; desertification
Environment—international agreements:party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Seasigned, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography—note: strategic location on Horn of Africa alongsouthern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea andSuez Canal
People
Population: 7,140,643 (July 1999 est.) note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1987 by the Somali Government with the cooperation of the UN and the US Bureau of the Census; population estimates are updated between censuses by factoring in growth rates and by taking account of refugee movements and losses due to famine; lower estimates of Somalia's population in mid-1996 (on the order of 6.0 million to 6.5 million) have been made by aid and relief agencies, based on the number of persons being fed; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large numbers of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 1,588,025; female 1,584,770)15-64 years: 53% (male 1,898,794; female 1,865,487)65 years and over: 3% (male 92,419; female 111,148) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.13% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 47.98 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 18.62 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 125.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.23 years male: 44.66 years female: 47.85 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.25 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali
Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 24%male: 36%female: 14% (1990 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic
Data code: SO
Government type: none
Capital: Mogadishu
Administrative divisions: 18 regions (plural—NA,singular—gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud,Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag,Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland,which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and ItalianSomaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administeredUN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: Somalia has no functioning government; the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Major General Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the present political situation is one of anarchy, marked by interclan fighting and random banditry
Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or GolahaShacbiganote: not functioning
Judicial branch: (not functioning); note—following the breakdownof national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic lawwith a provision for appeal of all sentences
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: numerous clan and subclanfactions are currently vying for power
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL,AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Somalia does not have anembassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991)
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassyin Nairobi at Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue; mail address: P.
Flag description: light blue with a large white five-pointed starin the center; design based on the flag of the UN (ItalianSomaliland was a UN trust territory)
Government—note: While chaos and clan fighting continue in most of Somalia, some orderly government has been established in the northern part. In May 1991, the elders of clans in former British Somaliland established the independent Republic of Somaliland, which, although not recognized by any government, maintains a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of the ruling clan and the economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian and American military assistance programs. The economy has been growing and in February 1996 the EU agreed to finance the reconstruction of the port of Berbera; since then, other aid projects have been assumed by the EU and by a non-governmental Italian organization.
Economy
Economy—overview: One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. After livestock, bananas are the principal export; sugar, sorghum, corn, and fish are products for the domestic market. The small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, accounts for 10% of GDP; most facilities have been shut down because of the civil strife. Moreover, as of early 1999, ongoing civil disturbances in Mogadishu and outlying areas are interfering with any substantial economic advance.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$600 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 59% industry: 10% services: 31% (1995 est.)
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: 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers)(1993est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism)71%, industry and services 29%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 258 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 258 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: bananas, sorghum, corn, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish
Exports: $123 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
Exports—commodities: livestock, bananas, hides, fish (1997)
Exports—partners: Saudi Arabia 55%, Yemen 19%, Italy 11%, UAE, US (1996 est.)
Imports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
Imports—commodities: manufactures, petroleum products,foodstuffs, construction materials (1995)
Imports—partners: Kenya 28%, Djibouti 21%, Brazil 6%, Pakistan(1996 est.)
Debt—external: $2.6 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $191.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1—2,620(January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995), 2,616 (1 July 1993), 4,200 (December1992)note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independentcountry not recognized by any government, issues its own currency,the Somaliland shilling (So. Sh.)
Fiscal year: NA
Communications