Chapter 58

Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket,Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla

Merchant marine:total: 293 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,848,626GRT/2,989,382 DWTships by type: bulk 41, cargo 135, chemical tanker 5, combinationbulk 1, container 13, liquefied gas tanker 17, multifunctionlarge-load carrier 3, oil tanker 61, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specializedtanker 2 (1998 est.)

Airports: 107 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 56 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 35 (1998 est.)

Heliports: 3 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includesRoyal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces

Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 17,486,014 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 10,536,417 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 585,562 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $1.95 billion (FY97/98)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY97/98)

Transnational Issues

Disputes—international: parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined; sporadic conflict with Burma over alignment of border

Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin

======================================================================

@Togo ——

Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, betweenBenin and Ghana

Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E

Map references: Africa

Area:total: 56,790 sq kmland: 54,390 sq kmwater: 2,400 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

Coastline: 56 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 30 nm

Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Agou 986 m

Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble

Land use:arable land: 38%permanent crops: 7%permanent pastures: 4%forests and woodland: 17%other: 34% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts

Environment—current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting agriculture

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

People

Population: 5,081,413 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 1,229,026; female 1,218,956)15-64 years: 50% (male 1,223,371; female 1,299,519)65 years and over: 2% (male 49,890; female 60,651) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.51% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 44.78 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 9.69 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 77.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.25 years male: 56.93 years female: 61.64 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.53 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:noun: Togolese (singular and plural)adjective: Togolese

Ethnic groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and mostimportant are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European andSyrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%

Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 51.7%male: 67%female: 37% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:conventional long form: Togolese Republicconventional short form: Togolocal long form: Republique Togolaiselocal short form: noneformer: French Togo

Data code: TO

Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Capital: Lome

Administrative divisions: 5 regions (regions, singular—region);De La Kara, Des Plateaux, Des Savanes, Du Centre, Maritime

Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UNtrusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by HighCouncil of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27September 1992

Legal system: French-based court system

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April1967)head of government: Prime Minister Kwassi KLUTSE (since August 1996)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and theprime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 21 June 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent ofvote—Gnassingbe EYADEMA 52.13%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (81 seats;members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 6 and 20 February 1994 (next to be held NAFebruary 1999)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—CAR36, RPT 35, UTD 7, UJD 2, CFN 1note: as a result of defections from the CAR to the RPT and themerging of the UJD with the RPT, representation in the NationalAssembly in August 1997 was RPT 42, CAR 32, UTD 5, CFN 1,independent 1

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Courtor Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People orFOLLY]; Pan-African Sociodemocrats Group or GSP, an alliance ofnote: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President EYADEMA,was the only party until the formation of multiple parties waslegalized 12 April 1991

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU,MINURCA, MINURSO, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Akosita FINEANGANOFO chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Brenda Brown SCHOONOVERembassy: Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lomemailing address: B. P. 852, Lome

Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top andbottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed staron a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popularpan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy

Economy—overview: This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton together generate about 30% of export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal, with occasional regional supply difficulties. In the industrial sector, phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, although it has suffered from the collapse of world phosphate prices and increased foreign competition. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has stalled. Political unrest, including private and public sector strikes throughout 1992 and 1993, jeopardized the reform program, shrunk the tax base, and disrupted vital economic activity. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of the currency by 50% provided an important impetus to renewed structural adjustment; these efforts were facilitated by the end of strife in 1994 and a return to overt political calm. Progress depends on following through on privatization, increased transparency in government accounting to accommodate increased social service outlays, and possible downsizing of the military, on which the regime has depended to stay in place. However, in late 1998 the EU suspended aid and trade preferences for Togo because of grave doubts over the conduct of the presidential elections. The World Bank also suspended its disbursements at yearend 1998 because Togo was unable to pay its arrears.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.2 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,670 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 23% services: 45% (1995)

Population below poverty line: 32.3% (1987-89 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.2% (1997)

Labor force: 1.538 million (1993 est.)

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:revenues: $232 millionexpenditures: $252 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)

Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement;handicrafts, textiles, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 13.6% (1995)

Electricity—production: 88 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 93.18% hydro: 6.82% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 408 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 320 million kWh (1996)note: imports electricity from Ghana

Agriculture—products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava(tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish

Exports: $345 million (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports—commodities: cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Exports—partners: Canada 7.6%, Taiwan 7.1%, Nigeria 6.8%, SouthAfrica 5.2% (1996 est.)

Imports: $400 million (f.o.b., 1997)

Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods,petroleum products

Imports—partners: Ghana 19.1%, France 10.8%, China 8.2%, Cameroon6.8% (1996 est.)

Debt—external: $1.5 billion (1996)

Economic aid—recipient: $201.1 million (1995)

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications

Telephones: 47,000 (10,000 cellular telephone subscribers) (1998 est.)

Telephone system: fair system based on network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones international: satellite earth stations—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 795,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (in addition, there are two repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 24,000 (1992 est.)

Transportation

Railways: total: 525 km (1995) narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge

Highways: total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 50 km Mono river

Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome

Merchant marine: none

Airports: 9 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie

Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,102,453 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 578,109 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $27 million (1996)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2% (1996)

Transnational Issues

Disputes—international: none

Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers

======================================================================

@Tokelau ———-

Geography

Location: Oceania, group of three islands in the South PacificOcean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:total: 10 sq kmland: 10 sq kmwater: 0 sq km

Area—comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 101 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use:arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile)permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt

Environment—current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand

Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA

People

Population: 1,471 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: -0.92% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan

Ethnic groups: Polynesian

Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic28%, other 2%note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; onNukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, withthe Congregational Christian Church predominant

Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

Government

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau

Data code: TL

Dependency status: territory of New Zealand; note—Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with Wellington

Government type: NA

Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center

Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)

Independence: none (territory of New Zealand)

National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty ofWaitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948,as amended in 1970

Legal system: British and local statutes

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UKand New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (sinceNA March 1993)head of government: Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997)cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three electedleaders, one from each atoll; functions as a cabinetelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; thehead of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and servesa one-year term

Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (45 seats—15 fromeach of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council ofElders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note—the TokelauAmendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono

Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil andcriminal jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of NewZealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of NewZealand)

Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used

Economy

Economy—overview: Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.5 million (1993 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: NA%

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1993 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:revenues: $430,830expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of$37,300 (1987 est.)

Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodwork, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: NA kWh

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%

Electricity—consumption: NA kWh

Electricity—exports: NA kWh

Electricity—imports: NA kWh

Agriculture—products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats

Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983)

Exports—commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts

Exports—partners: NZ

Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983)

Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel

Imports—partners: NZ

Debt—external: $0

Economic aid—recipient: $3.8 million (1995)

Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1—1.8560 (January 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)

Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March

Communications

Telephones: NA

Telephone system:domestic: radiotelephone service between islandsinternational: radiotelephone service to Western Samoa;government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with threesatellite earth stations, established in 1997

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of NA type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports

Radios: 1,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: NA (1997)

Televisions: NA

Transportation

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Merchant marine: none

Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft fromWestern Samoa

Military

Military—note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Transnational Issues

Disputes—international: none

======================================================================

@Tonga ——-

Geography

Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:total: 748 sq kmland: 718 sq kmwater: 30 sq km

Area—comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 419 km

Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (Decemberto May), cool season (May to December)

Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from upliftedcoral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m

Natural resources: fish, fertile soil

Land use:arable land: 24%permanent crops: 43%permanent pastures: 6%forests and woodland: 11%other: 16% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou

Environment—current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography—note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)

People

Population: 109,082 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 0.8% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 25.92 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 37.93 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.78 years male: 67.73 years female: 72.22 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.56 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan

Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Languages: Tongan, English

Literacy:definition: can read and write Tongan and/or Englishtotal population: 98.5%male: 98.4%female: 98.7% (1996 est.)

Government

Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Tongaconventional short form: Tongaformer: Friendly Islands

Data code: TN

Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Nuku'alofa

Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai,Tongatapu, Vava'u

Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)

National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)

Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967

Legal system: based on English law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991)and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchnote: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch andthe Cabinetelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister anddeputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea(30 seats—12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, ninefor nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected bypopular vote; members serve three-year terms)elections: last held 24-25 January 1996 (next to be held NA March1999)election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—7 proreform, 2traditionalist

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by themonarch; Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of theSupreme Court sits as the Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party [ViliamiFUKOFUKA]

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC,SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US: Tonga does not have anembassy in the US; Ambassador Akosita FINEANGANOFO, resides inLondon; address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga Highconsulate(s) general: San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectanglein the upper hoist-side corner

Economy

Economy—overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 32% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$232 million (FY97/98 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: -1.5% (FY97/98 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,100 (FY97/98 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 10% services: 58% (1996)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1997 est.)

Labor force: 36,665 (1994)

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate: 11.8% (FY93/94)

Budget:revenues: $49 millionexpenditures: $120 million, including capital expenditures of $75million (FY96/97 est.)

Industries: tourism, fishing

Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (FY95/96)

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: squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish

Exports: $11.9 million (f.o.b., FY97/98)

Exports—commodities: squash, fish, vanilla, root crops, coconutoil

Exports—partners: Japan 43%, US 19%, Canada 14%, NZ 5%, Australia5% (1996 est.)

Imports: $78.9 million (f.o.b., FY97/98)

Imports—commodities: food products, live animals, machinery andtransport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals

Imports—partners: NZ 34%, Australia 16%, US 10%, UK 8%, Japan 6%(1996 est.)

Debt—external: $62 million (1998)

Economic aid—recipient: $38.8 million (1995)

Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti

Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1—1.6171 (December 1998), 1.4921 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996), 1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994)

Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June

Communications

Telephones: 6,000 (1994 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 66,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)

Televisions: 2,000 (1994 est.)

Transportation

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai

Merchant marine:total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,754 GRT/25,969 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gastanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)

Airports: 6 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Tonga Defense Services (includes, Royal TonganMarines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note—a newAir Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is beingdeveloped

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%

Transnational Issues

Disputes—international: none

======================================================================

@Trinidad and Tobago —————————-

Geography

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:total: 5,130 sq kmland: 5,130 sq kmwater: 0 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 362 km

Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continentalmarginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Land use:arable land: 15%permanent crops: 9%permanent pastures: 2%forests and woodland: 46%other: 28% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms

Environment—current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

People

Population: 1,102,096 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:0-14 years: 27% (male 150,862; female 144,589)15-64 years: 66% (male 377,894; female 346,375)65 years and over: 7% (male 37,001; female 45,375) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: -1.35% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 14.46 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 8.14 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -19.8 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: 1.09 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 18.56 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.66 years male: 68.19 years female: 73.19 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian

Ethnic groups: black 40%, East Indian (a local term—primarilyimmigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese1%, other 3.7%

Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%,other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1%

Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish

Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.9%male: 98.8%female: 97% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobagoconventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago

Data code: TD

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Port-of-Spain

Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, SaintAndrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*,Tobago**, Victoria

Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

Constitution: 1 August 1976

Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:chief of state: President Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON (since 19March 1997)head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliamentelections: president elected by an electoral college, which consistsof the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for afive-year term; election last held NA February 1997 (next to be heldNA 2002); prime minister appointed from among the members ofParliament; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party in the House of Representatives is usually appointedprime ministerelection results: Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON electedpresident; percent of electoral college vote—69%

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate(31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term offive years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives—last held 6 November 1995 (nextto be held by December 2000)election results: House of Representatives—percent of vote—PNM 52%,UNC 42.2%, NAR 5.2%; seats by party—PNM 15, UNC 19, NAR 1,independent 1; note—the UNC formed a coalition with the NARnote: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 membersserving four-year terms

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister); Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister)

Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement or PNM

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. ARNEAUDchancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. SHUMAKER, IIIembassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spainmailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain

Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band fromthe upper hoist side

Economy

Economy—overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. Successful economic reforms were implemented in 1995, and foreign investment and trade are flourishing. Unemployment—a main cause of the country's socioeconomic problems—is high, but has decreased to its lowest point in six years. An investment boom in the energy sector led to a surge in imports in 1997. The resulting trade deficit is expected to return to a surplus once construction is completed and the plants come on line. The petrochemical sector has spurred growth in other related sectors, reinforcing the government's commitment to economic diversification. Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner, with 260,000 arrivals in 1995, 80% from Europe.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.85 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 4.3% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$8,000 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 44% services: 53.8% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: 21% (1992 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1997)

Labor force: 541,000 (1997 est.)

Labor force—by occupation: construction and utilities 12.4%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 9.5%, services 64.1% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate: 14% (June 1998)

Budget:revenues: $1.59 billionexpenditures: $1.54 billion, including capital expenditures of$165.8 million (1997)

Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing,cement, beverage, cotton textiles

Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1995)

Electricity—production: 4 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 4 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry

Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports—commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers

Exports—partners: US 39.7%, Caricom countries 24.5%, LatinAmerica 10.3%, EU 8.2% (1997)

Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997)

Imports—commodities: machinery, transportation equipment,manufactured goods, food, live animals

Imports—partners: US 52.2%, Latin America 16.5%, EU 13.8%, Japan3.6% (1997)

Debt—external: $2.8 billion (1997 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: $121.4 million (1995)

Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1—6.2761 (January 1999), 6.2840 (1998), 6.2517 (1997), 6.0051 (1996), 5.9478 (1995), 5.9249 (1994)

Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September

Communications

Telephones: 170,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: excellent international service; good localservicedomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 10, shortwave 0

Radios: 700,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997)

Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)

Transportation

Railways: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 1968

Highways: total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; naturalgas 904 km

Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas,Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora

Merchant marine:total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,336 GRT/2,567 DWT(1998 est.)

Airports: 6 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includesGround Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and TobagoPolice Service

Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 312,870 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 223,200 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $83 million (1994)

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; producer of cannabis

======================================================================

@Tromelin Island ———————-

Geography

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar

Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E

Map references: Africa

Area:total: 1 sq kmland: 1 sq kmwater: 0 sq km

Area—comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3.7 km

Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: sandy

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100% (scattered bushes)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: NA

Environment—current issues: NA

Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography—note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary

People

Population: uninhabited

Government

Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Tromelin Islandlocal long form: nonelocal short form: Ile Tromelin

Data code: TE

Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion

Legal system: NA

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France)

Flag description: the flag of France is used

Economy

Economy—overview: no economic activity

Communications

Communications—note: important meteorological station

Transportation

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Airports: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Military

Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues

Disputes—international: claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius

======================================================================

@Tunisia ———-

Geography

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:total: 163,610 sq kmland: 155,360 sq kmwater: 8,250 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

Coastline: 1,148 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, drysummers; desert in south

Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiaridsouth merges into the Sahara


Back to IndexNext