Land boundaries:total: 2,013 kmborder countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran(with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivanexclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)note: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (muchof it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north,Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on AbseronYasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrousmetals, alumina
Land use:arable land: 18%permanent crops: 5%permanent pastures: 25%forests and woodland: 11%other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Caspian Sea
Environment—current issues: local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton
Environment—international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 7,908,224 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32% (male 1,292,018; female 1,240,745)15-64 years: 61% (male 2,361,792; female 2,496,721)65 years and over: 7% (male 202,755; female 314,193) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.63% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.58 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.76 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: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 82.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.08 years male: 58.76 years female: 67.63 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.67 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%,Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakhregion
Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan;percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995est.)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 99%female: 96% (1989 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Azerbaijani Republicconventional short form: Azerbaijanlocal long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasilocal short form: noneformer: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: AJ
Government type: republic
Capital: Baku (Baki)
Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon—singular),11 cities* (saharlar; sahar—singular), 1 autonomous republic**(muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu,Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*,Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, BeylaqanRayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu,Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, GancaSahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, ImisliRayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, LacinRayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, MasalliRayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan MuxtarRespublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, QaxRayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu,Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, SakiSahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu,Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, TartarRayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*,Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, YardimliRayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, ZaqatalaRayonu, Zardab Rayonu
Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 May
Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993)head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 26 November1996)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president andconfirmed by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;election last held 11 October 1998 (next to be held October 2003);prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by thepresident and confirmed by the National Assemblyelection results: Heydar ALIYEV elected president; percent ofvote—Heydar ALIYEV 76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis(125 seats; members serve five-year terms)elections: last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA2000)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—NAPand allies 115, APF 4, PNIA 3, Musavat Party 1, vacant 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: New Azerbaijan Party or NAPELCHIBEY, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan
Political pressure groups and leaders: self-proclaimed ArmenianNagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Sadval,Lezgin movement
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest),CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM(observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO embassy: Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7050
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Economy
Economy—overview: Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than either Armenia or Georgia, the other Caucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states in its majority Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and natural gas. Production from the Caspian oil field declined through 1997 but registered an increase in 1998. Negotiation of more than a dozen production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $30 billion to oil field development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. A major short-term obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building up with Turkey, Iran, the UAE, and the nations of Europe. A serious long-term challenge is the maintenance of the competitiveness of non-oil exports in world markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$12.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 10% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,640 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -7.6% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 2.9 million (1997)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 15%, services 53% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $565 millionexpenditures: $682 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 16.035 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 90.55% hydro: 9.45% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 16.8 billion kWh (1997)
Electricity—exports: 600 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 745 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Exports: $781 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton
Exports—partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Imports: $794 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports—partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Debt—external: $100 million (of which $75 million to Russia)
Economic aid—recipient: ODA, $113 million (1996)
Currency: manat=100 gopiks
Exchange rates: manats per US$1—3,865.00 (November 1998), 3,985.38 (1997), 4,301.26 (1996), 4,413.54 (1995), 1,570.23 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.414 million (1998)
Telephone system: Azerbaijani telecommunications fall under the Ministry of Communications; Azerbaijan's telephone system is a combination of old Soviet era technology used by Azerbaijani citizens and small- to medium-size commercial establishments, and modern cellular phones used by an increasing middle class, large commercial ventures, international companies, and most government officials; the average citizen waits on a 200,000-person list for telephone service; Internet and E-mail service are available in Baku domestic: local—the majority of telephones are in Baku or other industrial centers; intercity—about 700 villages still do not have public phone service; all long distance service must use Azertel's (Ministry of Communications) lines; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its separated enclave to Nakhichevan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite service between Baku and Turkey provides access to 200 countries; additional satellite providers supply services between Baku and specific countries; Azerbaijan is a signator of the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line (TAE); their lines are not laid but the Turkish satellite and a microwave between Azerbaijan and Iran can provide Azerbaijan worldwide access through this system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (Azerbaijan's single shortwave station transmits its programs to the Middle East in eight languages)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2; note—the Ministry of Communications is the monopoly broadcaster and rebroadcaster of television in Azerbaijan; Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian, Iranian, British broadcasting companies, Voice of America, and other European channels are available via satellite; television is broadcast to Nakhichevan by satellite
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways:total: 2,125 km in common carrier service; does not includeindustrial linesbroad gauge: 2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)
Highways:total: 57,770 kmpaved: 54,188 kmunpaved: 3,582 km (1995 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; naturalgas 1,240 km
Ports and harbors: Baku (Baki)
Merchant marine:total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 251,404 GRT/ 306,264 DWTships by type: cargo 12, oil tanker 42, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2,short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 69 (1996 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, BorderGuards
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,041,863 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,639,144 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 73,486 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $121 million (1999)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.6% (1999)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia to Western Europe
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@Bahamas, The ——————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North AtlanticOcean, southeast of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 13,940 sq kmland: 10,070 sq kmwater: 3,870 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,542 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 32%other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage
Environment—current issues: coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
People
Population: 283,705 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27% (male 39,271; female 38,740)15-64 years: 67% (male 92,830; female 96,814)65 years and over: 6% (male 6,696; female 9,354) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.36% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 20.58 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.43 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.25 years male: 70.94 years female: 77.64 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic groups: black 85%, white 15%
Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Languages: English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98.2%male: 98.5%female: 98% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamasconventional short form: The Bahamas
Data code: BF
Government type: commonwealth
Capital: Nassau
Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and CrookedIslands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek,Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock,Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, NewProvidence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, RockSound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973)
Constitution: 10 July 1973
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 Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2January 1995)head of government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (sinceDecember 1994)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the primeminister's recommendationelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime ministerappointed by the governor general
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 March 1997 (next to be held by March 2002) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—FNM 35, PLP 5
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party or PLPINGRAHAM]
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS,OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlington Griffith BUTLER chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arthur SCHECHTER embassy: Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P.O. Box N-8197, Nassau; stateside address: American Embassy Nassau, P.O. Box 599009, Miami, FL 33159-9009; pouch address: Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. Moderate growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to an increase of the country's GDP by an estimated 4% in 1998. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute less than 10% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued income growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visitors.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$5.63 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$20,100 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 5% services: 92% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (1997)
Labor force: 148,000 (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: government 30%, tourism 40%, business services 10%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $766 millionexpenditures: $845 million, including capital expenditures of $97million (FY97/98)
Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: citrus, vegetables; poultry
Exports: $300 million (1998)
Exports—commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish,refined petroleum products
Exports—partners: US 24.5%, EU (excluding UK) 23.9%, UK 12.6%,Singapore 5.6% (1997)
Imports: $1.37 billion (1998)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil,vehicles, electronics
Imports—partners: US 34.9%, EU 24.3%, Japan 15.5%, Russia 6.3%(1997)
Debt—external: $381.7 million (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $9.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1—1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 200,000 (1997 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: 91,183 telephone subscribers; totally automatic system;highly developedinternational: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida;3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 200,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 60,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1997 est.)
Ports and harbors: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Merchant marine:total: 1,079 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,631,924GRT/41,196,326 DWTships by type: bulk 209, cargo 241, chemical tanker 43, combinationbulk 13, combination ore/oil 22, container 61, liquefied gas tanker34, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 170, passenger 62,passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 140,roll-on/roll-off cargo 48, short-sea passenger 12, specializedtanker 2, vehicle carrier 19note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 49countries among which are Norway 177, Greece 141, UK 113, US 61,Denmark 39, Finland 27, Japan 25, Sweden 24, France 22, and Italy 22(1998 est.)
Airports: 62 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 21 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $20 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; banking industry vulnerable to money laundering
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@Bahrain ———-
Geography
Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east ofSaudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total: 620 sq kmland: 620 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 161 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determinedterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas,fish
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 1%permanent pastures: 6%forests and woodland: 0%other: 92% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms
Environment—current issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; no natural fresh water resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for all water needs
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
People
Population: 629,090 (July 1999 est.)note: includes 227,801 non-nationals (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 31% (male 97,316; female 94,708)15-64 years: 67% (male 249,594; female 169,337)65 years and over: 2% (male 9,241; female 8,894) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.86 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 3.24 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.47 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.3 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.32 years male: 72.75 years female: 77.96 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6%
Religions: Shi'a Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim 25%
Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 85.2%male: 89.1%female: 79.4% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: State of Bahrainconventional short form: Bahrainlocal long form: Dawlat al Bahraynlocal short form: Al Bahrayn
Data code: BA
Government type: traditional monarchy
Capital: Manama
Administrative divisions: 12 municipalities (manatiq,singular—mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah,Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, ArRifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrahnote: all municipalities administered from Manama
Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 16 December (1971)
Constitution: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973
Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999);Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch,born NA 1969)head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa(since 19 January 1970)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet;appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992
Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited
Political pressure groups and leaders: several small, clandestineleftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active; following thearrest of a popular Shi'a cleric, Shi'a activists have fomentedunrest sporadically since late 1994, demanding the return of anelected National Assembly and an end to unemployment
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent),ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Muhammad ABD AL-GHAFFAR Abdallah chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: Building No. 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 3119, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; International Mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
Flag description: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: In Bahrain, petroleum production and processing account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, during and following the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.2 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -2% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,100 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 46% services: 53% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (1996 est.)
Labor force: 150,000 (1997 est.) note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.5 billionexpenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1999 budget)
Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting,offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1995)
Electricity—production: 4.7 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 4.7 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Exports: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 61%,aluminum 7%
Exports—partners: India 18%, Japan 11%, Saudi Arabia 8%, SouthKorea 7%, UAE 5% (1997)
Imports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: nonoil 59%, crude oil 41%
Imports—partners: Saudi Arabia 45%, US 10%, UK 6%, Japan 5%,Germany 4% (1997)
Debt—external: $2 billion (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $48.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1—0.3760 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 73,552 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern system; good domestic services andexcellent international connectionsdomestic: NAinternational: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwaveradio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, andSaudi Arabia; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Oceanand 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 320,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997)
Televisions: 270,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 3,103 km paved: 2,374 km unpaved: 729 km (1997 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km
Ports and harbors: Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 228,273 GRT/304,654 DWTships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, container 2, oil tanker 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 2over 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard,Police Force
Military manpower—military age: 15 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 220,670 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 121,451 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: NA
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $276.9 million (1994)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.5% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands and maritime boundary dispute with Qatar currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
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@Baker Island ——————
Geography
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 13 N, 176 31 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 1.4 sq kmland: 1.4 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 2.5 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4.8 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891)
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment—current issues: no natural fresh water resources
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
People
Population: uninhabitednote: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air andnaval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military duringWorld War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is byspecial-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only andgenerally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery andremnants of structures from early settlement are located near themiddle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and WildlifeService
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island
Data code: FQ
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy
Economy—overview: no economic activity
Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note—there isone boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completelycovered with vegetation and unusable
Transportation—note: there is a day beacon near the middle of thewest coast
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Bangladesh —————
Geography
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, betweenBurma and India
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total: 144,000 sq kmland: 133,910 sq kmwater: 10,090 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries: total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Coastline: 580 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 18 nmcontinental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot,humid summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber
Land use:arable land: 73%permanent crops: 2%permanent pastures: 5%forests and woodland: 15%other: 5% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 31,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely flooded during the summer monsoon season
Environment—current issues: many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; limited access to potable water; water-borne diseases prevalent; water pollution especially of fishing areas results from the use of commercial pesticides; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation; deforestation; severe overpopulation
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
People
Population: 127,117,967 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38% (male 24,516,722; female 23,346,904)15-64 years: 59% (male 38,441,064; female 36,586,743)65 years and over: 3% (male 2,303,613; female 1,922,921) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.59% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 25.2 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 8.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.79 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: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 69.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.6 years male: 60.73 years female: 60.46 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.86 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladesh
Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than 1 million
Religions: Muslim 88.3%, Hindu 10.5%, other 1.2%
Languages: Bangla (official), English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 38.1%male: 49.4%female: 26.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladeshconventional short form: Bangladeshformer: East Pakistan
Data code: BG
Government type: republic
Capital: Dhaka
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi note: there may be one additional division named Sylhet
Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971)
Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Shahabuddin AHMED (since 9 October 1996);note—the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker GovernmentAmendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times whenParliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed—atpresidential direction—to supervise the electionshead of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 23June 1996)cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by thepresidentelections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-yearterm; election last held 24 July 1996 (next to be held by NA October2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the party thatwins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by thepresidentelection results: Shahabuddin AHMED elected president withoutopposition; percent of National Parliament vote—NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament or JatiyaSangsad (330 seats; 300 elected by popular vote from singleterritorial constituencies, 30 seats reserved for women; membersserve five-year terms)elections: last held 12 June 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)election results: percent of vote by party—AL 33.87%, BNP 30.87%;seats by party—AL 178, BNP 113, JP 33, JI 3, other 2, election stillto be held 1; note—the elections of 12 June 1996 brought to power anAwami League government for the first time in twenty-one years; heldunder a neutral, caretaker administration, the elections werecharacterized by a peaceful, orderly process and massive voterturnout, ending a bitter two-year impasse between the former BNP andopposition parties that had paralyzed National Parliament and led towidespread street violence
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the Chief Justices and otherjudges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Bangladesh Nationalist Party or
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP,ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC,OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH,UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Khwaja Mohammad SHEHABUDDINchancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John C. HOLZMANembassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212mailing address: G.P.O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000
Flag description: green with a large red disk slightly to thehoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the bloodshed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lushcountryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam
Economy
Economy—overview: Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. The economy is largely agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the single most important activity in the economy. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state-owned enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), inadequate power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed's Awami League government has made some headway improving the climate for foreign investors and liberalizing the capital markets; for example, it has negotiated with foreign firms for oil and gas exploration, better countrywide distribution of cooking gas, and the construction of natural gas pipelines and power plants. Progress on other economic reforms has been halting because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. Severe floods, lasting from July to October 1998, endangered the livelihoods of more than 20 million people. Foodgrain production fell by 4 million tons, forcing Dhaka to triple its normal foodgrain imports and placing severe pressure on Bangladesh's balance of payments. The floods increased the country's reliance on large-scale international aid. So far the East Asian financial crisis has not had major impact on the economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$175.5 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,380 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 17% services: 53% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 35.6% (1995-96 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 23.7% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1998)
Labor force: 56 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 25%, industry and mining 10% (1996)