GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.8 trillion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,800 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 35% services: 50% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 10% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.9% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.3% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 700 million (1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 50%, industry 24%, services 26% (1998)
Unemployment rate: urban unemployment roughly 10%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate: 8.8% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 1.16 trillion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 80.31% hydro: 18.46% nuclear: 1.23% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 1.014 trillion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 7.935 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 89 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish
Exports: $194.9 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment; textiles and clothing, footwear, toys and sporting goods; mineral fuels, chemicals
Exports - partners: US 22%, Hong Kong 19%, Japan 17%, Germany, SouthKorea, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Taiwan (1999)
Imports: $165.8 billion (c.i.f., 1999)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, plastics, chemicals, iron and steel, mineral fuels
Imports - partners: Japan 20%, US 12%, Taiwan 12%, South Korea 10%,Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore (1999)
Debt - external: $159 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 yuan = 10 jiao
Exchange rates: yuan per US$1 - 8.2793 (January 2000), 8.2783 (1999), 8.2790 (1998), 8.2898 (1997), 8.3142 (1996), 8.3514 (1995) note: beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotes the midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day's prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market
Fiscal year: calendar year
@China:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 110 million (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 23.4 million (1998)
Telephone system: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany
Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998)
Radios: 417 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997)
Televisions: 400 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (1999)
@China:Transportation
Railways: total: 65,650 km (including 5,400 km of provincial "local" rails) standard gauge: 62,050 km 1.435-m gauge (12,150 km electrified; 20,250 km double track) narrow gauge: 3,600 km 0.750-m gauge local industrial lines (1998 est.) note: a new total of 68,000 km has been estimated for early 1999
Highways: total: 1.21 million km paved: 271,300 km (with at least 24,474 km of expressways) unpaved: 938,700 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 110,000 km navigable (1999)
Pipelines: crude oil 9,070 km; petroleum products 560 km; natural gas 9,383 km (1998)
Ports and harbors: Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu,Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai,Shantou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang
Merchant marine: total: 1,746 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,637,023 GRT/24,552,567 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 325, cargo 840, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 11, combination ore/oil 1, container 125, liquified gas 20, multi-functional large load carrier 5, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 46, petroleum tanker 251, refrigerated cargo 24, roll-on/roll-off 21, short-sea passenger 43, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 206 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 192 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 65 1,524 to 2,437 m: 90 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 6 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
@China:Military
Military branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA), which includes theGround Forces, Navy (includes Marines and Naval Aviation), Air Force,Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missile force), People's ArmedPolice (internal security troops, nominally subordinate to Ministry ofPublic Security, but included by the Chinese as part of the "armedforces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in wartime)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 363,050,980 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 199,178,361 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 10,839,039 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $12.608 billion (FY99); note - Western analysts believe that China's real defense spending is several times higher than the official figure because a number of significant items are funded elsewhere
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY99)
@China:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: boundary with India in dispute; dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement; portions of the boundary with Tajikistan are indefinite; 33-km section of boundary with North Korea in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwan; agreement on land border with Vietnam was signed in December 1999, but details of alignment have not yet been made public
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in theGolden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem
______________________________________________________________________
@Christmas Island:Introduction
Background: This island was annexed by the UK in 1888, following the discovery of phosphate rock.
@Christmas Island:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south ofIndonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% note: mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
@Christmas Island:People
Population: 2,564 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 7.77% (2000 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 years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)
Languages: English, Chinese, Malay
@Christmas Island:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
Government type: NA
Capital: The Settlement
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2000) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
@Christmas Island:Economy
Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA
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
Labor force - by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
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: NA
Exports: $NA
Exports - commodities: phosphate
Exports - partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA
Imports - commodities: consumer goods
Imports - partners: principally Australia
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.5207 (January 2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Christmas Island:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: NA
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1999)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: external telephone and telex services are provided byIntelsat satellite
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: 600 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Christmas Island:Transportation
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Christmas Island:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
@Christmas Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Clipperton Island:Geography
Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references: World
Area: total: 7 sq km land: 7 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 11.1 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rainsMay-October
Terrain: coral atoll
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: subject to tornadoes
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: reef about 8 km in circumference
@Clipperton Island:People
Population: uninhabited (July 2000 est.)
@Clipperton Island:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Data code: IP
Dependency status: possession of France; administered by France fromFrench Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic
Flag description: the flag of France is used
@Clipperton Island:Economy
Economy - overview: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing.
@Clipperton Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
@Clipperton Island:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Clipperton Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
@Colombia:Introduction
Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. While Bogota continues to try to negotiate a settlement, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.
@Colombia:Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, betweenPanama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, betweenEcuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references: South America, Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank
Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries: total: 6,004 km border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high AndesMountains, eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 39% forests and woodland: 48% other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,300 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note: only South American country with coastlines on bothNorth Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
@Colombia:People
Population: 39,685,655 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 6,463,195; female 6,310,723) 15-64 years: 63% (male 12,206,095; female 12,854,682) 65 years and over: 5% (male 832,986; female 1,017,974) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.68% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 22.85 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.73 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.28 years male: 66.43 years female: 74.27 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 91.2% female: 91.4% (1995 est.)
@Colombia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular -departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas,Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta,Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia,Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte deSantander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia,Distrito Capital de Santa fe de Bogota*, Santander, Sucre, Tolima,Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL Lemus (since 7 August 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL Lemus (since 7 August 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by newly elected presidents; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from the two leading candidates was held 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANA elected president; percent of vote - 50.3%; Gustavo BELL elected vice president; percent of vote - 50.3%
Legislative branch: Bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (163 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002); House of Representatives - last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PL 50%, PSC 24%, smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats by party - PL 58, PSC 28, smaller parties 16; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PL 52%, PSC 17%, other 31%; seats by party - PL 98, PSC 52, indigenous parties 2, others 11
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justical, highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alliance-April 19 Movementor AD/M-19 is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissidentliberals and conservatives [Carlos Franco ECHAVARRIA, Antonio NAVARROWolff, Otty PATINO, Carlos Alonso LUCIO]; Liberal Party or PL [JoseFernando BAUTISTA]; New Democratic Force or NDF ; PatrioticUnion or UP is a legal political party formed by Revolutionary ArmedForces of Colombia or FARC and Colombian Communist Party or PCC [AidaABELLA]; Social Conservative Party or PSC [Dr. Eugenio MERLANO de laOssa]
Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - National Liberation Army or ELN; and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC
International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom(observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 387-8338 FAX: (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC consulate(s): Atlanta
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: APO AA 34038 telephone: (1) 315-0811 FAX: (1) 315-2197
Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
@Colombia:Economy
Economy - overview: Colombia is poised for moderate growth in the next several years, marking an end to the severe 1999 recession when GDP fell by about 5%. President PASTRANA's well-respected economic team is taking steps to keep the recovery on track, such as lowering interest rates and shoring up the financial system. In its loan agreement with the IMF, the administration has pledged to take additional steps to restore growth, reduce inflation, and improve the public sector's fiscal health. Many challenges to sustainable growth remain, however. Unemployment reached a record 20% in 1999 and may remain high, contributing to the extreme inequality in income distribution. Colombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future: new exploration is needed to offset a pending decline in oil production, and the coffee harvest has dropped off because of aging plantations and natural disasters. The lack of public security is a key concern for investors, making progress in the government's peace negotiations with insurgent groups an important driver of economic performance. Colombia is looking for international financial assistance to boost economic recovery and peace prospects.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $245.1 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,200 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 17.7% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 46.9% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.2% (1999)
Labor force: 16.8 million (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $22 billion expenditures: $24 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate: -7% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 45.02 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 30.11% hydro: 69.25% nuclear: 0% other: 0.64% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 41.963 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 94 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
Exports: $11.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, gold, bananas, cut flowers
Exports - partners: US 39%, EU 24%, Andean Community 15%, Japan 2% (1998)
Imports: $10 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
Imports - partners: US 35%, EU 20%, Andean Community 15%, Japan 7% (1998)
Debt - external: $35 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $40.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 1,925.63 (January 2000), 1,756.23 (1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Colombia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 5,433,565 (December 1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,800,229 (December 1998)
Telephone system: modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching centers; 8 submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)
Radios: 21 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997)
Televisions: 4.59 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (1999)
@Colombia:Transportation
Railways: total: 3,380 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to maritime port at Bahia de Portete) narrow gauge: 3,230 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995)
Highways: total: 115,564 km paved: 13,868 km unpaved: 101,696 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: 18,140 km, navigable by river boats (April 1996)
Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports and harbors: Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura,Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco,Turbo
Merchant marine: total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,343 GRT/67,168 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, container 1, multi-functional large load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 2 (1999 est.)
Airports: 1,101 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 90 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 37 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 7 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,011 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 330 under 914 m: 618 (1999 est.)
@Colombia:Military
Military branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 10,599,704 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 7,093,676 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 370,356 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.4 billion (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.7% (FY99)
@Colombia:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 1998 - 101,500 hectares, a 28% increase over 1997); cultivation of opium in 1998 remained steady at 6,600 hectares; potential production of opium in 1997 - 66 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets, and an important supplier of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program
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@Comoros:Introduction
Background: Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. A subsequent attempt by the government to reestablish control over the rebellious islands by force failed, and presently the Organization of African Unity is brokering negotiations to effect a reconciliation.
@Comoros:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 2,170 sq km land: 2,170 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 340 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 35% permanent crops: 10% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 18% other: 30% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December toApril); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Environment - current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: important location at northern end of MozambiqueChannel
@Comoros:People
Population: 578,400 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 123,891; female 123,241) 15-64 years: 54% (male 155,062; female 159,287) 65 years and over: 3% (male 8,072; female 8,847) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.05% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 40.05 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 86.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.03 years male: 57.85 years female: 62.28 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.38 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran
Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend ofSwahili and Arabic)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.3% male: 64.2% female: 50.4% (1995 est.)
@Comoros:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores local short form: Comores
Data code: CN
Government type: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja),Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 20 October 1996
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 6 May 1999); note - the interim government of President Tajiddine Ben Said MASSOUNDE, which had assumed power on 6 November 1998 upon the death of President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim, was overthrown in a bloodless coup on 30 April 1999 head of government: Prime Minister Bianrifi TARMIDI (since 2 December 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 6 and 16 March 1996 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president note: President AZALI claimed a one-year term at the time of the coup; elections, in theory, should be held in the spring of 2000 but are likely to be dependent on the island of Anjouan remaining part of the federation election results: results of the last presidential election before the coup were: Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; percent of vote - 64.3%
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats: five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999 elections: Federal Assembly - last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA) election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RND 39, FNJ 3, independent 1 note: the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in opposition, but if no party accomplishes that, the second most successful party will be in opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supremes, two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one by the Council of each island, and former presidents of the republic
Political parties and leaders: Front National pour la Justice or FNJ(Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED, AhmedABOUBACAR, Soidiki M'BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour leDevelopment or RND (party of the government)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL,CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS(associate), ILO, IMF, InOC, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN) chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: (212) 983-4712
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Flag description: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
@Comoros:Economy
Economy - overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $410 million (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 0% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $725 (1998 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 5% services: 55% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1998)
Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $48 million expenditures: $53 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 15 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 86.67% hydro: 13.33% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 14 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Exports: $9.3 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports - commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners: France 43%, US 43%, Germany 7% (1997)
Imports: $49.5 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports - commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners: France 59%, South Africa 15%, Kenya 6% (1997)
Debt - external: $197 million (1997 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $28.1 million (1997)
Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 485.44 (January 2000), 461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36 (1995) note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 CFs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the CF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Comoros:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1995)
Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 90,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1998)
Televisions: 1,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)
@Comoros:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: 4 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)
@Comoros:Military
Military branches: Comoran Security Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 136,914 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 81,477 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@Comoros:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede from Comoros
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@Cook Islands:Introduction
Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
@Cook Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 240 sq km land: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 78% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
@Cook Islands:People
Population: 20,407 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.6% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 22.18 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.14 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic groups: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Religions: Christian (majority of populace are members of the CookIslands Christian Church)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
@Cook Islands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands
Data code: CW
Dependency status: self-governing in free association with NewZealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; NewZealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultationwith the Cook Islands
Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital: Avarua
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August (1965)
Constitution: 4 August 1965
Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister note: ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party or CIP [JoeWILLIAMS]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP ; NewAlliance Party or NAP
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate),FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW,Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
@Cook Islands:Economy
Economy - overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit-processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. Efforts to exploit tourism potential, encourage offshore banking, and expand the mining and fishing industries have been partially successful in stimulating investment and growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $112 million (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,600 (1998 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 9% services: 73% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 6,601 (1993)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% (1995)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: fruit processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 15 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 14 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee
Exports: $4.2 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners: NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong (1993)
Imports: $85 million (c.i.f., 1994)