@Dominica:Introduction
Background: Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years.
@Dominica:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 15 25 N, 61 20 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 754 sq km land: 754 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than four times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 148 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, arable land
Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 67% other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Dominica:People
Population: 71,540 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% (male 10,556; female 10,254) 15-64 years: 63% (male 23,151; female 21,984) 65 years and over: 8% (male 2,294; female 3,301) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.14% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 18.27 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -22.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.35 years male: 70.5 years female: 76.36 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.05 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groups: black, Carib Amerindian
Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (1970 est.)
@Dominica:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica
Data code: DO
Government type: parliamentary democracy; republic within theCommonwealth
Capital: Roseau
Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David,Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, SaintPatrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution: 3 November 1978
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Vernon Lorden SHAW (since 7 October 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt DOUGLAS (since 2 February 2000) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 7 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vernon Lorden SHAW elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote representatives; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 31 January 2000 (next to be held by NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 10, UWP 9, DFP 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (located in Saint Lucia), one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [CharlesSAVARIN]; Labor Party of Dominica or LPD ; UnitedWorkers Party or UWP
Political pressure groups and leaders: Dominica Liberation Movement orDLM (a small leftist party)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (resident in Dominica) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: (202) 364-6781 FAX: (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; US interests are served by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados
Flag description: green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
@Dominica:Economy
Economy - overview: The economy depends on agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions, notably tropical storms. Agriculture, primarily bananas, accounts for 21% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the lack of an international airport. Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in September 1995; tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as well. The economy's recovery continued in 1998, fueled by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals. The government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's production base.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $225 million (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,400 (1998 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21% industry: 16% services: 63% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (1998)
Labor force: 25,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $72 million expenditures: $79.9 million, including capital expenditures of $11.5 million (FY97/98)
Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production: 40 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50% hydro: 50% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 37 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited
Exports: $60.8 million (1998)
Exports - commodities: bananas 50%, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
Exports - partners: Caricom countries 47%, UK 36%, US 7% (1996 est.)
Imports: $120.4 million (1998)
Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners: US 41%, Caricom countries 25%, UK 13%,Netherlands, Canada (1996 est.)
Debt - external: $90 million (1998 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $24.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Dominica:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 18,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: domestic: fully automatic network international: microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 46,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (however, there is one cable television company) (1997)
Televisions: 6,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Dominica:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Portsmouth, Roseau
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1999 est.)
@Dominica:Military
Military branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includesSpecial Service Unit, Coast Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@Dominica:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer; banking industry is vulnerable to money laundering
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@Dominican Republic:Introduction
Background: A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of the 20th century was brought to an end in 1996 when free and open elections ushered in a new government.
@Dominican Republic:Geography
Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 48,730 sq km land: 48,380 sq km water: 350 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total: 275 km border countries: Haiti 275 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 6 nm
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m
Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 43% forests and woodland: 12% other: 15% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,300 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation; Hurricane Georges damage
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)
@Dominican Republic:People
Population: 8,442,533 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 1,486,902; female 1,422,977) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,609,934; female 2,518,330) 65 years and over: 5% (male 192,254; female 212,136) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.64% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 25.15 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.2 years male: 71.12 years female: 75.38 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groups: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.1% male: 82% female: 82.2% (1995 est.)
@Dominican Republic:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: none
Data code: DR
Government type: representative democracy
Capital: Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona,Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat,Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, MariaTrinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata,Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez,San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, SantiagoRodriguez, Valverde
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: 28 November 1966
Legal system: based on French civil codes
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch: chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 1996); Vice President Jaime David FERNANDEZ Mirabal (since 16 August 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 1996); Vice President Jaime David FERNANDEZ Mirabal (since 16 August 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term; election last held 16 May 1996, runoff election held 30 June 1996 (next to be held 16 May 2000) election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna elected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (PLD) 51.25%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 48.75%
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (149 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 24, PLD 3, PRSC 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 83, PLD 49, PRSC 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema, judges are elected by a Council made up of legislative and executive members with the president presiding
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy Party or APD;Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union or UPA ;Democratic Quisqueyan Party or PQD ; DemocraticUnion or UD ; Dominican Communist Party orPCD ; Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Jose TomasPEREZ]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD ;Dominican Worker's Party or PTD ; IndependentRevolutionary Party or PRI ; Liberal Party of the DominicanRepublic or PLRD ; National Progressive Force orFNP ; National Veterans and Civilian Party or PNVC; Popular Christian Party or PPC [RogelioDELGADO Bogaert]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [JoaquinBALAGUER Ricardo]note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined toform the Dominican Leftist Front or FID; however, they still retainindividual party structures
Political pressure groups and leaders: Collective of PopularOrganizations or COP
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer),ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS,OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto Bienvenido SALADIN Selin chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-6280 FAX: (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles MANATT embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: (809) 221-2171 FAX: (809) 686-7437
Flag description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
@Dominican Republic:Economy
Economy - overview: In December 1996, incoming President FERNANDEZ presented a bold reform package for this Caribbean economy - including the devaluation of the peso, income tax cuts, a 50% increase in sales taxes, reduced import tariffs, and increased gasoline prices - in an attempt to create a market-oriented economy that can compete internationally. Even though most reforms are stalled in the legislature - including the intellectual property rights bill, social security reform, and a new electricity law first submitted in 1993 - the economy has grown vigorously under FERNANDEZ's administration. Construction, tourism and telecommunications are leading the advance. The government is working to increase electric generating capacity, a key to continued economic growth; the state electricity company was finally privatized following numerous delays. The continuation of this vigorous growth in 2000 will depend on the policies adopted by the new administration.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $43.7 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 8.3% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,400 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.6% industry: 30.8% services: 55.6% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: 25% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 39.6% (1989)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (1999)
Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million
Labor force - by occupation: services and government 58.7%, industry 24.3%, agriculture 17% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: 13.8% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $867 million (1999 est.)
Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity - production: 8.476 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 72.04% hydro: 27.62% nuclear: 0% other: 0.34% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 7.883 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs
Exports: $5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats
Exports - partners: US 61.6%, Belgium 11.1%, Asia 5.9%, Canada 2.9% (1998 est.)
Imports: $8.2 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners: US 56%, Venezuela 23%, Mexico 9%, Japan 4% (1999 est.)
Debt - external: $3.7 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $239.6 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 16.161 (January 2000), 16.033 (1999), 15.267 (1998), 14.265 (1997), 13.775 (1996), 13.597 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Dominican Republic:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 569,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 33,000 (1995)
Telephone system: domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave radio relay network international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios: 1.44 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 25 (1997)
Televisions: 770,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)
@Dominican Republic:Transportation
Railways: total: 757 km standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad) narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominican Republic Government Railway); 240 km operated by sugar companies in various gauges (0.558-m, 0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges) (1995)
Highways: total: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports and harbors: Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro deMacoris, Santo Domingo
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 28 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (1999 est.)
@Dominican Republic:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,239,309 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,405,845 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 86,569 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $180 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY98)
@Dominican Republic:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
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@Ecuador:Introduction
Background: The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999.
@Ecuador:Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at theEquator, between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W
Map references: South America
Area: total: 283,560 sq km land: 276,840 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Nevada
Land boundaries: total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,237 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 56% other: 15% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,560 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
@Ecuador:People
Population: 12,920,092 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.23% (male 2,379,541; female 2,301,543) 15-64 years: 59.4% (male 3,794,515; female 3,880,367) 65 years and over: 4.37% (male 262,701; female 301,425) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.04% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 26.51 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.06 years male: 68.26 years female: 73.99 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.18 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and Spanish) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especiallyQuechua)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.1% male: 92% female: 88.2% (1995 est.)
@Ecuador:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador
Data code: EC
Government type: republic
Capital: Quito
Administrative divisions: 22 provinces (provincias, singular -provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, ElOro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi,Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence ofQuito)
Constitution: 10 August 1998
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch: chief of state: President Gustavo NOBOA (since 22 January 2000) following coup which deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO (since 28 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gustavo NOBOA (since 22 January 2000) following coup which deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO (since 28 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (no reelection); election last held 31 May 1998; runoff election held 12 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: results of the last election prior to the coup were: Jamil MAHUAD elected president; percent of vote - 51% note: a military-indigenous coup toppled democratically elected President Jamil MAHAUD on 21 January 2000; the military quickly handed power over to Vice President Gustavo NOBOA on 22 January; Congress then elected a new vice president from a slate of candidates submitted by NOBOA; the new administration is scheduled to complete the remainder of MAHAUD's term, due to expire in January 2003
Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (121 seats; 79 members are popularly elected at-large nationally to serve four-year terms; 42 members are popularly elected by province - two per province - for four-year terms) elections: last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DP 32, PSC 27, PRE 24, ID 18, P-NP 9, FRA 5, PCE 3, MPD 2, CFP 1; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP; Democratic Left or ID ;Ecuadorian Conservative Party or PCE ; Pachakutik-NewCountry or P-NP ; Popular Democracy orDP ; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Jaime HURTADOGonzalez]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA ;Roldosist Party or PRE ; SocialChristian Party or PSCnote: political blocs include: far left - MPD; populist - CFP andP-NP; populist left - PRE; center left - ID, DP, and FRA; center right- PSC and PCE
Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of IndigenousNationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE
International organization participation: CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77,IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ivonne A-BAKI chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-7200 FAX: (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gwen CLARE embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone: (2) 562-890 FAX: (2) 502-052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
@Ecuador:Economy
Economy - overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. In recent years, growth has been uneven due to ill-conceived fiscal stabilization measures. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador's economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which eventually forced a desperate government to dollarize the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. The new president, Gustavo NOBOA has yet to complete negotiations for a long sought IMF accord. He will find it difficult to push through the reforms necessary to make dollarization work in the long-run.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $54.5 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -8% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 36% services: 50% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 50% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 37.6% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 59.9% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 4.2 million
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 12% with widespread underemployment (November 1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: planned $5.1 billion (not including revenue from potential privatizations) expenditures: $5.1 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production: 9.657 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 27.96% hydro: 72.04% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 8.981 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp
Exports: $4.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish
Exports - partners: US 39%, Colombia 7%, Italy 6%, Peru 5%, Chile 3% (1998)
Imports: $2.8 billion (c.i.f., 1999)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods
Imports - partners: US 39%, Colombia 11%, Japan 9%, Venezuela 5%,Mexico 3% (1998)
Debt - external: $15.3 billion (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $695.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 24,860.7 (January 2000), 11,786.8 (1999), 5,446.6 (1998), 3,988.3 (1997), 3,189.5 (1996), 2,564.5 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Ecuador:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 748,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 49,776 (1995)
Telephone system: domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 392, FM 27, shortwave 29 (1998)
Radios: 4.15 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 15 (including one station on theGalapagos Islands) (1997)
Televisions: 1.55 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (1999)
@Ecuador:Transportation
Railways: total: 812 km (single track) narrow gauge: 812 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 43,197 km paved: 8,165 km unpaved: 35,032 km (1999 est.)
Waterways: 1,500 km
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports and harbors: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, PuertoBolivar, San Lorenzo
Merchant marine: total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 233,151 GRT/388,750 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 2, liquified gas 1, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 22 (1999 est.)
Airports: 182 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 57 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 20 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 89 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1999 est.)
@Ecuador:Military
Military branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (ArmadaEcuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana),National Police (Policia Nacional)
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,296,678 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,224,033 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 130,869 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $720 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (FY98)
@Ecuador:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: demarcation of the agreed-upon border withPeru was completed in May 1999
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for cocaine and derivatives of coca originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub; increased activity on frontiers by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents
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@Egypt:Introduction
Background: Nominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world) will continue to stress Egyptian society and overtax resources as the country enters the new millennium.
@Egypt:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenLibya and the Gaza Strip
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of NewMexico
Land boundaries:total: 2,689 kmborder countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km,Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 98% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 32,460 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resources
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
@Egypt:People
Population: 68,359,979 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 12,260,343; female 11,701,253) 15-64 years: 61% (male 21,111,615; female 20,714,511) 65 years and over: 4% (male 1,131,760; female 1,440,497) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.72% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 25.38 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 7.83 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 62.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.33 years male: 61.29 years female: 65.47 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.15 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, andBerbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarilyItalian and French) 1%
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.4% male: 63.6% female: 38.8% (1995 est.)
@Egypt:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Data code: EG
Government type: republic
Capital: Cairo
Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular -muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum,Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah,Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah,As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina',Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj
Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution: 11 September 1971
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Atef OBEID (since 5 October 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president nominated by the People's Assembly for a six-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national, popular referendum; national referendum last held 26 September 1999 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: national referendum validated President MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a fourth term
Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 29 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 2000); Advisory Council - last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NDP 72%, independents 25%, opposition 3%; seats by party - NDP 317, independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist Arab Democratic Party 1, LSP 1; Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Unionist Party [Mohammed'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK]; Green Party ; Misr al-Fatah Party(Young Egypt Party) ; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party [Dia'al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP [President MohammedHosni MUBARAK, leader] - governing party; National ProgressiveUnionist Grouping or NPUG ; New Wafd Party or NWP; Social Justice Party ;Socialist Labor Party or SLP ; Socialist Liberal Partyor LSP ; Umma Partynote: formation of political parties must be approved by government
Political pressure groups and leaders: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more aggressively in the past six years to block its influence; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT(associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CCC, EBRD,ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS(observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nabil FAHMY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 895-5400 FAX: (202) 244-4319, 5131 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER embassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, APO AE 09839-4900 telephone: (2) 3557371 FAX: (2) 3573200
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band
@Egypt:Economy
Economy - overview: A series of IMF arrangements - coupled with massive external debt relief resulting from Egypt's participation in the Gulf war coalition - helped Egypt improve its macroeconomic performance during the 1990s. Through sound fiscal and monetary policies, Cairo tamed inflation, slashed budget deficits, and built up foreign reserves. Although the pace of structural reforms - such as privatization and new business legislation - has been slower than the IMF envisioned, Egypt's steps toward a more market-oriented economy have prompted increased foreign investment. Lower combined hard currency inflows - from tourism, worker remittances, oil revenues, and Suez Canal tolls - in 1998 and the first half of 1999 resulted in pressure on the Egyptian pound and sporadic dollar shortages, but external payments were not in crisis. Despite ample reserves, the Central Bank did not provide sufficient hard currency to commercial banks and Cairo restricted imports for a short period; these developments confirmed to some investors and currency traders that government financial operations lack sufficient coordination and openness. Monetary pressures have since eased, however, with the continued oil price recovery starting in mid-1999 and a moderate rebound in tourism. Increased gas exports are a major plus factor in future growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $200 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 32% services: 51% (1999)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 26.7% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1999)
Labor force: 19 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 40%, services 38%, industry 22% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11.8% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $20.7 billion expenditures: $22.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99)
Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 57.8 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 78.72% hydro: 21.28% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 53.754 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; fish
Exports: $4.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
Exports - partners: EU 47%, US 14%, Turkey 8% (1998)
Imports: $15.8 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels
Imports - partners: EU 42%, US 16%, Japan 5% (1998)
Debt - external: $30 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $2.25 billion (1999)
Currency: 1 Egyptian pound = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds per US$1 - market rate - 3.4050 (January 2000), 3.4050 (1999), 3.3880 (1998), 3.3880 (1997), 3.3880 (1996), 3.3900 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Egypt:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 3.168 million (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 380,000 (1999)
Telephone system: large system by Third World standards but inadequate for present requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading; Internet access available domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel and a signatory to Project Oxygen (a global submarine fiber-optic cable system)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 42 (plus 15 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999)
Radios: 20.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 51 (September 1995)
Televisions: 7.7 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 31 (1999)
@Egypt:Transportation
Railways: total: 4,955 km standard gauge: 4,955 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 1,560 km double track)
Highways: total: 64,000 km paved: 49,984 km unpaved: 14,016 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km (including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water
Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km
Ports and harbors: Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, BurSafajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez
Merchant marine: total: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,348,148 GRT/2,014,483 DWT ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 63, container 1, liquified gas 1, passenger 57, petroleum tanker 14, roll-on/roll-off 16, short-sea passenger 3 (1999 est.)
Airports: 90 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 71 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1999 est.)
@Egypt:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 18,164,353 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 11,766,949 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 704,373 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.28 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 8.2% (FY95/96)
@Egypt:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899
Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriers
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