______________________________________________________________________
@Howland Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 1.6 sq km land: 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6.4 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 5% other: 95%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998)
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
@Howland Island:People
Population: uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2000 est.)
@Howland Island:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island
Data code: HQ
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
@Howland Island:Economy
Economy - overview: no economic activity
@Howland Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable
Transportation - note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART
@Howland Island:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
@Howland Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Hungary:Introduction
Background: Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed in World War I. It fell under communist rule following World War II. A revolt in 1956 and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact was met with massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.
@Hungary:Geography
Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 93,030 sq km land: 92,340 sq km water: 690 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 2,009 kmborder countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km,Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on theSlovakian border
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Land use: arable land: 51% permanent crops: 3.6% permanent pastures: 12.4% forests and woodland: 19% other: 14% (1999)
Irrigated land: 2,060 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment - current issues: the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of theSea
Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
@Hungary:People
Population: 10,138,844 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 878,661; female 834,607) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,407,368; female 3,535,818) 65 years and over: 15% (male 548,672; female 933,718) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.33% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 9.26 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 13.34 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.73 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: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.37 years male: 67 years female: 76.05 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic groups: Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%
Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 98% (1980 est.)
@Hungary:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag
Data code: HU
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Budapest
Administrative divisions: 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city**(fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*,Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*,Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves,Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*,Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*,Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*,Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas,Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg*
Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday: Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August (commemorates the coronation of King Stephen I in 1000 AD)
Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system
Legal system: rule of law based on Western model
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president since 2 May 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 6 July 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 19 June 1995 (next to be held before August 2000); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president election results: Arpad GONCZ reelected president; a total of 335 votes were cast by the National Assembly, Arpad GONCZ received 259; Viktor ORBAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 10 and 24 May 1998 (next to be held May/June 2002) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSZP 32.0%, FIDESZ 28.2%, FKGP 13.8%, SZDSZ 7.9%, MIEP 5.5%, MMP 4.1%, MDF 2.8%, KDNP 2.3%, MDNP 1.5%; seats by party - MSZP 134, FIDESZ 148, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 14, independent 1; note - the MDF won 17 single-member district seats; seating as of 1999 by party - MSZP 135, FIDESZ 146, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 12, independents 3, and 1 empty seat to be filled in a byelection
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by theNational Assembly for nine-year terms
Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Free Democrats or SZDSZ; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP; Hungarian Civic Party or FIDESZ [LaszloKOVER, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID,chairman]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [ErzsebetPUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [IstvanCSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP [Laszlo KOVACS,chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP ;Independent Smallholders or FKGP
International organization participation: ABEDA, Australia Group, BIS,CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO,NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU,UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Geza JESZENSZKY chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 362-6730 FAX: (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. TUFO embassy: V. 1054 Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: (1) 475-4400, 475-4703 (after hours) FAX: (1) 475-4764
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
@Hungary:Economy
Economy - overview: Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. Over 85% of the economy has been privatized. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms has been widespread with cumulative foreign direct investment $21 billion by 1999. Hungarian sovereign debt is now rated investment grade. GDP growth of 4% in 1999 will likely be matched or even exceeded in 2000. Inflation, while diminished, is still high at 10%. Economic reform measures include regional development, encouragement of small- and medium-size enterprises, and support of housing.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $79.4 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,800 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 30% services: 65% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 25.3% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 24% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 4.2 million (1997)
Labor force - by occupation: services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $13.5 billion expenditures: $15.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 35.104 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61% hydro: 1% nuclear: 38% other: 0% (1999 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 33.317 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 3.3 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 3.97 billion kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products
Exports: $22.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 51.9%, other manufactures 32.7%, agriculture and food products 10.5%, raw materials 2.9%, fuels and electricity 1.9% (1998)
Exports - partners: Germany 37%, Austria 11%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5% (1998)
Imports: $25.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 46.5%, other manufactures 40.2%, fuels and electricity 6.6%, agricultural and food products 3.7%, raw materials 3.0% (1998)
Imports - partners: Germany 28%, Austria 10%, Italy 8%, Russia 7% (1998)
Debt - external: $27 billion (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $122.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler
Exchange rates: forints per US$1 - 251.150 (January 2000), 237.146 (1999), 214.402 (1998), 186.789 (1997), 152.647 (1996), 125.681 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Hungary:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 1.893 million (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.269 million (1995)
Telephone system: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios: 7.01 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 39 (plus several low-power stations) (1997)
Televisions: 4.42 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (1999)
@Hungary:Transportation
Railways: total: 7,606 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,394 km 1.435-m gauge (2,270 km electrified; 1,236 km double track) narrow gauge: 176 km 0.760-m gauge (1998) note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage the cross-border standard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) a distance of about 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria
Highways: total: 188,203 km paved: 81,680 km (including 438 km of expressways) unpaved: 106,523 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 1,373 km permanently navigable (1997)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)
Ports and harbors: Budapest, Dunaujvaros
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,949 GRT/14,550 DWT ships by type: cargo 2 (1999 est.)
Airports: 43 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 7 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 5 (1999 est.)
@Hungary:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Border Guard
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,588,365 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,062,565 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 67,160 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $732.2 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY99)
@Hungary:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: ongoing Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia
Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and transit point for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamines and methamphetamines
______________________________________________________________________
@Iceland:Introduction
Background: Settled by Norwegians and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries, Iceland boasts the world's oldest parliament, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Limited home rule was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
@Iceland:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total: 103,000 sq km land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,988 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: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 23% forests and woodland: 1% other: 76% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment - current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
@Iceland:People
Population: 276,365 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 33,119; female 31,222) 15-64 years: 65% (male 90,599; female 88,982) 65 years and over: 12% (male 14,555; female 17,888) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.57% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 14.86 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 6.87 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.39 years male: 77.19 years female: 81.77 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians andCelts
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and RomanCatholic, none (1997)
Languages: Icelandic
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% (1997 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
@Iceland:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local long form: Lyoveldio Island local short form: Island
Data code: IC
Government type: constitutional republic
Capital: Reykjavik
Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*,Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla,Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*,Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla,Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la,Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*,Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla,Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla,Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla,Vestur-Skaftafellssysla
Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17June (1944)
Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; percent of vote - 41.4%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Haestirettur, justices are appointed for life by the president
Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative) or IP; National Awakening (People's Revival Party) or PR; People's Alliance (left socialist) or PA; People's Movement (centrist) ;Progressive Party (liberal) or PP ; SocialDemocratic Party or SDP ; Women's Party or WLInternational organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CBSS,CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW,OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WEU(associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jon-Baldvin HANNIBALSSON chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 265-6653 FAX: (202) 265-6656 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara GRIFFITHS embassy: Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone: 5629100 FAX: 5629118
Flag description: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
@Iceland:Economy
Economy - overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. The economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale-watching. Growth is likely to slow in 2000, to a still respectable 3.5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.42 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,500 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% (includes fishing 13%) industry: 21% services: 64% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 131,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 12.9%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5%, agriculture 5.1% (1999)
Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1999 est.)
Industries: fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 6.187 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.06% hydro: 89.88% nuclear: 0% other: 10.06% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 5.754 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish
Exports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite and ferrosilicon
Exports - partners: EU 65% (UK 19%, Germany 15%, France 7%, Denmark 6%), US 13%, Japan 5% (1998)
Imports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners: EU 56% (Germany 12%, UK 10%, Norway 9%, Denmark 8%, Sweden 6%), US 11% (1998)
Debt - external: $2.6 billion (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar
Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 72.334 (January 2000), 72.352 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997), 66.500 (1996), 64.692 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Iceland:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 162,310 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 65,746 (1997)
Telephone system: adequate domestic service domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 260,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 98,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 14 (1999)
@Iceland:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 12,689 km paved: 3,439 km unpaved: 9,250 km (1998 est.)
Ports and harbors: Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik,Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar
Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,085 GRT/16,938 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 86 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 74 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 52 (1999 est.)
@Iceland:Military
Military branches: no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; note- Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic DefenseForce (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 71,486 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 62,990 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $0
Military - note: Iceland's defense is provided by the US-mannedIcelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
@Iceland:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
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@India:Introduction
Background: Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output.
@India:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay ofBengal, between Burma and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 3,287,590 sq km land: 2,973,190 sq km water: 314,400 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 14,103 kmborder countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km,China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km
Coastline: 7,000 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: 12 nm
Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m
Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land
Land use: arable land: 56% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 23% other: 16% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 480,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; earthquakes
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near importantIndian Ocean trade routes
@India:People
Population: 1,014,003,817 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 175,228,164; female 165,190,951) 15-64 years: 62% (male 324,699,562; female 301,821,383) 65 years and over: 4% (male 23,925,371; female 23,138,386) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.58% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 24.79 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 8.88 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 64.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.5 years male: 61.89 years female: 63.13 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.11 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian
Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%
Religions: Hindu 80%, Muslim 14%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2%, Buddhist 0.7%, Jains 0.5%, other 0.4%
Languages: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people, Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official), Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani (a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India) note: 24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52% male: 65.5% female: 37.7% (1995 est.)
@India:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India
Data code: IN
Government type: federal republic
Capital: New Delhi
Administrative divisions: 25 states and 7 union territories*; Andamanand Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,Chandigarh*, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa,Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka,Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya,Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim,Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 26January (1950)
Constitution: 26 January 1950
Legal system: based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Kicheril Raman NARAYANAN (since 25 July 1997); Vice President Krishnan KANT (since 21 August 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Atal Behari VAJPAYEE (since 19 March 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term; election last held 14 July 1997 (next to be held NA July 2002); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 16 August 1997 (next to be held NA August 2002); prime minister elected by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held NA October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: Kicheril Raman NARAYANAN elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA; Krishnan KANT elected vice president; percent of Parliament vote - NA; Atal Behari VAJPAYEE elected prime minister; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to 12 of which are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 5 September through 3 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - BJP alliance 40.8%, Congress alliance 33.8%, other 25.4%; seats by party - BJP alliance 304, Congress alliance 134, other 105
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65
Political parties and leaders: Akali Dal (representing Sikh religiouscommunity in Punjab) ; All India Anna DravidaMunnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK ; All India Forward Blocor AIFB [Prem Dutta PALIWAL (chairman), Chitta BASU (generalsecretary)]; Asom Gana Parishad ; BahujanSamaj Party or BSP ; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP; BiharPeoples Party ; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [NavinPATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI ; CommunistParty of India/Marxist or CPI/M ; CommunistParty of India/Marxist-Leninist or CPI/ML ; Congress (I)Party ; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (aregional party in Tamil Nadu) ; Indian National League; Janata Dal (Ajit) ; Janata Dal UnitedParty or JDU ; Kerala Congress(Mani faction) ; Muslim League ; NationalConference or NC (a regional party in Jammu and Kashmir) [FarooqABDULLAH]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD ;Revolutionary Socialist Party or RSP ; SamajwadiParty or SP ; Samata Party or SAP(formerly Janata Dal members) ; Shiv Sena or SHS; Tamil Maanila Congress ; Telugu Desam(a regional party in Andhra Pradesh) ; TrinamoolCongress
Political pressure groups and leaders: numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy
International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, BIS, C, CCC, CP,ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN,UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK,UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Naresh CHANDRA chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Embassy located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 939-7000 FAX: (202) 483-3972 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard F. CELESTE embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021, New Delhi mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: (11) 688-9033, 611-3033 FAX: (11) 419-0017 consulate(s) general: Calcutta, Chennai (Madras), Mumbai (Bombay)
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band
@India:Economy
Economy - overview: India's economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. More than a third of the population is too poor to be able to afford an adequate diet, and market surveys indicate that fewer than 5% of all households had an annual income equivalent to $2,300 or more in 1995-96. India's international payments position remained strong in 1999 with adequate foreign exchange reserves, reasonably stable exchange rates, and booming exports of software services. Lower production of some nonfoodgrain crops offset recovery in industrial production. Strong demand for India's high technology exports will bolster growth in 2000.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.805 trillion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 30% services: 45% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 35% (1994 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 25% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (1999 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 67%, services 18%, industry 15% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $35.8 billion expenditures: $66.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $15.9 billion (FY98/99 est.)
Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 448.6 billion kWh (FY98/99 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 80.34% hydro: 17.08% nuclear: 2.38% other: 0.2% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 416.346 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 130 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 1.575 billion kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish
Exports: $36.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures
Exports - partners: US 21%, UK 6%, Germany 6%, Hong Kong 5%, Japan 5%,UAE 4% (1998)
Imports: $50.2 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals
Imports - partners: US 10%, Belgium 7%, UK 6%, Germany 6%, SaudiArabia 6%, Japan 6% (1998)
Debt - external: $98 billion (March 1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $2.9 billion (FY98/99)
Currency: 1 Indian rupee (Re) = 100 paise
Exchange rates: Indian rupees (Rs) per US$1 - 43.552 (January 2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@India:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 18.95 million (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.9 million (April 1998)
Telephone system: mediocre service; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; major objective is to continue to expand and modernize long-distance network in order to keep pace with rapidly growing number of local subscriber lines; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but demand for communication services is also growing rapidly domestic: local service is provided by microwave radio relay and coaxial cable, with open wire and obsolete electromechanical and manual switchboard systems still in use in rural areas; starting in the 1980s, a substantial amount of digital switch gear has been introduced for local and long-distance service; long-distance traffic is carried mostly by coaxial cable and low-capacity microwave radio relay; since 1985 significant trunk capacity has been added in the form of fiber-optic cable and a domestic satellite system with 254 earth stations; mobile cellular service is provided in four metropolitan cities international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gaidhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 4 submarine cables - LOCOM linking Chennai (Madras) to Penang; Indo-UAE-Gulf cable linking Mumbai (Bombay) to Al Fujayrah, UAE; India-SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-2 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay); Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998)
Radios: 116 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997)
Televisions: 63 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (1999)
@India:Transportation
Railways: total: 62,915 km (12,307 km electrified; 12,617 km double track) broad gauge: 40,620 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 18,501 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,794 km 0.762-m and 0.610-m gauge (1998 est.)
Highways: total: 3,319,644 km paved: 1,517,077 km unpaved: 1,802,567 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 16,180 km; 3,631 km navigable by large vessels
Pipelines: crude oil 3,005 km; petroleum products 2,687 km; natural gas 1,700 km (1995)
Ports and harbors: Calcutta, Chennai (Madras), Cochin, JawaharalNehru, Kandla, Mumbai (Bombay), Vishakhapatnam
Merchant marine: total: 321 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,647,268 GRT/11,074,025 DWT ships by type: bulk 124, cargo 69, chemical tanker 14, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 4, container 15, liquified gas 10, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 75, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 2 (1999 est.)
Airports: 346 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 238 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 84 914 to 1,523 m: 74 under 914 m: 19 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 108 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 47 under 914 m: 55 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 16 (1999 est.)
@India:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, and Rashtriya Rifles)
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 274,679,455 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 161,223,332 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 10,759,607 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $10.055 billion (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY00)
@India:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: boundary with China in dispute; status ofKashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems with Pakistan over theIndus River (Wular Barrage); a portion of the boundary with Bangladeshis indefinite; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South TalpattyIsland
Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; major transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of hashish and methaqualone
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@Indian Ocean:Introduction
Background: A spring 2000 decision by the International Hydrographic Organization delimited a fifth world ocean from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The new ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Indian Ocean remains the third-largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean).
@Indian Ocean:Geography
Location: body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, andAustralia
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 80 00 E
Map references: World
Area: total: 68.556 million sq km note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative: about 5.5 times the size of the US
Coastline: 66,526 km
Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon(June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June andOctober/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February inthe southern Indian Ocean
Terrain: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules
Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
Geography - note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait ofHormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and theLombok Strait
@Indian Ocean:Government
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for hydrographic codes - see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes appendix
@Indian Ocean:Economy
Economy - overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
@Indian Ocean:Transportation
Ports and harbors: Calcutta (India), Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo(Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Melbourne(Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa)
@Indian Ocean:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
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