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@Kuwait:Introduction
Background: Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion dollars to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.
@Kuwait:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq andSaudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 17,820 sq km land: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 464 km border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline: 499 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 8% forests and woodland: 0% other: 92% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
@Kuwait:People
Population: 1,973,572 note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.36% (male 295,102; female 284,327) 15-64 years: 68.32% (male 860,318; female 488,004) 65 years and over: 2.32% (male 29,544; female 16,277) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.44% (2000 est.) note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates
Birth rate: 22.04 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 14.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.76 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.5 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.08 years male: 75.27 years female: 76.92 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.26 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.6% male: 82.2% female: 74.9% (1995 est.)
@Kuwait:Government
Country name: conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt
Data code: KU
Government type: nominal constitutional monarchy
Capital: Kuwait
Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli
Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time
Executive branch: chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister SALIM al-Sabah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 7 October 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly
Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO,Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM,OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim Al SABAH chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 966-0702 FAX: (202) 966-0517
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James A. LAROCCO embassy: Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait; Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: 539-5307 or 539-5308 FAX: 538-0282
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
@Kuwait:Economy
Economy - overview: Kuwait is a small, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait lacks water and has practically no arable land, thus preventing development of agriculture. With the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices reduced the budget deficit from $5.5 billion to $3 billion in 1999, and prices are expected to remain relatively strong throughout 2000. The government is proceeding slowly with reforms. It inaugurated Kuwait's first free-trade zone in 1999 and will continue discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $44.8 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $22,500 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 55% services: 45% (1996)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 1.3 million (1998 est.) note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: government and social services 50%, services 40%, industry and agriculture 10% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (official 1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $10 billion expenditures: $13 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials, salt, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production: 26.995 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 25.105 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: practically no crops; fish
Exports: $13.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners: Japan 24%, India 16%, US 13%, South Korea 11%,Singapore 8% (1997)
Imports: $8.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners: US 22%, Japan 15%, UK 13%, Germany 8%, Italy 6% (1997)
Debt - external: $9.27 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $27.6 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.3042 (January 2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996), 0.2984 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Kuwait:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 411,600 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 150,000 (1996)
Telephone system: the civil network suffered some damage as a result of the Gulf war, but most of the telephone exchanges were left intact and, by the end of 1994, domestic and international telecommunications had been restored to normal operation; the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones; approximately 15,000 Internet subscribers in 1996 international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 1.175 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)
Televisions: 875,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (1999)
@Kuwait:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 4,450 km paved: 3,590 km unpaved: 860 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km
Ports and harbors: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'AbdAllah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Merchant marine: total: 48 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,506,448 GRT/4,040,921 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 9, container 6, liquified gas 7, livestock carrier 4, petroleum tanker 21 (1999 est.)
Airports: 7 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1999 est.)
@Kuwait:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force,National Guard, Coast Guard
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 749,252 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 446,518 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 17,919 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.518 billion (FY99/00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 8% (FY99/00)
@Kuwait:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by Saudi Arabia
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@Kyrgyzstan:Introduction
Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, inter-ethnic relations, and terrorism.
@Kyrgyzstan:Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area: total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries: total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 44% forests and woodland: 4% other: 45% (1993 est.) note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked
@Kyrgyzstan:People
Population: 4,685,230 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 843,038; female 825,519) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,337,268; female 1,393,397) 65 years and over: 6% (male 107,405; female 178,603) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.43% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 26.29 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 9.15 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.37 years male: 59.06 years female: 67.9 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%
Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian - official language note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyzstani legislature amended the constitution to make Russian an official language, along with Kirghiz, in territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens predominate
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)
@Kyrgyzstan:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Government type: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblastlar (singular - oblast) and 1 city* (singular - shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993 note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Jumabek IBRAIMOV (since NA December 1998) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held November or December 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 75%; note - elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidates little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have orchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a major rival
Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held 20 February 2000); Legislative Assembly - last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held 20 February 2000) election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - not all of the 70 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly; Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president; Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party ; AgrarianParty of Kyrgyzstan ; Banner National Revival Party orASABA ; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan or PKK; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan orDDK ; Dignity Party ;Fatherland or Alta Mekel Party ; Justice Party; Kyrgyzstan Erkin Party (Democratic Movement ofFree Kyrgyzstan) or ErK ; Movement for thePeople's Salvation ; Mutual Help Movement orAshar ; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE; Peasant Party ; Republican PopularParty of Kyrgyzstan ; Social Democratic Party orPSD
Political pressure groups and leaders: Council of Free Trade Unions;Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights ; National UnityDemocratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs
International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE,ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent),ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, WTrO(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 338-5141 FAX: (202) 338-5139
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne M. SIGMUND embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: (3312) 22-29-20, 22-27-77 FAX: (3312) 22-35-51
Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
@Kyrgyzstan:Economy
Economy - overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat such severe problems as excessive external debt, inflation, inadequate revenue collection, and the spillover from Russia's economic disorders. Kyrgyzstan had moderate growth in 1999 of 3.4% with a similar rate expected for 2000.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.3 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.2% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 37% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $225 million expenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $11 million (1996 est.)
Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate: -3.4% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 12.206 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 10.78% hydro: 89.22% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 11.102 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 1.1 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 850 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Exports: $515 million (1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners: Germany 37%, Kazakhstan 17%, Russia 16%,Uzbekistan 8%, China 3% (1998)
Imports: $590 million (1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: oil and gas, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs
Imports - partners: Russia 24%, Uzbekistan 14%, Kazakhstan 9%, Germany 6%, China 5% (1998)
Debt - external: $1.1 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $329.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) = 100 tyiyn
Exchange rates: soms (KGS) per US$1 - 46.235 (January 2000), 39.008 (1999), 20.838 (1998), 17.362 (1997), 12.810 (1996), 10.822 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Kyrgyzstan:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 357,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios: 520,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)
Televisions: 210,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Kyrgyzstan:Transportation
Railways: total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways: total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 600 km (1990)
Pipelines: natural gas 200 km
Ports and harbors: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports: 54 (1994 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)
@Kyrgyzstan:Military
Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,172,899 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 951,395 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 48,551 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $12 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY99)
@Kyrgyzstan:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area; periodic target of Islamic terrorists from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia
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@Laos:Introduction
Background: In 1975 the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
@Laos:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:total: 5,083 kmborder countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season(December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 40% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1993 est.) note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
Environment - current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked
@Laos:People
Population: 5,497,459 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 1,191,608; female 1,173,144) 15-64 years: 54% (male 1,447,788; female 1,500,016) 65 years and over: 3% (male 85,028; female 99,875) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.5% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 38.29 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 13.35 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 94.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.09 years male: 51.22 years female: 55.02 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.21 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Religions: Buddhist 60% (in October 1999, the regime proposed a constitutional amendment making Buddhism the state religion; the National Assembly is expected to vote on the amendment sometime in 2000), animist and other 40%
Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57% male: 70% female: 44% (1999 est.)
@Laos:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none
Data code: LA
Government type: Communist state
Capital: Vientiane
Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of theLao People's Democratic Republic)
Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998); note - currently the position of vice president is vacant; Vice President OUDOM Khattiya died on 9 December 1999 and a replacement has not yet been named head of government: Prime Minister SISAVAT Keobounphan (since 26 February 1998); Senior Deputy Prime Minister BOUN-NHANG Vorachith (since 20 April 1996); Deputy Prime Ministers CHOUMMALI Saygnasone (since 26 February 1998), SOMSAVAT Lengsavad (since 26 February 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 99) elections: last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court, the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee
Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party orLPRP ; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders: noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CP,ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador VANG Rattanavong chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-6416 FAX: (202) 332-4923
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wendy Jean CHAMBERLIN embassy: Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: (21) 212581, 212582, 212585 FAX: (21) 212584
Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
@Laos:Economy
Economy - overview: The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-96. Since mid-1996, however, reform efforts have slowed, and the economy has suffered as a result. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade with Thailand, it was further damaged by the regional financial crisis beginning in 1997. From June 1997 to June 1999 the Lao kip lost 87%, and reached a crisis point in September 1999 when it fluctuated wildly, falling from 3,500 kip to the dollar to 9,000 kip to the dollar in a matter of weeks. Now that the currency has stabilized, however, the government seems content to let the current situation persist, despite 140% inflation in 1999 and limited foreign exchange reserves. A landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure, Laos has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil erosion will hamper efforts to attain a high rate of GDP growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 51% industry: 22% services: 27% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 46.1% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 26.4% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 140% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 1 million - 1.5 million
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.7% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $202.7 million expenditures: $385.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY97/98 est.)
Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments
Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 1.34 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.99% hydro: 97.01% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 514 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 782 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 50 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Exports: $271 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
Exports - partners: Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, France, Belgium
Imports: $497 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel
Imports - partners: Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, HongKong
Debt - external: $2.32 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $345 million (1999 est.)
Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at
Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1 - 7,674.00 (January 2000),7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997), 921.02 (1996), 804.69 (1995) note: as of September 1995, a floating exchange rate policy was adopted
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Laos:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 20,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,600 (1997)
Telephone system: service to general public is poor but improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: radiotelephone communications international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios: 730,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1999)
Televisions: 52,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Laos:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 21,716 km paved: 9,673.5 km unpaved: 12,042.5 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km
Ports and harbors: none
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 52 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 25 (1999 est.)
@Laos:Military
Military branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; includes militia element),Lao People's Navy (LPN; includes riverine element), Air Force,National Police Department
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,275,184 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 686,803 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 62,243 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $77 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.2% (FY96/97)
@Laos:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: parts of the border with Thailand are indefinite
Illicit drugs: world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 1999 - 21,800 hectares, a 16% decrease over 1998; estimated potential production in 1999 - 140 metric tons, about the same as in 1998); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamines produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis
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@Latvia:Introduction
Background: After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.
@Latvia:Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 64,589 sq km land: 64,589 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:total: 1,150 kmborder countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km,Russia 217 km
Coastline: 531 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land
Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 46% other: 14% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
@Latvia:People
Population: 2,404,926 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 212,483; female 203,417) 15-64 years: 68% (male 777,289; female 849,967) 65 years and over: 15% (male 116,575; female 245,195) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.84% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 7.8 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 14.88 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.32 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: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.41 years male: 62.48 years female: 74.62 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups: Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%,Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 99% (1989 est.)
@Latvia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LG
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Riga
Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons,Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, DobelesRajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons,Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, LiepajasRajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons,Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, SaldusRajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons,Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
Constitution: the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch: chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (amended from a three-year term on 4 December 1997); election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms - amended from three-year terms on 4 December 1997) elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 8%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TSP 16, TB/LNNK 17, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed byParliament
Political parties and leaders: Anticommunist Union or PA [P.MUCENIEKS]; Association of Latvian Social Democrats [Juris BOJARS,Janis ADAMSONS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS ;Christian People's Party or KTP (formerly People's Front of Latvia orLTF) ; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [ZiedonisCEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB ,merged with LNNK; Green Party or LZP ; LatvianLiberal Party or LLP ; Latvian National Conservative Partyor LNNK ; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (SocialDemocrats) or LSDSP ; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP; Latvian Unity Party or LVP ;Latvia's Way or LC ; National Harmony Party or TSP; New Party ; "Our Land" or MZ [M.DAMBEKALNE]; Party for the Defense of Latvia's Defrauded People; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V.IVANOV]; Political Association of the Underprivileged or MPA [B.PELSE, V. DIMANTS, J. KALNINS]; Political Union of Economists or TPA; People's Party
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC,EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer),OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associatepartner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: (202) 726-8213, 8214 FAX: (202) 726-6785
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: 721-0005 FAX: 782-0047
Flag description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
@Latvia:Economy
Economy - overview: In 1999 Latvia, a transitional economy, experienced zero GDP growth as it continued to feel the impact of the August 1998 Russian financial crisis. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - band was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment reached 9.6% in 1999, up from 9.2% in 1998 and 6.7% in 1997. Privatization of large state-owned utilities, especially the energy sector, faced more delays in 1999, but is expected to accelerate in the next two years. Latvia projects 3.5% GDP growth, 3% inflation, and a 2% fiscal deficit in 2000. Preparing for EU membership by 2003 remains a top foreign policy priority.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.8 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 0% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,200 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 29% services: 63% (1998)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.1% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 1.4 million (1997)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 16%, industry 41%, services 43% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.33 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products
Industrial production growth rate: -5% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 4.766 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.58% hydro: 70.42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 4.882 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 400 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 850 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Exports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners: Germany 16%, UK 14%, Russia 12%, Sweden 10% (1998)
Imports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels
Imports - partners: Germany 17%, Russia 12%, Finland 10%, Sweden 7% (1998)
Debt - external: $212 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient: $96.2 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Latvian lat (LVL) = 100 santims
Exchange rates: lats (LVL) per US$1 - 0.583 (January 2000),0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996), 0.528 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Latvia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 748,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 175,348 (1999)
Telephone system: inadequate but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 1.76 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 74 (1998)
Televisions: 1.22 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 11 (1999)
@Latvia:Transportation
Railways: total: 2,412 km broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 59,178 km paved: 22,843 km unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 300 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Merchant marine: total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 58,699 GRT/64,043 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 6 (1999 est.)
Airports: 50 (1994 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 27 (1994 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.)
@Latvia:Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces,Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 590,236 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 463,254 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 18,239 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $60 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY99)
@Latvia:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamines, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export
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