Waterways: 50 km Mono river
Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 56,332 GRT/97,443 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 9 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
@Togo:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,131,451 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 593,589 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $27 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY96)
@Togo:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers
______________________________________________________________________
@Tokelau:Introduction
Background: Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925.
@Tokelau:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of three islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt
Environment - current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand
@Tokelau:People
Population: 1,458 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.89% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan
Ethnic groups: Polynesian
Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%,other 2%note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; onNukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with theCongregational Christian Church predominant
Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English
@Tokelau:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau
Data code: TL
Dependency status: territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with Wellington
Government type: NA
Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center
Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)
Independence: none (territory of New Zealand)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
Legal system: British and local statutes
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) head of government: Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders, one from each atoll; functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term
Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (45 seats - 15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono
Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand)
Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used
@Tokelau:Economy
Economy - overview: Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.)
Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Electricity - exports: NA kWh
Electricity - imports: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats
Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983)
Exports - commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts
Exports - partners: NZ
Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
Imports - partners: NZ
Debt - external: $0
Economic aid - recipient: $3.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9451 (January 2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Tokelau:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: NA
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1999)
Telephone system: domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite earth stations, established in 1997
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of unknown type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports (1998)
Radios: 1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: 0 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Tokelau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Samoa
@Tokelau:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
@Tokelau:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Tonga:Introduction
Background: The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
@Tonga:Geography
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 748 sq km land: 718 sq km water: 30 sq km
Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 419 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December toMay), cool season (May to December)
Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Natural resources: fish, fertile soil
Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 43% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 11% other: 16% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Environment - current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)
@Tonga:People
Population: 102,321 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.52% (male 21,633; female 20,850) 15-64 years: 54.43% (male 27,419; female 28,274) 65 years and over: 4.05% (male 1,877; female 2,268) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.91% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 24.92 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.86 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 14.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.94 years male: 65.54 years female: 70.45 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan
Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Languages: Tongan, English
Literacy: definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.5% male: 98.4% female: 98.7% (1996 est.)
@Tonga:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands
Data code: TN
Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Nuku'alofa
Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu,Vava'u
Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)
National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Legal system: based on English law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats - pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the monarch;Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the SupremeCourt sits as the Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Human Rights and Democracy Movement [Huliki WATAB, chairman, Viliami FUKOFUKA, president, 'Akilisi POHIVA, vice president]
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO,G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Akosita FINEANGANOFO, resides in London; address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga High Commission, 36 Molyneux Street, London W1H 6AB, telephone (171) 724-5828, FAX (171) 723-9074 consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
@Tonga:Economy
Economy - overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $238 million (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -0.3% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,200 (1998 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 10% services: 60% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 36,665 (1994)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 65% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11.8% (FY93/94)
Budget: revenues: $49 million expenditures: $120 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: tourism, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (FY95/96)
Electricity - production: 35 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 33 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Exports: $8 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities: squash, fish, vanilla beans
Exports - partners: Japan 53%, US 18%, NZ 6%, Australia 6% (1997 est.)
Imports: $69 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners: NZ 30%, Australia 19%, US 11%, UK 11%, Japan 3% (1997 est.)
Debt - external: $62 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient: $38.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti
Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.6250 (November 1999), 1.4921 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996), 1.2709 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Tonga:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 7,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 114 (1995)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 61,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 2,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)
@Tonga:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,760 GRT/25,948 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, liquified gas 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 6 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
@Tonga:Military
Military branches: Tonga Defense Services (includes, Royal TonganMarines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a newAir Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is beingdeveloped
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@Tonga:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Trinidad and Tobago:Introduction
Background: The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.
@Trinidad and Tobago:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 5,128 sq km land: 5,128 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 46% other: 28% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Trinidad and Tobago:People
Population: 1,175,523 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 151,736; female 146,135) 15-64 years: 68% (male 410,668; female 389,303) 65 years and over: 7% (male 34,559; female 43,122) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.49% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 13.84 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 8.84 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.97 years male: 65.45 years female: 70.59 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
Ethnic groups: black 39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2%
Religions: Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%
Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.8% female: 97% (1995 est.)
@Trinidad and Tobago:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
Data code: TD
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port-of-Spain
Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**;Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, SaintDavid, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria
Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
Constitution: 1 August 1976
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON (since 19 March 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held NA November 1995 (next to be held by November 2000); prime minister appointed from among the members of Parliament; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives is usually appointed prime minister election results: Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 69%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 November 1995 (next to be held by December 2000) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 52%, UNC 42.2%, NAR 5.2%; seats by party - PNM 15, UNC 19, NAR 1, independent 1; note - the UNC formed a coalition with the NAR note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 members serving four-year terms
Judicial branch: Supreme Court comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: Movement for Social Transformation orMOTION ; Movement for Unity and Progress or MUP; National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [leaderNA]; National Development Party or NDP ; NationalJoint Action Committee or NJAC ; People's NationalMovement or PNM ; United National Congress or UNCPolitical pressure groups and leaders: Jamaat Al Musilmeen
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB,ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES,NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. ARNEAUD chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: (202) 467-6490 FAX: (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. SHUMAKER, III embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176 FAX: (809) 628-5462
Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
@Trinidad and Tobago:Economy
Economy - overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. Successful economic reforms were implemented in 1995, and foreign investment and trade are flourishing. Persistently high unemployment remains one of the chief challenges of the government. The petrochemical sector has spurred growth in other related sectors, reinforcing the government's commitment to economic diversification. Tourism is growing, especially in the pleasure boat sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.41 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,500 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 44% services: 54% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: 21% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 558,700 (1998)
Labor force - by occupation: construction and utilities 12.4%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 9.5%, services 64.1% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 14.2% (1998)
Budget: revenues: $1.54 billion expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $117.3 million (1998)
Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1995)
Electricity - production: 4.763 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.27% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0.73% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 4.43 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers
Exports - partners: US 36.9%, Caricom countries 29.4%, Central andSouth America 9.7%, EU 6.3% (1998)
Imports: $3 billion (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports - commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals
Imports - partners: US 44.7%, Latin America 18.9%, EU 13.7%, Japan 4.8% (1998)
Debt - external: $2.2 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $121.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 - 6.2697 (January 2000), 6.2963 (1999), 6.2983 (1998), 6.2517 (1997), 6.0051 (1996), 5.9478 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Trinidad and Tobago:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 209,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 5,615 (1995)
Telephone system: excellent international service; good local service domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 680,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997)
Televisions: 425,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (1999)
@Trinidad and Tobago:Transportation
Railways: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 1968
Highways: total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas 904 km
Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas,Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,439 GRT/4,040 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 6 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
@Trinidad and Tobago:Military
Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes GroundForces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 342,980 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 245,253 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $83 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@Trinidad and Tobago:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
______________________________________________________________________
@Tromelin Island:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low, flat, and sandy
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (scattered bushes)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary
@Tromelin Island:People
Population: uninhabited (July 2000 est.)
@Tromelin Island:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin
Data code: TE
Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Flag description: the flag of France is used
@Tromelin Island:Economy
Economy - overview: no economic activity
@Tromelin Island:Communications
Communications - note: important meteorological station
@Tromelin Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Tromelin Island:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Tromelin Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius
______________________________________________________________________
@Tunisia:Introduction
Background: Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGIUBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society.
@Tunisia:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenAlgeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
Coastline: 1,148 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jabal ash Shanabi 1,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt, arable land
Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 4% other: 44% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,850 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: strategic location in central Mediterranean
@Tunisia:People
Population: 9,593,402 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 1,469,048; female 1,375,782) 15-64 years: 64% (male 3,080,631; female 3,089,244) 65 years and over: 6% (male 290,388; female 288,309) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.17% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 17.38 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 30.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.69 years male: 72.14 years female: 75.36 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian
Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce),French (commerce)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.7% male: 78.6% female: 54.6% (1995 est.)
@Tunisia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis
Data code: TS
Government type: republic
Capital: Tunis
Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Al Kaf, Al Mahdiyah, AlMunastir, Al Qasrayn, Al Qayrawan, Aryanah, Bajah, Banzart, Bin 'Arus,Jundubah, Madanin, Nabul, Qabis, Qafsah, Qibili, Safaqis, Sidi BuZayd, Silyanah, Susah, Tatawin, Tawzar, Tunis, Zaghwan
Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956)
Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since NA November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a third term without opposition; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI nearly 100%
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (163 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - the government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the opposition won seats
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally Partyor RCD ; Movement ofDemocratic Socialists or MDS ; five other political partiesare legal, including the Communist Party
Political pressure groups and leaders: the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Noureddine MEJDOUB chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 862-1850
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robin L. RAPHEL embassy: 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: (1) 782-566 FAX: (1) 789-719
Flag description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
@Tunisia:Economy
Economy - overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Real growth averaged 5.0% in the 1990s, and inflation is slowing. Growth in tourism and increased trade have been key elements in this steady growth. Tunisia's association agreement with the European Union entered into force on 1 March 1998, the first such accord between the EU and Mediterranean countries to be activated. Under the agreement Tunisia will gradually remove barriers to trade with the EU over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, and improvements in government efficiency are among the challenges for the future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $52.6 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,500 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 28% services: 60% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: 14.1% (1990 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 30.7% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 3 million (1997 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 16.5% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $5.1 billion expenditures: $5.8 billion, including capital expenditures to $1.6 billion (1999 est.)
Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 8% (1998 est.)
Electricity - production: 7.94 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 7.549 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 165 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: olives, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds
Exports: $5.8 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons
Exports - partners: France 27%, Italy 22%, Germany 15%, Belgium 6%,Libya 4% (1998)
Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, fuel, food
Imports - partners: France 27%, Italy 20%, Germany 12%, Spain 4%,Belgium 4%, US 4% (1998)
Debt - external: $12.1 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $933.2 million (1995); note - ODA, $90 million (1998 est.)
Currency: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 1.2455 (January 2000), 1.2546 (December 1999), 1.1387 (1998), 1.1059 (1997), 0.9734 (1996), 0.9458 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Tunisia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 628,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 50,000 (1998)
Telephone system: above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switches
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios: 2.06 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 19 (plus some low power stations) (1997)
Televisions: 920,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (1999)
@Tunisia:Transportation
Railways: total: 2,168 km standard gauge: 471 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,687 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge: 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (three rails)
Highways: total: 23,100 km paved: 18,226 km unpaved: 4,874 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas 742 km
Ports and harbors: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis,Zarzis
Merchant marine: total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 151,084 GRT/159,576 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 5, chemical tanker 3, liquified gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 32 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (1999 est.)
@Tunisia:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces,National Guard
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,669,934 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,523,849 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 102,464 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $356 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY99)
@Tunisia:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
______________________________________________________________________
@Turkey:Introduction
Background: Turkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN and in 1949 it became a member of NATO. Turkey occupied the northern portion of Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island; relations between the two countries remain strained. Periodic military offensives against Kurdish terrorists have dislocated part of the population in southeast Turkey and have drawn international condemnation.
@Turkey:Geography
Location: southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 780,580 sq km land: 770,760 sq km water: 9,820 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:total: 2,627 kmborder countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km,Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km
Coastline: 7,200 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea
Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau(Anatolia)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m
Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore, arable land, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 16% forests and woodland: 26% other: 22% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 36,740 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northernTurkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
Environment - current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Environmental Modification
Geography - note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits(Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and AegeanSeas
@Turkey:People
Population: 65,666,677 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% (male 9,722,217; female 9,375,920) 15-64 years: 65% (male 21,671,638; female 20,966,110) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,811,599; female 2,119,193) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.27% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 18.65 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.96 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 48.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.97 years male: 68.63 years female: 73.41 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.16 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20%
Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian andJews)
Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.3% male: 91.7% female: 72.4% (1995 est.)
@Turkey:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye
Data code: TU
Government type: republican parliamentary democracy
Capital: Ankara
Administrative divisions: 80 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana,Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan,Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol,Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli,Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gazi Antep,Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul,Izmir, Kahraman Maras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri,Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya,Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye,Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanli Urfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas,Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat,Zonguldaknote: Karabuk, Kilis, Osmaniye and Yalova are the four newestprovinces (there may be a fifth - Duzce); the US Board on GeographicNames is awaiting an official Turkish administrative map forverification of the boundaries
Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, 29October (1923)
Constitution: 7 November 1982
Legal system: derived from various European continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ahmed Necdet SEZER (since 16 May 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Bulent ECEVIT (since 11 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister note: there is also a National Security Council that serves as an advisory body to the president and the cabinet elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next scheduled to be held NA May 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 60%