Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 9,104 sq km
land: 8,959 sq km
water: 145 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of RhodeIsland
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use: arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 26%
forests and woodland: 16%
other: 49% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment - current issues: erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Geography - note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Puerto Rico People
Population: 3,937,316 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.73% (male 478,441; female 455,800)
15-64 years: 65.72% (male 1,242,245; female 1,345,421)
65 years and over: 10.55% (male 177,083; female 238,326) (2001 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.54% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 15.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate: 7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.76 years
male: 71.28 years
female: 80.48 years (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groups: white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%,Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
Languages: Spanish, English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89%
male: 90%
female: 88% (1980 est.)
Puerto Rico Government
Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Dependency status: commonwealth associated with the US
Government type: commonwealth
Capital: San Juan
Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with theUS); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined bythe US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios,singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada,Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo,Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy,Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo,Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica,Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros,Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, LasMarias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo,Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas,Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande,Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, SantaIsabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, VegaBaja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
Legal system: based on Spanish civil code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)
head of government: Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since NA January 2001)
cabinet: appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature
elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Sila M. CALDERON (PDP) elected governor; percent of vote - 48.8%
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 19, PPD 7, PIP 1, other 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 30, PPD 20, PIP 1, other 3
note: Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 1 (Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Superior Courts; Municipal Courts (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party [CelesteBENITEZ]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; NewProgressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic Partyor PPD [Hector Luis ACEVEDO]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP[Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Armed Forces for NationalLiberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; BoricuaPopular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of thePuerto Rican Revolution
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag, but based on the Cuban flag
Puerto Rico Economy
Economy - overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Prospects for 2001 are clouded by a probable slowing down in both the construction and tourist sectors and by increasing inflation, particularly in energy and food prices; estimated growth will be 2%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $39 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1%
industry: 45%
services: 54% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.7% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 1.3 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (2000)
Budget: revenues: $6.7 billion
expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00)
Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 16.76 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.45%
hydro: 1.55%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 15.587 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens
Exports: $38.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment
Exports - partners: US 88% (2000)
Imports: $27 billion (c.i.f., 2000)
Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
Imports - partners: US 60% (2000)
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Currency code: USD
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Puerto Rico Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 1.322 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 169,265 (1996)
Telephone system: general assessment: modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability
domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US
Radio broadcast stations: AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 2.7 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 18 (plus three stations of the USArmed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997)
Televisions: 1.021 million (1997)
Internet country code: .pr
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 76 (2000)
Internet users: 110,000 (2000)
Puerto Rico Transportation
Railways: total: 96 km
narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system for hauling sugarcane; no passenger service
Highways: total: 14,400 km
paved: 14,400 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, SanJuan
Airports: 28 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 19
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 6 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 7 (2000 est.)
Puerto Rico Military
Military branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Puerto Rico Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
======================================================================
@Qatar
Qatar Introduction
Background: Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir who had ruled the country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe.
Qatar Geography
Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf andSaudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 11,437 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline: 563 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use: arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 94% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 80 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity,Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone LayerProtection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Qatar People
Population: 769,152 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.77% (male 101,155; female 97,086)
15-64 years: 71.75% (male 391,178; female 160,665)
65 years and over: 2.48% (male 13,625; female 5,443) (2001 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.18% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 15.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate: 4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Net migration rate: 20.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.43 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.5 male(s)/female
total population: 1.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.62 years
male: 70.16 years
female: 75.21 years (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.17 children born/woman (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.09% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions: Muslim 95%
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79%
male: 79%
female: 80% (1995 est.)
Qatar Government
Country name: conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
Government type: traditional monarchy
Capital: Doha
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution
Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters
Suffrage: suffrage is limited to municipal elections
Executive branch: chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince JASSIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed forces
head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
note: in March 1999 Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council, which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services
Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)
note: the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have their terms extended every four years since
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW,OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: AmbassadorBadr Umar al-DAFA
chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: AmbassadorElizabeth Davenport MCKUNE
embassy: 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 488 4101
note: workweek is Saturday-Wednesday
Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
Qatar Economy
Economy - overview: Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 66% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore petroleum and the diversification of the economy. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $6 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $15.1 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,300 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1%
industry: 49%
services: 50% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2000)
Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $3.9 billion
expenditures: $4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 9 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 8.37 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Exports: $9.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities: petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners: Japan 52%, Singapore 9%, South Korea 8%, US, UAE (1998)
Imports: $3.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners: UK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, US 6%, Italy 6% (1998)
Debt - external: $13.1 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: Qatari rial (QAR)
Currency code: QAR
Exchange rates: Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.6400 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Qatar Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 142,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 43,476 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 256,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus three repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 230,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .qa
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Internet users: 45,000 (2000)
Qatar Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1996)
Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports and harbors: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id)
Merchant marine: total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 677,992 GRT/1,049,447 DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 7, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)
Airports: 4 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
over 3,047 m: 2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2000 est.)
Qatar Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 312,116
note: includes non-nationals (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 163,642 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 6,797 (2001 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $723 million (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 10% (FY00/01)
Qatar Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: in March of 2001, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Hawar Islands to Bahrain and adjusted its maritime boundary with Qatar; a final border resolution was agreed to with Saudi Arabia in March of 2001
======================================================================
@Reunion
Reunion Introduction
Background: The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians gave the island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route.
Reunion Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references: World
Area: total: 2,512 sq km
land: 2,502 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 207 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 35%
other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
Environment - current issues: NA
Reunion People
Population: 732,570 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.07% (male 120,259; female 114,669)
15-64 years: 62.25% (male 224,347; female 231,698)
65 years and over: 5.68% (male 16,892; female 24,705) (2001 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 21.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.93 years
male: 69.53 years
female: 76.49 years (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)
adjective: Reunionese
Ethnic groups: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian
Religions: Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist (1995)
Languages: French (official), Creole widely used
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79%
male: 76%
female: 80% (1982 est.)
Reunion Government
Country name: conventional long form: Department of Reunion
conventional short form: Reunion
local long form: none
local short form: Ile de la Reunion
former: Bourbon Island
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
Capital: Saint-Denis
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Robert POMMIES (since NA 1996)
head of government: President of the General Council Jean-Luc POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993)
cabinet: NA
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (47 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: General Council - last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA 2000); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 7, UDF 8, PS 6, RPR 4, various right-wing candidates 15, various left-wing candidates 5
note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate; elections last held 14 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1, PCR 2; Reunion also elects five deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May and 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 3, PS 1, and RPR-UDF 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Reunion or PCR[Paul VERGES]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre MauricePIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union forFrench Democracy or UDF [Gilbert GERARD]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: FZ, InOC, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
Reunion Economy
Economy - overview: The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which amounts to more than 40% of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1998 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: 261,000 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 8%, industry 19%, services 73% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 42.8% (1998)
Budget: revenues: NA
expenditures: NA
Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil extraction
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 1.1 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.55%
hydro: 45.45%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 1.023 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables, corn
Exports: $214 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports - commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster 3%, (1993)
Exports - partners: France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (1994)
Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products
Imports - partners: France 64%, Bahrain 3%, Germany 3%, Italy 3% (1994)
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - substantial annual subsidies from France
Currency: French franc (FRF); euro (EUR)
Currency code: FRF; EUR
Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.06594 (January 2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Reunion Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 236,500 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 85,000 (1999)
Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis
domestic: modern open wire and microwave radio relay network
international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 55, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 173,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 22 (plus 18 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 127,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .re
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Internet users: 10,000 (2000)
Reunion Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,724 km
paved: 1,300 km (including 73 km of four-lane road)
unpaved: 1,424 km
note: 370 km of road are maintained by national authorities, 754 km by departmental authorities and 1600 km by local authorities (1994)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Le Port, Pointe des Galets
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,264GRT/44,885 DWT
ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Airports: 2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Reunion Military
Military branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, andGendarmerie)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 190,846 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 97,497 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 6,243 (2001 est.)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Reunion Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
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@Romania
Romania Introduction
Background: Soviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a communist "peoples republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of President Nicolae CEAUSESCU became increasingly draconian through the 1980s. He was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Much economic restructuring remains to be carried out before Romania can achieve its hope of joining the EU.
Romania Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, betweenBulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 237,500 sq km
land: 230,340 sq km
water: 7,160 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Yugoslavia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 41%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 21%
forests and woodland: 29%
other: 6% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 31,020 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: earthquakes most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Environment - current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
Romania People
Population: 22,364,022 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.95% (male 2,054,323; female 1,959,196)
15-64 years: 68.51% (male 7,605,751; female 7,715,434)
65 years and over: 13.54% (male 1,255,880; female 1,773,438) (2001 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.21% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 10.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate: 12.28 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.16 years
male: 66.36 years
female: 74.19 years (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.02% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 350 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Ethnic groups: Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 7.1%, Roma 1.8%, German 0.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, other 0.8% (1992)
Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 3%, Uniate Catholic 3%, Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 18%
Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 95% (1992 est.)
Romania Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
Government type: republic
Capital: Bucharest
Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular - judet) and1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor,Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau,Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj,Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi,Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947)
National holiday: Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1December (1918)
Constitution: 8 December 1991
Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20December 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Adrian NASTASE (since 29 December 2000)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 November 2000, with runoff between the top two candidates held 10 December 2000 (next to be held NA November/December 2004); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: percent of vote - Ion ILIESCU 66.84%, Corneliu Vadim TUDOR 33.16%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (140 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor (345 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDSR 37.1%, PRM 21.0%, PD 7.6%, PNL 7.5%, UDMR 6.9%; seats by party - PDSR 65, PRM 37, PD 13, PNL 13, UDMR 12; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PDSR 36.6%, PRM 19.5%, PD 7.0%, PNL, 6.9%, UDMR 6.8%; seats by party - PDSR 155, PRM 84, PD 31, PNL 30, UDMR 27, ethnic minorities 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistrates)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or PD [Petre ROMAN];Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO];National Liberal Party or PNL [Mircea IONESCU-QUINTUS]; Party ofSocial Democracy in Romania or PDSR [Adrian NASTASE]; Romania MareParty (Greater Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; TheDemocratic Convention or CDR [Ion DIACONESCU]
Political pressure groups and leaders: various human rights and professional associations
International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group,BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9,G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA(observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE,PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK,UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: AmbassadorJames C. ROSAPEPE
embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest
mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
telephone: [40] (1) 210 40 42
branch office(s): Cluj-Napoca
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
Romania Economy
Economy - overview: Romania, one of the poorest countries in Central and Eastern Europe, began the transition from communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. Over the past decade economic restructuring has lagged behind most other countries in the region. Consequently, living standards have continued to fall - real wages are down over 40%. Corruption too has worsened. The EU ranks Romania last among enlargement candidates, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) rates Romania's transition progress the region's worst. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. A new government elected in November 2000 promises to promote economic reform. Bucharest hopes to receive financial and technical assistance from international financial institutions and Western governments; negotiations over a new IMF standby agreement are to begin early in 2001. If reform stalls, Romania's ability to borrow from both public and private sources could quickly dry up, leading to another financial crisis.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $132.5 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.9%
industry: 32.6%
services: 53.5% (2000)
Population below poverty line: 44.5% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 20.2% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45.7% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 9.9 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry 25%, services 35% (1998)
Unemployment rate: 11.5% (1999)
Budget: revenues: $11.7 billion
expenditures: $12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Industries: textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2000)
Electricity - production: 49.036 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 53.99%
hydro: 36.18%
nuclear: 9.81%
other: 0.02% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 44.768 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 1.935 billion kWh (1999)