Land boundaries: total: 2,171 km border countries: Austria 366 km,Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Yugoslavia 151 km, Slovakia 677 km,Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on theSlovakian border
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point:Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Land use: arable land: 52% other: 45% (1998 est.) permanent crops: 3%
Irrigated land: 2,100 sq km (1998 est.)
Environment - current issues: the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution,Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
People Hungary
Population: 10,075,034 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.4% (male 847,081; female 802,340) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 3,406,701; female 3,528,087) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 544,956; female 945,869) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.3% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 9.34 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 13.09 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 76.55 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.05% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,500 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic groups: Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%
Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 98% (1980 est.)
Government Hungary
Country name: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Budapest
Administrative divisions: 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros);Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer,Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*,Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*,Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*,Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*,Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg*
Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday: St. Stephen's Day, 20 August
Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system
Legal system: rule of law based on Western model
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: Ferenc MADL (since NA August 2000) head of government: of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held by June 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round election results: Ferenc MADL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third round of voting); Peter MEDGYESSY elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - FIDESZ/MDF 48.70%, MSZP 46.11%, SZDSZ 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by party - FIDESZ/MDF 188, MSZP 178, SZDSZ 20 elections: Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Free Democrats or SZDSZ[Gabor KUNCZE]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Gyorgy GICZY,president]; Hungarian Civic Party or FIDESZ [Zoltan POKORNI]; HungarianDemocratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Democratic People'sParty or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and LifeParty or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP[Laszlo KOVACS, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER,chairman]; Independent Smallholders or FKGP [Jozsef TORGYAN, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, Australia Group,BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA,NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL,WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Geza JESZENSZKY chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy Goodman BRINKER embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4336, 475-4156 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4520
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Economy Hungary
Economy - overview: Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation and unemployment - both priority concerns in 2001 - have declined substantially. Economic reform measures such as health care reform, tax reform, and local government financing have not yet been addressed by the ORBAN government.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $120.9 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $12,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 34% services: 60% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: 8.6% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25.3 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.2% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 4.2 million (1997)
Labor force - by occupation: services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (2001 est.)
Budget: revenues: $13 billion expenditures: $14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (2001 est.)
Electricity - production: 33.436 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58.83% hydro: 0.53% other: 0.35% (2000) nuclear: 40.29%
Electricity - consumption: 35.095 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 1.2 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 5.2 billion kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products
Exports: $27.9 billion (f.o.b., 2001)
Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 59.5%, other manufactures 29.4%, food products 6.9%, raw materials 2.4%, fuels and electricity 1.8% (2000)
Exports - partners: Germany 37%, Austria 9%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5% (2000)
Imports: $29.5 billion (f.o.b., 2001)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 51.1%, other manufactures 35.9%, fuels and electricity 8.1%, food products 2.8%, raw materials 2.1% (2000)
Imports - partners: Germany 25%, Russia 8%, Austria 7%, Italy 7% (2000)
Debt - external: $28.5 billion (2001)
Economic aid - recipient: $122.7 million (1995)
Currency: forint (HUF)
Currency code: HUF
Exchange rates: forints per US dollar - 275.920 (January 2002), 286.490 (2001), 282.179 (2000), 237.146 (1999), 214.402 (1998), 186.789 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Hungary
Telephones - main lines in use: 3.095 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.269 million (July 1999)
Telephone system: general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios: 7.01 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)
Televisions: 4.42 million (1997)
Internet country code: .hu
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000)
Internet users: 1.2 million (2001)
Transportation Hungary
Railways: total: 7,869 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge standard gauge: 7,614 km 1.435-m gauge (2,423 km electrified; 1,236 km double-tracked) note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage the cross-border, standard-gauge railway connecting Gyor, Sopron, and Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) which has a route length of about 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria (2001)
Highways: total: 188,203 km paved: 81,680 km (including 448 km of expressways) unpaved: 106,523 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: 1,373 km (permanently navigable) (1997)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)
Ports and harbors: Budapest, Dunaujvaros
Airports: 43 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2001) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 8 (2001) 914 to 1,523 m: 12
Heliports: 5 (2001)
Military Hungary
Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Forces
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,559,260 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,039,710 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 64,121 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.08 billion (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.75% (2002 est.)
Transnational Issues Hungary
Disputes - international: Slovakia requested additional ICJ judgment in 1998 and talks continue to set modalities to assure Hungarian compliance with 1997 ICJ decision to proceed with construction of Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Dam, abandoned by Hungary in 1989; Hungary opposes Croatian plan to build a hydropower dam on the boundary stream Drava
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Iceland
Introduction
Iceland
Background: Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
Geography Iceland
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total: 103,000 sq km water: 2,750 sq km land: 100,250 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,988 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point:Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use: arable land: NEGL permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (23% permanent pastures) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment - current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification,Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
People Iceland
Population: 279,384 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 33,189; female 31,155) 15-64 years: 65.1% (male 91,704; female 90,199) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,828; female 18,309) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.52% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 14.37 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 3.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 82.07 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.14% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 93%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic, none (1997)
Languages: Icelandic
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% (1997 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
Government Iceland
Country name: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Government type: constitutional republic
Capital: Reykjavik
Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla)and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur);Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla,Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*,Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla,Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la,Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*,Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla,Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla,Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssyslanote: there may be four other counties
Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 40.7%, The Alliance (PA, People's Party, Women's List) 26.8%, Progressive Party 18.4%, Left-Green Alliance 9.1%, Liberal Party 4.2%; seats by party - Independence Party 26, The Alliance 17, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 6, Liberal Party 2 elections: Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the president)
Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative) or IP[David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; LiberalParty [Sverrir HERMANNSSON]; People's Party (Social Democratic Party)or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Progressive Party (liberal) or PP[Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; The Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA,Social Democratic Party or SVP, People's Movement, Women's List) [OssurSKARPHEDINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CBSS,CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: AmbassadorJon-Baldvin HANNIBALSSON chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW,Washington, DC 20005-1704 consulate(s) general: Diplomatic representationfrom the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara J. GRIFFITHS embassy:Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003,Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone: [354] 5629100 FAX: [354] 5629123
Flag description: blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Iceland
Economy - overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, providing 70% of export earnings and employing 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth has been remarkably steady over the past five years at 4%-5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.85 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.3% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% (includes fishing 13%) industry: 21% services: 64% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 159,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999)
Unemployment rate: 1% (April 2001 est.)
Budget: revenues: $3.5 billion expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
Industries: fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production: 7.549 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.05% hydro: 83.3% other: 16.65% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 7.02 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish
Exports: $2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon
Exports - partners: EU 64% (UK 20%, Germany 13%, France 5%, Denmark 5%),US 15%, Japan 5% (1999)
Imports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners: EU 56% (Germany 12%, UK 9%, Denmark 8%, Sweden 6%),US 11%, Norway 10% (1999)
Debt - external: $2.6 billion (1999)
Economic aid - donor: $NA
Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK)
Currency code: ISK
Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 102.430 (January 2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Iceland
Telephones - main lines in use: 168,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 65,746 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic service domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 260,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 98,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .is
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 7 (2000)
Internet users: 168,000 (2001)
Transportation Iceland
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 12,691 km paved: 3,262 km unpaved: 9,429 km (1999)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik,Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,816GRT/2,500 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: 86 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 73 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 49 (2001)
Military Iceland
Military branches: no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 71,142 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 62,556 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $0
Military - note: defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic DefenseForce (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Transnational Issues Iceland
Disputes - international: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Indonesia
Introduction
Indonesia
Background: The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly-elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state.
Geography Indonesia
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 5 00 S, 120 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 1,919,440 sq km water: 93,000 sq km land: 1,826,440 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 2,830 km border countries: East Timor 228 km,Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km
Coastline: 54,716 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point:Puncak Jaya 5,030 m
Natural resources: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 7% other: 83% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 48,150 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires
Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity,Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified:Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: archipelago of 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
People Indonesia
Population: 231,328,092 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.54% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 21.87 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 6.28 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: NA 65 years and over: Infant mortality rate: 39.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 71.13 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility rate: 2.54 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.05% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 52,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,100 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian
Ethnic groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastalMalays 7.5%, other 26%
Religions: Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%,Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English,Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78% (1995 est.)
Government Indonesia
Country name: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indies;Dutch East Indies local short form: Indonesia
Government type: republic
Capital: Jakarta
Administrative divisions: 27 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta*; note - with the implementation of decentralization on 1 January 2001, the 357 districts (regencies) have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services note: following the 30 August 1999 provincial referendum for independence which was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur and the October 1999 concurrence of Indonesia's national legislature, the name East Timor was adopted as a provisional name for the political entity formerly known as Propinsi Timor Timur; East Timor gained its formal independence on 20 May 2002
Independence: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Constitution: August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age
Executive branch: chief of state: President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 23 July 2001) and Vice President Hamzah HAZ (since 26 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Hamzah HAZ (since 26 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected separately by the People's Consultative Assembly or MPR for five-year terms; selection of president last held 23 July 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); selection of vice president last held 26 July 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) note: MPR) includes the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR) plus 200 indirectly selected members; it meets every five years to elect the president and vice president and to approve broad outlines of national policy and also has yearly meetings to consider constitutional and legislative changes election results: MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri elected president, receiving 591 votes in favor (91 abstentions); Hamzah HAZ elected vice president, receiving 340 votes in favor (237 against)
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (500 seats; 462 elected by popular vote, 38 are appointed military representatives; members serve five-year terms) election results: 10.7%, PAN 7.3%, PBB 1.8%, other 4.5%; seats by party - PDI-P 154, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 14, other 30; note - subsequent to the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats; the new distribution is: PDI-P 153, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 13, other 32 elections: last held 7 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature); note - the Supreme Court is preparing to assume administrative responsibility for the federal court system, previously run by the executive
Political parties and leaders: Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA, chairman]; Federation of Functional Groups or Golkar [Akbar TANDJUNG, general chairman]; Indonesia Democracy Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri, chairperson]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Alwi SHIHAB, chairman]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman]; United Development Party or PPP (federation of former Islamic parties) [Hamzah HAZ, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN,CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SOEMADI Brotodiningrat chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: (202) 775-5365 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE embassy: Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan 3-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, APO AP 96520 telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189 consulate(s) general: Surabaya
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red
Economy Indonesia
Economy - overview: Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, faces severe economic development problems, stemming from secessionist movements and the low level of security in the regions, the lack of reliable legal recourse in contract disputes, corruption, weaknesses in the banking system, and strained relations with the IMF. Investor confidence will remain low and few new jobs will be created under these circumstances. In November 2001, Indonesia agreed with the IMF on a series of economic reforms in 2002, thus enabling further IMF disbursements. Keys to future growth remain internal reform, the build-up of the confidence of international donors and investors, and a strong comeback in the global economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $687 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 41% services: 42% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 27% (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.7% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.7 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.5% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 99 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 45%, industry 16%, services 39% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8% (2001 est.)
Budget: revenues: $26 billion expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Industries: petroleum and natural gas; textiles, apparel, and footwear; mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood; rubber; food; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2001 est.)
Electricity - production: 92.575 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81.02% hydro: 14.04% other: 4.94% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 86.095 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs
Exports: $56.5 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Exports - commodities: oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber
Exports - partners: Japan 23.4%, US 13.8%, Singapore 10.7%, South Korea 7%, China 4.5%, Malaysia 3.2% (2000 est.)
Imports: $38.1 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment; chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Imports - partners: Japan 16.3%, Singapore 11.4%, US 10.2%, South Korea 6.3%, China 6.1%, Australia 5.1% (2000 est.)
Debt - external: $135 billion (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $43 billion from IMF program and other official external financing (1997-2000)
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
Currency code: IDR
Exchange rates: Indonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 10,377.3 (January 2002), 10,260.9 (2001), 8,421.8 (2000), 7,855.2 (1999), 10,013.6 (1998), 2,909.4 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year
Communications Indonesia
Telephones - main lines in use: 5,588,310 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.07 million (1998)
Telephone system: general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998)
Radios: 31.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 41 (1999)
Televisions: 13.75 million (1997)
Internet country code: .id
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 24 (2000)
Internet users: 2 million (2001)
Transportation Indonesia
Railways: total: 6,458 km narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (101 km electrified; 101 km double-track); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (2001)
Highways: total: 342,700 km paved: 158,670 km unpaved: 184,030 km (1997)
Waterways: 21,579 km total note: Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km
Pipelines: crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas 1,703 km (1989)
Ports and harbors: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Makassar,Palembang, Semarang, Surabaya
Merchant marine: total: 668 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,969,281 GRT/4,043,526 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 1, Hong Kong 2, India 1, Japan 2, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Panama 1, Philippines 1, Singapore 11, South Korea 1, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 41, cargo 392, chemical tanker 12, container 32, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 1, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 126, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 15, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 6
Airports: 490 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 156 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 48 under 914 m: 45 (2001) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 46
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 339 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 309 (2001)
Heliports: 6 (2001)
Military Indonesia
Military branches: Army, Navy (including marines and naval air arm),Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 65,013,184 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 37,942,329 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 2,263,706 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues Indonesia
Disputes - international: Sipadan and Ligitan islands dispute with Malaysia remains with the ICJ for arbitration since 1998; East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee meets to survey and delimit land boundary; Indonesia seeks resolution of East Timor refugees in Indonesia; Australia-East Timor-Indonesia are working to resolve maritime boundary and sharing of seabed resources in "Timor Gap"
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle heroin
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Man, Isle of
Introduction Man, Isle of
Background: Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Celtic language.
Geography Man, Isle of
Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 572 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about one-third of the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution
Geography - note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
People Man, Isle of
Population: 73,873 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 6,601; female 6,324) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 24,206; female 24,010) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 5,097; female 7,635) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.52% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 11.49 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 11.68 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 81.36 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women) adjective: Manx
Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,Society of Friends
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Man, Isle of
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form:Isle of Man
Dependency status: British crown dependency
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Douglas
Administrative divisions: there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution: unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does not embody the Manx Constitution
Legal system: English common law and Manx statute
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Sir Timothy DAUNT (since 27 October 1995) election results: Richard CORKILL elected chief minister by the Tynwald elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is elected by the Tynwald; election last held 6 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Richard CORKILL (since 6 December 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (an 11-member body composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Man Labor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seats by party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3, independents 19
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by theLord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor)
Political parties and leaders: Man Labor Party [leader NA]; Alliance for Progressive Government [leader NA]; Man Nationalist Party [leader NA] note: most members sit as independents
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency)
Flag description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Economy Man, Isle of
Economy - overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.4 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 13.5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,800 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 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 est.)
Labor force: 36,610 (1998)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%, entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10%
Unemployment rate: 0.7% (February 2002)
Budget: revenues: $485 million expenditures: $463 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)
Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (FY96/97)
Agriculture - products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports: $NA
Exports - commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
Exports - partners: UK
Imports: $NA
Imports - commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish
Imports - partners: UK
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound
Currency code: GBP
Exchange rates: Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Communications Man, Isle of
Telephones - main lines in use: 51,000 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999)
Televisions: 27,490 (1999)
Internet country code: .im
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
Internet users: NA
Transportation Man, Isle of
Railways: total: 68.5 km (43.5 km electrified) (2001)
Highways: total: 800 km paved: 800 km unpaved: 0 km (1999)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey
Merchant marine: total: 212 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,540,100 GRT/9,130,508 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 45, France 1, Germany 48, Greece 6, Hong Kong 10, Iceland 1, Italy 8, Monaco 7, Netherlands 3, Norway 5, Sweden 4, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom 70, United States 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 29, cargo 34, chemical tanker 22, combination bulk 2, container 29, liquefied gas 24, petroleum tanker 46, roll on/roll off 20, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2001)
Military Man, Isle of
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Man, Isle of
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
India
Introduction
India
Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output.
Geography India
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E
Map references: Asia