Highways: total: 34,300 km paved: 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:2,090 km (of decreasing importance) (2002)
Pipelines:gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,124 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko
Airports:49 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 11 (2002)
Military Cameroon
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force, NationalGendarmerie, Presidential Guard
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 3,799,841 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,928,285 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 179,586 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$118.6 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Cameroon
Disputes - international:ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritimeboundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich BakassiPeninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected cessionof the peninsula, but the parties have formed a Joint BorderCommission to resolve differences bilaterally and have commencedwith demarcation in less-contested sections of the boundary; LakeChad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger,and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over the lake region,which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations andmilitias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquishsovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Canada
Introduction Canada
Background:A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada becamea self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to theBritish crown. Economically and technologically the nation hasdeveloped in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south acrossan unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues tobe the relationship of the province of Quebec, with itsFrench-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder ofthe country.
Geography Canada
Location:Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on theeast, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on thenorth, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates:60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references:North America
Area:total: 9,984,670 sq kmland: 9,093,507 sq kmwater: 891,163 sq km
Area - comparative:somewhat larger than the US
Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline:202,080 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 NMterritorial sea: 12 NMcontinental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain:mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m
Natural resources:iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash,diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, naturalgas, hydropower
Land use:arable land: 4.94%permanent crops: 0.02%other: 95.04% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:7,200 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle todevelopment; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, aresult of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, andNorth American interior, and produce most of the country's rain andsnow east of the mountains
Environment - current issues:air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes anddamaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, andvehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity;ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial,mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Lawof the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic locationbetween Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% ofthe population is concentrated within 300 km of the US border
People Canada
Population:32,207,113 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18.5% (male 3,052,005; female 2,903,007)15-64 years: 68.6% (male 11,099,907; female 10,984,903)65 years and over: 12.9% (male 1,774,262; female 2,393,029) (2003est.)
Median age: total: 37.8 years male: 36.9 years female: 38.8 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.94% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:10.99 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:6.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.88 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.83 yearsmale: 76.44 yearsfemale: 83.38 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.61 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:55,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Canadian(s)adjective: Canadian
Ethnic groups:British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%,Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixedbackground 26%
Religions:Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18%note: based on the 1991 census
Languages:English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97% (1986 est.)male: NA%female: NA%
Government Canada
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada
Government type:confederation with parliamentary democracy
Capital:Ottawa
Administrative divisions:10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia,Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, NorthwestTerritories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
Independence:1 July 1867 (from UK)
National holiday:Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution:17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of thegovernment was set up in the British North America Act of 1867;charter of rights and unwritten customs
Legal system:based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil lawsystem based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October1999)elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for afive-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the Houseof Commons is automatically designated prime minister by thegovernor generalhead of government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12 December2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN (since 12 December 2003)cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from amongthe members of his own party sitting in Parliament
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat(members appointed by the governor general with the advice of theprime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age; its normallimit is 105 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre desCommunes (301 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote toserve for up to five-year terms)elections: House of Commons - last held 27 November 2000 (next to beheld by 2005)election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -Liberal Party 41%, Canadian Alliance 26%, Bloc Quebecois 11%, NewDemocratic Party 9%, Progressive Conservative Party 12%; seats byparty - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38,New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12; note -percent of vote by party as of January 2002 - Liberal Party 51%,Canadian Alliance 10%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, New Democratic Party 9%,Progressive Conservative Party 18%; seats by party - Liberal Party172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party13, Progressive Conservative Party 12
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime ministerthrough the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; FederalCourt of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Courtof Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, andCourt of Justice)
Political parties and leaders:Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Canadian Alliance [StephenHARPER]; Liberal Party [Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [JackLAYTON]; Progressive Conservative Party [Peter MACKAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialoguepartner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD,ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA,MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE,PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMEE,UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Michael F. KERGINchancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas,Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattleconsulate(s): Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Paul CELLUCCIembassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470FAX: [1] (613) 688-3097consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto,and Vancouver
Flag description:two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), withwhite square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centeredin the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white
Economy Canada
Economy - overview:As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closelyresembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern ofproduction, and high living standards. Since World War II, theimpressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectorshas transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into oneprimarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free TradeAgreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase intrade and economic integration with the US. As a result of the closecross-border relationship, the economic sluggishness in the UnitedStates in 2001-02 had a negative impact on the Canadian economy.Real growth averaged nearly 3% during 1993-2000, but declined in2001, with moderate recovery in 2002. Unemployment is up, withcontraction in the manufacturing and natural resource sectors.Nevertheless, given its great natural resources, skilled laborforce, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economicprospects. Two shadows loom, the first being the continuingconstitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas,which has been raising the specter of a split in the federation.Another long-term concern is the flow south to the US ofprofessionals lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and the immensehigh-tech infrastructure. A key strength in the economy is thesubstantial trade surplus.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $934.1 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $29,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 2.3%industry: 26.5%services: 71.2% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (1994)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:31.5 (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:16.4 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: services 74%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 3% (2000)
Unemployment rate:7.6% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $178.6 billionexpenditures: $161.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY 00/01 est.)
Industries:transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessedminerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products,petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate:2.2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:566.3 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 28% hydro: 57.9% other: 1.3% (2001) nuclear: 12.9%
Electricity - consumption:504.4 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:38.4 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:16.11 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:2.738 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:1.703 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:2.008 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:1.145 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:5.112 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:186.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:82.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:109 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:4.46 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.691 trillion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish
Exports:$260.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft,telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; woodpulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum
Exports - partners:US 87.7%, Japan 2%, UK 1.1% (2002)
Imports:$229 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil,chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods
Imports - partners:US 62.6%, China 4.6%, Japan 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:$1.9 billion $NA (2000)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.3 billion (1999)
Currency:Canadian dollar (CAD)
Currency code:CAD
Exchange rates:Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.57 (2002), 1.55 (2001), 1.49(2000), 1.49 (1999), 1.48 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Canada
Telephones - main lines in use:20,802,900 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:8,751,300 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technologydomestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stationsinternational: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations- 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 535, FM 53, shortwave 6 (1998)
Radios:32.3 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:80 (plus many repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:21.5 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ca
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):760 (2000 est.)
Internet users:16.84 million (2002)
Transportation Canada
Railways: total: 49,422 km standard gauge: 49,422 km 1.435-m gauge (129 km electrified) (2002)
Highways:total: 1.408 million kmpaved: 497,306 km (including 16,900 km of expressways)unpaved: 911,494 km (2002)
Waterways:3,000 km (including Saint Lawrence Seaway)
Pipelines:crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Ports and harbors:Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, NewWestminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St.John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, ThunderBay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Merchant marine:total: 122 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,840,272 GRT/2,740,864 DWTships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 64, cargo 11, chemical tanker6, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 1, passenger2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, railcar carrier 2, rollon/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Germany 3, Monaco 16, United Kingdom 1, United States 1(2002 est.)
Airports:1,389 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 507 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 245 under 914 m: 80 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 149
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 882 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 363 under 914 m: 446 (2002)
Heliports: 12 (2002)
Military Canada
Military branches:Canadian Armed Forces (comprising Land Forces Command, MaritimeCommand, Air Command, Communications Command, Training Command)
Military manpower - military age:16 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 8,391,120 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 7,158,016 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 216,488 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$7.861 billion (FY01/02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.1% (FY01/02)
Transnational Issues Canada
Disputes - international:managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance,Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputedMachias Seal Island and North Rock; uncontested dispute with Denmarkover Hans Island sovereignty in the Kennedy Channel betweenEllesmere Island and Greenland
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use ofhydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities ofhigh-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for heroin and cocaineentering the US market; vulnerable to narcotics money launderingbecause of its mature financial services sector
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Cape Verde
Introduction Cape Verde
Background:The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by thePortuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a tradingcenter for African slaves and later an important coaling andresupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Followingindependence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification withGuinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintaineduntil multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continuesto exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments.Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century causedsignificant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result,Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one.Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
Geography Cape Verde
Location:Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, westof Senegal
Geographic coordinates:16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 4,033 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 4,033 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM contiguous zone: 24 NM
Climate:temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain:steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use: arable land: 9.68% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 89.82% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuringdust; volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues:soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted indeforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatenedseveral species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sandextraction; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near majornorth-south sea routes; important communications station; importantsea and air refueling site
People Cape Verde
Population:412,137 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41% (male 85,254; female 83,716)15-64 years: 52.3% (male 103,690; female 111,992)65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,498; female 16,987) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 18.7 yearsmale: 17.9 yearsfemale: 19.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.79% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:26.95 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-12.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 50.5 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 55.83 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.83 yearsmale: 66.53 yearsfemale: 73.23 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.77 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.04% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:775 (2001)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:225 (as of 2001)
Nationality:noun: Cape Verdean(s)adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups:Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions:Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant(mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Languages:Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 76.6%male: 85.8%female: 69.2% (2003 est.)
Government Cape Verde
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verdeconventional short form: Cape Verdelocal short form: Cabo Verdelocal long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
Government type:republic
Capital:Praia
Administrative divisions:17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista,Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande,Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, SaoMiguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence:5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution:new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent amajor revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing thepowers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to createthe position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Legal system:derived from the legal system of Portugal
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1February 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NAFebruary 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assemblyand appointed by the presidentelection results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote -Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - theelection was won by only twelve votes
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats;members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December2005)election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%,ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders:African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose MariaPereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr.Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); DemocraticChristian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; DemocraticRenovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement forDemocracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for DemocraticConvergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Workand Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA, president]; Social DemocraticParty or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory),UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITOconsulate(s) general: BostonFAX: [1] (202) 965-1207telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSONembassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praiamailing address: C. P. 201, Praiatelephone: [238] 61 56 16, 61 56 17FAX: [238] 61 13 55
Flag description:three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white(with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue;a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoistend of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
Economy Cape Verde
Economy - overview:This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base,including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-termdrought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport,tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Althoughnearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share ofagriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing accountsfor 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential,mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annuallyruns a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittancesfrom emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%.Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector andattracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospectsfor 2003 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism,remittances, and the momentum of the government's developmentprogram.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $600 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 17% services: 72% (2001)
Population below poverty line:30% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (2002)
Labor force:NA
Unemployment rate:21% (2000 est.)
Budget:revenues: $112 millionexpenditures: $198 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000)
Industries:food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, saltmining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:42.03 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:39.08 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Exports:$30 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Exports - partners:Portugal 38.5%, UK 26.4%, France 23.1%, US 8.2% (2002)
Imports:$220 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:Portugal 49.1%, Netherlands 7.2%, Germany 5.7% (2002)
Debt - external:$325 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$136 million (1999)
Currency:Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Currency code:CVE
Exchange rates:Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - NA (2002), 123.21(2001), 115.88 (2000), 102.7 (1999), 98.16 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Cape Verde
Telephones - main lines in use:60,935 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:28,119 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: effective system, being improveddomestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analogand digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarinefiber-optic cable system which is scheduled for completion in 2003international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone toSenegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 15 (and 17 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002)
Radios:100,000 (2002 est.)
Television broadcast stations:1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002)
Televisions:15,000 (2002 est.)
Internet country code:.cv
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:12,000 (2002)
Transportation Cape Verde
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWTships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 1note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag ofconvenience: United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: 9 note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 3914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Military Cape Verde
Military branches:Army, Coast Guard
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 95,450 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 53,842 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$9.3 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.6% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Cape Verde
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from LatinAmerica and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of awell-developed financial system limits the country's utility as amoney-laundering center
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Cayman Islands
Introduction Cayman Islands
Background:The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the Britishduring the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the formerbecame independent.
Geography Cayman Islands
Location:Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of theway from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates:19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 262 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 262 sq km
Area - comparative:1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:160 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool,relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America
People Cayman Islands
Population:41,934 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21.6% (male 4,525; female 4,541)15-64 years: 70.6% (male 14,463; female 15,157)65 years and over: 7.7% (male 1,515; female 1,733) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 36.1 yearsmale: 35.8 yearsfemale: 36.4 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.79% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:13.33 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:19.27 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2003est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 8.64 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.67 yearsmale: 77.08 yearsfemale: 82.3 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.91 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Caymanian(s)adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups:mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnicgroups 20%
Religions:United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist,Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
Languages:English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 98%male: 98%female: 98% (1970 est.)
Government Cayman Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:British crown colony
Capital:George Town
Administrative divisions:8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, StakeBay, West End, Western
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Constitution:1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system:British common law and local statutes
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor isappointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by thegovernorhead of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NADecember 2001)cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed membersfrom the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; membersserve four-year terms)elections: last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November2004)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA
Judicial branch:Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:there are no formal political parties but the following loosegroupings act as political organizations; National Team [leader NA];Democratic Alliance [leader NA]; Team Cayman [leader NA]; UnitedDemocratic Party [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO(associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag;the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield withthree stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at thebottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Economy Cayman Islands
Economy - overview:With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshorefinancial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in theCayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trustcompanies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange wasopened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70%of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry isaimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from NorthAmerica. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumergoods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highestoutputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in theworld.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.27 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $35,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 1.4%industry: 3.2%services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% (2002)
Labor force:19,820 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995)
Unemployment rate:4.1% (1997)
Budget:revenues: $265.2 millionexpenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997)
Industries:tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, constructionmaterials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:381.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:355.2 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products:vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming
Exports:$1.2 million (1999)
Exports - commodities:turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Exports - partners:mostly US
Imports:$457.4 million (1999)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
Debt - external:$70 million (1996)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:Caymanian dollar (KYD)
Currency code:KYD
Exchange rates:Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Cayman Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:19,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,534 (1995)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station -1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:36,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 with cable system
Televisions:7,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ky
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Cayman Islands
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2000)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:total: 123 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,402,058 GRT/3,792,094 DWTships by type: bulk 22, cargo 5, chemical tanker 31, container 2,liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 35, rollon/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Bahrain 2, China 1, Germany 4, Greece 27, Hong Kong 3,Italy 2, Japan 1, Norway 14, Sweden 13, United Kingdom 15, UnitedStates 35 (2002 est.)
Airports:3 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Military Cayman Islands
Military branches:no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Cayman Islands PoliceForce (RCIPF)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Cayman Islands
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Central African Republic
Introduction Central African Republic
Background:The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central AfricanRepublic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decadesof misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule wasestablished in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March 2003 amilitary coup deposed the civilian government of PresidentAnge-Felix PATASSE and has since established a new government.
Geography Central African Republic
Location:Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 622,984 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 622,984 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,203 kmborder countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, DemocraticRepublic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan1,165 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain:vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills innortheast and southwest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Oubangui River 335 mhighest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Natural resources:diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Land use:arable land: 3.1%permanent crops: 0.14%other: 96.76% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods arecommon
Environment - current issues:tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation asone of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification;deforestation
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
People Central African Republic
Population:3,683,538note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2003 est.)