Ethnic groups:Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu,Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%
Religions:Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%note: officially atheist (2002 est.)
Languages:Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijingdialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan(Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages(see Ethnic groups entry)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 86%male: 92.9%female: 78.8% (2003 est.)
Government China
Country name:conventional long form: People's Republic of Chinaconventional short form: Chinalocal short form: Zhong Guoabbreviation: PRClocal long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
Government type:Communist state
Capital:Beijing
Administrative divisions:23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions*(zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities** (shi,singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Chongqing**, Fujian, Gansu,Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan,Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*,Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan,Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang; note -China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries forthe special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau
Independence:221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing orCh'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912;People's Republic established 1 October 1949)
National holiday:Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1October (1949)
Constitution:most recent promulgation 4 December 1982
Legal system:a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law;rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legalcodes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are beingmade to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) and VicePresident ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003)elections: president and vice president elected by the NationalPeople's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 15-17March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated bythe president, confirmed by the National People's Congresshead of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); VicePremiers HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENGPeiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003)cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress(NPC)election results: HU Jintao elected president by the Tenth NationalPeople's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (4 delegates votedagainst him, 4 abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghongelected vice president by the Tenth National People's Congress witha total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190abstained, and 38 did not vote); 2 seats were vacant
Legislative branch:unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin DaibiaoDahui (2,985 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, andprovincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms)elections: last held NA December 2002-NA February 2003 (next to beheld late 2007-NA February 2008)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA
Judicial branch:Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People'sCongress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate andlocal courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime,and railway transport courts)
Political parties and leaders:Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao, General Secretary of theCentral Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP
Political pressure groups and leaders:no substantial political opposition groups exist, although thegovernment has identified the Falungong sect and the China DemocracyParty as potential rivals
International organization participation:APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS,CDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OPCW, PCA, SCO, UN,UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, IFC, UNHCR, UNIDO,AfDB, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador YANG Jiechiconsulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, andSan FranciscoFAX: [1] (202) 328-2582telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831 FAX: [86] (10) 6532-6929 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenyang
Flag description:red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellowfive-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle ofthe flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Economy China
Economy - overview: In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish, Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. In 2003, with its 1.3 billion people but a GDP of just $5,000 per capita, China stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US (measured on a purchasing power parity basis). Agriculture and industry have posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment has helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (windfall gains and growing income disparities). China thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) collect revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 80 to 120 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to maintaining long-term growth in living standards. Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. Beijing says it will intensify efforts to stimulate growth through spending on infrastructure - such as water control and power grids - and poverty relief and through rural tax reform aimed at eliminating arbitrary local levies on farmers. Accession to the World Trade Organization helps strengthen China's ability to maintain strong growth rates but at the same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong political controls and growing market influences. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer internet use. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable economic growth.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $5.989 trillion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:8% (official data) (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.2% industry and construction: 51.2% services: 33.6% (2001)
Population below poverty line: 10% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.4% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:40 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.8% (2002 est.)
Labor force:744 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 50%, industry 22%, services 28% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:urban unemployment roughly 10%; substantial unemployment andunderemployment in rural areas (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $224.8 billionexpenditures: $267.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000)
Industries:iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles andapparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys,food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics,telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:12.6% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:1.42 trillion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 18.5% other: 0.1% (2001) nuclear: 1.2%
Electricity - consumption:1.312 trillion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:10.3 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:1.55 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:3.3 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:4.975 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:26.75 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:30.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:30.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.29 trillion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish
Exports:$325.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment; textiles and clothing, footwear, toys andsporting goods; mineral fuels
Exports - partners:US 21.5%, Hong Kong 18%, Japan 14.9%, South Korea 4.8% (2002)
Imports:$295.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, plastics, iron and steel,chemicals
Imports - partners:Japan 18.1%, Taiwan 10.5%, South Korea 9.7%, US 9.2%, Germany 5.6%(2002)
Debt - external:$149.4 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:yuan (CNY)note:: also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB)
Currency code:CNY
Exchange rates:yuan per US dollar - 8.28 (2002), 8.28 (2001), 8.28 (2000), 8.28(1999), 8.28 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications China
Telephones - main lines in use:135 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:65 million (January 2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: domestic and international services areincreasingly available for private use; unevenly distributeddomestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, andmany townsdomestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellulartelephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite systemwith 55 earth stations is in placeinternational: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 PacificOcean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); several internationalfiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, andGermany (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998)
Radios:417 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997)
Televisions:400 million (1997)
Internet country code:.cn
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:45.8 million (2002)
Transportation China
Railways:total: 71,600 kmstandard gauge: 68,000 km 1.435-m gauge (14,600 km electrified)narrow gauge: 3,600 km 1.000-m and 0.750-m gauge local industriallines (2002)
Highways:total: 1,402,698 kmpaved: 314,204 km (with at least 16,314 km of expressways)unpaved: 1,088,494 km (2000)
Waterways:110,000 km (1999)
Pipelines:gas 13,845 km; oil 15,143 km; refined products 3,280 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Nanjing,Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen,Tianjin, Wenzhou, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang (2001)
Merchant marine:total: 1,817 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,047,962 GRT/27,035,740 DWTships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 348, cargo 824, chemical tanker28, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 150,liquefied gas 28, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, passenger6, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum tanker 267, refrigerated cargo 26,roll on/roll off 21, short-sea passenger 42, specialized tanker 8,vehicle carrier 2note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Croatia 1, Germany 1, Hong Kong 16, Japan 2, Panama 2,South Korea 1, Spain 1, Taiwan 9, Tanzania 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:500 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 351over 3,047 m: 322,438 to 3,047 m: 1081,524 to 2,437 m: 143914 to 1,523 m: 29under 914 m: 39 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 149over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 25914 to 1,523 m: 48under 914 m: 71 (2002)
Military China
Military branches:People's Liberation Army (PLA): comprises ground forces, Navy(including naval infantry and naval aviation), Air Force, and IIArtillery Corps (strategic missile force), People's Armed PoliceForce (internal security troops, nominally a state security body butincluded by the Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and consideredto be an adjunct to the PLA), militia
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 375,520,255 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 206 million (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 10,973,761 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$55.91 billion (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.3% (FY02)
Transnational Issues China
Disputes - international:involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia,Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claimants inNovember 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties inthe South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fellshort of a legally binding "code of conduct"; much of the rugged,militarized boundary with India is in dispute, but the two sideshave participated in more than 13 rounds of joint working groupsessions on this issue; India objects to Pakistan ceding lands toChina in 1965 boundary agreement that India believes are part ofdisputed Kashmir; China, as well as Taiwan, claimsJapanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) islands;negotiations with Tajikistan resolved the longstanding boundarydispute; China and Kazakhstan have resolved their border dispute andare working to delimit their large open borders to controlpopulation migration, illegal activities, and trade; Kyrgyzstan'sconstitutional court rules that 1,270 sq km ceded to China in 2000delimitation agreement were legally transferred; certain islands inYalu and Tumen rivers are in uncontested dispute with North Koreaand a section of boundary around Mount Paektu is indefinite - Chinaobjects to illegal migration of North Koreans into northern China;China continues to seek a mutually acceptable solution to thedisputed alluvial islands with Russia at the confluence of the Amurand Ussuri rivers and a small island on the Argun river as part ofthe 2001 Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation;boundary agreements signed in 2002 with Tajikistan cedes 1,000 sq kmof Pamir Mountain range to China in return for China's relinquishingclaims to 28,000 sq km; demarcation of land boundary with Vietnamcontinues but maritime boundary and joint fishing zone agreementremains unratified; China occupies Paracel Islands also claimed byVietnam and Taiwan
Illicit drugs:major transshipment point for heroin produced in the GoldenTriangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country forchemical precursors and methamphetamine
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Christmas Island
Introduction Christmas Island
Background:Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexedand settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining beganin the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958.Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Geography Christmas Island
Location:Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 135 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 135 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:80 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain:steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources:phosphate, beaches
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100%note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a nationalpark (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritimehazard
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People Christmas Island
Population: 433 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:-9% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:NA (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: NA%male: NA%female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NA yearsmale: NA yearsfemale: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:NA 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: Christmas Islander(s)adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups:Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%note: no indigenous population (2001)
Religions:Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
Languages:English (official), Chinese, Malay
Literacy:NA
Government Christmas Island
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Islandconventional short form: Christmas Island
Dependency status:territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Departmentof Transport and Regional Services
Government type:NA
Capital:The Settlement
Administrative divisions:none (territory of Australia)
Independence:none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:NA
Constitution:NA
Legal system:under the authority of the governor general of Australia andAustralian law
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4February 1999)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
Legislative branch:unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members electedby popular vote to serve one-year terms)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December2003)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:none
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the ChristmasIsland Assembly held a design competition for an island flag,however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as theofficial flag of the territory
Economy Christmas Island
Economy - overview:Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity,but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a$34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. TheAustralian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of acommercial space-launching site on the island, slated to beginoperation in 2003.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%
Labor force:NA
Labor force - by occupation:tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995)
Unemployment rate:NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries:tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Agriculture - products:NA
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:phosphate
Exports - partners:Australia, NZ
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:consumer goods
Imports - partners:principally Australia
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:AUD
Exchange rates:Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001),1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Christmas Island
Telephones - main lines in use:NA
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: service provided by the Australian networkdomestic: only analog mobile telephone service is availableinternational: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth stationprovides telephone and telex service (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:600 (1997)
Internet country code:.cx
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Christmas Island
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways: total: 240 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 210 km (2000)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Christmas Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues Christmas Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Clipperton Island
Introduction Clipperton Island
Background:This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate whomade it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventuallyawarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935.
Geography Clipperton Island
Location:Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 kmsouthwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates:10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 6 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 6 sq km
Area - comparative:about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:11.1 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rainsMay-October
Terrain:coral atoll
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:reef 12 km in circumference
People Clipperton Island
Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.)
Government Clipperton Island
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Clipperton Islandlocal short form: Ile Clippertonlocal long form: noneformer: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Dependency status:possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesiaby a high commissioner of the Republic
Legal system:the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of France is used
Economy Clipperton Island
Economy - overview:Although 115 species of fish have been identified in theterritorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activityis tuna fishing.
Transportation Clipperton Island
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; offshore anchorage only
Military Clipperton Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Clipperton Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Introduction Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Background:There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William Keelingdiscovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited untilthe 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferredto the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the twoinhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans onWest Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.
Geography Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Location:Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwestof Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates:12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 14 sq kmnote: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Islandwater: 0 sq kmland: 14 sq km
Area - comparative:about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:26 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade windsfor about nine months of the year
Terrain:flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:cyclone season is October to April
Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Geography - note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
People Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Population: 630 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:0% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: NA%male: NA%female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NA yearsmale: NA yearsfemale: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:NA 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: Cocos Islander(s)adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups:Europeans, Cocos Malays
Religions:Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)
Languages:Malay (Cocos dialect), English
Government Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islandsconventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Dependency status:territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by theAustralian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Government type:NA
Capital:West Island
Administrative divisions:none (territory of Australia)
Independence:none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:NA
Constitution:Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system:based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage:NA
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by the Australian governor generalelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustraliahead of government: Administrator (nonresident) William LeonardTAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:none
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:the flag of Australia is used
Economy Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Economy - overview:Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop.Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, butadditional food and most other necessities must be imported fromAustralia. There is a small tourist industry.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%
Labor force:NA
Labor force - by occupation: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others
Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries:copra products and tourism
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Agriculture - products:vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:copra
Exports - partners:Australia (1999)
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Australia (1999)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:AUD
Exchange rates:Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001),1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:287 (1992)
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunicationsystemdomestic: NAinternational: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications withAustralia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station ofNA type (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
Radios:300 (1992)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.cc
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 15 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (2003)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory does havea five-person police force
Transnational Issues Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Colombia
Introduction Colombia
Background:Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from thecollapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador andVenezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the ColombianGovernment escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by fundsfrom the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and largeswaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, themovement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary tooverthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitarieshas grown to be several thousand strong in recent years, challengingthe insurgents for control of territory and illicit industries suchas the drug trade and the government's ability to exert its dominionover rural areas. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassertgovernment control throughout the country, neighboring countriesworry about the violence spilling over their borders.
Geography Colombia
Location:Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panamaand Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, betweenEcuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates:4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 1,138,910 sq kmland: 1,038,700 sq kmnote: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, andSerranilla Bankwater: 100,210 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries:total: 6,004 kmborder countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline:3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationterritorial sea: 12 NMexclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain:flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 mnote: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper,emeralds, hydropower
Land use:arable land: 1.9%other: 96.14% (1998 est.)permanent crops: 1.96%
Irrigated land:8,500 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes;periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse ofpesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicleemissions
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law ofthe Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note:only South American country with coastlines on both North PacificOcean and Caribbean Sea
People Colombia
Population:41,662,073 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 31.3% (male 6,601,581; female 6,447,679)15-64 years: 63.7% (male 12,931,093; female 13,626,333)65 years and over: 4.9% (male 913,798; female 1,141,589) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 25.6 yearsmale: 24.8 yearsfemale: 26.4 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.56% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:21.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.32 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: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 22.47 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 26.46 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.14 yearsmale: 67.29 yearsfemale: 75.12 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.61 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:140,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:5,600 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Colombian(s)adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups:mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixedblack-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%
Languages:Spanish
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.5%male: 92.4%female: 92.6% (2003 est.)
Government Colombia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Colombiaconventional short form: Colombialocal short form: Colombialocal long form: Republica de Colombia
Government type:republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital:Bogota
Administrative divisions:32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca,Atlantico, Distrito Capital de Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas,Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca,Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Nortede Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres yProvidencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes,Vichada
Independence:20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution:5 July 1991
Legal system:based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after USprocedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive andlegislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002);Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note -the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties- the PL and PSC - and independentselections: president and vice president elected by popular vote fora four-year term; election last held 26 May 2002 (next to be held NAMay 2006)election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez received 53% of thevote; Vice President Francisco SANTOS was elected on the same ticket
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado(102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-yearterms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes(166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-yearterms)elections: Senate - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NAMarch 2006); House of Representatives - last held 10 March 2002(next to be held NA March 2006)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - PL 28, PSC 13, independents and smaller parties (manyaligned with conservatives) 61; House of Representatives - percentof vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 54, PSC 21, independentsand other parties 91
Judicial branch:four coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice orCorte Suprema de Justical (highest court of criminal law; judges areselected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice foreight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrativelaw, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council ofJustice for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guardsintegrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules onconstitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, andinternational treaties); Higher Council of Justice (administers anddisciplines the civilian judiciary; members of the disciplinarychamber resolve jurisdictional conflicts arising between othercourts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress foreight-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Conservative Party or PSC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sardi]; Liberal Party orPL [Piedad CORDOBA and Juan Manuel LOPEZ Cabrales]; ColombianCommunist Party or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO]; 19 of April Movement or M-19[Antonio NAVARRO Wolff]note: Colombia has about 60 formally recognized political parties,most of which do not have a presence in either house of Congress
Political pressure groups and leaders:two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - RevolutionaryArmed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National Liberation Army orELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary group is UnitedSelf-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC
International organization participation:BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-3, G-24,G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES,LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejiachancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), andWashington, DCconsulate(s): AtlantaFAX: [1] (202) 232-8643telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197
Flag description:three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, andred; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears theEcuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Economy Colombia
Economy - overview:Colombia's economy suffers from weak domestic and foreign demand,austere government budgets, and serious internal armed conflict.Other economic problems facing the new president URIBE range fromreforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. Two ofColombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertainfuture; new exploration is needed to offset declining oilproduction, while coffee harvests and prices are depressed.Colombian business leaders are calling for greater progress insolving the conflict with insurgent groups. On the positive side,several international financial institutions have praised theeconomic reforms introduced by President URIBE and have pledgedenough funding to cover Colombia's debt servicing costs in 2003.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $251.6 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 30% services: 57% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:55% (2001)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 1%highest 10%: 44% (1999)