Geography Guam
Location:Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters ofthe way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 549 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 549 sq km
Area - comparative:three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:125.5 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeasttrade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from Julyto December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flatcoralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steepcoastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills incenter, mountains in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources:fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:arable land: 10.91%permanent crops: 10.91%other: 78.18% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, butpotentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Environment - current issues:extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation ofthe brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geography - note:largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People Guam
Population:163,941 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35.1% (male 30,334; female 27,264)15-64 years: 58.4% (male 50,258; female 45,538)65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,269; female 5,278) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 25.2 yearsmale: 25.6 yearsfemale: 24.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.89% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:23.19 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:4.29 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.14 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.27 yearsmale: 75.96 yearsfemale: 80.9 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.62 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: Guamanian(s)adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic groups:Chamorro 37%, Filipino 26%, white 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,and other 27%
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Languages:English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (1990 est.)
Government Guam
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Guamconventional short form: Guamlocal long form: Guahan
Dependency status:organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relationsbetween Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office ofInsular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:NA
Capital:Hagatna (Agana)
Administrative divisions:none (territory of the US)
Independence:none (territory of the US)
National holiday:Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Constitution:Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system:modeled on US; US federal laws apply
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in USpresidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)election results: Felix P. P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent ofvote - Felix P. P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A.UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6%elections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governorelected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term;election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)head of government: Governor Felix P. P. CAMACHO (since 6 January2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003)cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor withthe consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve two-year terms)elections: last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November2004)note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House ofRepresentatives; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be heldNA November 2004); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party)was elected as delegate; percent of vote by party - Democratic Party64.6%, Republican Party 35.4%; seats by party - Democratic Party 1election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6
Judicial branch:Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms bythe governor)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party (controls the legislature) [speaker, Vicente (Ben)PANGELINAN]; Republican Party (party of Governor CAMACHO) [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of the US)
Flag description:territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all foursides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipsecontaining a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm treewith the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is thenational flag
Economy Guam
Economy - overview:The economy depends on US military spending, tourism, and theexport of fish and handicrafts. Total US grants, wage payments, andprocurement outlays amounted to $1 billion in 1998. Over the past 20years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating aconstruction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones.More than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The industry hasrecently suffered setbacks because of the continuing Japaneseslowdown; the Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the tourists.Most food and industrial goods are imported. Guam faces the problemof building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact ofmilitary downsizing.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $3.2 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:23% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0% (1999 est.)
Labor force:60,000 (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: federal and territorial government 26%, private 74% (trade 24%, other services 40%, industry 10%) (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:15% (2000 est.)
Budget:revenues: $340 millionexpenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Industries:US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services,concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:830 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:771.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products:fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Exports:$75.7 million f.o.b. (1999 est.)
Exports - commodities:mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products; constructionmaterials, fish, food and beverage products
Exports - partners:Japan 81.7%, South Korea 6.1%, Canada 2.4% (2002)
Imports:$203 million f.o.b. (1999 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:Singapore 40.5%, South Korea 21.7%, Japan 21.6%, Hong Kong 4.9%(2002)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income or excisetaxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the GuamTreasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxespaid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency:US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Guam
Telephones - main lines in use:84,134 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:55,000 (1998)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilitiesfor direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbersdomestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile serviceand local access to the Internetinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (PacificOcean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam is a trans-Pacificcommunications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, and GTE, linking theUS and Asia)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2003)
Radios:221,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (1997)
Televisions:106,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.gu
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):20 (2000)
Internet users:5,000 (2000)
Transportation Guam
Railways:0 km
Highways:total: 885 kmpaved: 675 kmunpaved: 210 kmnote: there are also 685 km of roads classified non-public,including roads located on federal government installations
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Apra Harbor
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:5 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Military Guam
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Guam
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Guatemala
Introduction Guatemala
Background:Guatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule in 1821. During thesecond half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety ofmilitary and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrillawar. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formallyending the conflict, which had led to the death of more than 100,000people and had created some 1 million refugees.
Geography Guatemala
Location:Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between ElSalvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (CaribbeanSea) between Honduras and Belize
Geographic coordinates:15 30 N, 90 15 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 108,890 sq kmwater: 460 sq kmland: 108,430 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,687 kmborder countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline:400 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestoneplateau (Peten)
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Natural resources:petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 5.03% other: 82.43% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:1,250 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violentearthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes andother tropical storms
Environment - current issues:deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography - note:no natural harbors on west coast
People Guatemala
Population:13,909,384 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.9% (male 3,052,658; female 2,908,428)15-64 years: 53.8% (male 3,779,688; female 3,706,315)65 years and over: 3.3% (male 215,653; female 246,642) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 18.3 yearsmale: 18.1 yearsfemale: 18.5 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.66% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:35.05 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:6.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.71 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: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 37.92 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 37.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 38.72 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 65.23 yearsmale: 64.31 yearsfemale: 66.21 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.67 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:67,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:5,200 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Guatemalan(s)adjective: Guatemalan
Ethnic groups:Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - inlocal Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian orpredominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2%
Religions:Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Languages:Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognizedAmerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam,Garifuna, and Xinca)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 70.6%male: 78%female: 63.3% (2003 est.)
Government Guatemala
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Guatemalaconventional short form: Guatemalalocal short form: Guatemalalocal long form: Republica de Guatemala
Government type:constitutional democratic republic
Capital:Guatemala
Administrative divisions:22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); AltaVerapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso,Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, SantaRosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 followingouster of president; amended November 1993
Legal system:civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forcesmay not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera(since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez(since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999(next to be held NA November 2003)election results: Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera electedpresident; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG)68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32%
Legislative branch:unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica(140 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-yearterms)elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held NA November2007)note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressionalseats increased to 140 from 113election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -GANA 49, FRG 42, UNE 33, PAN 16
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteenmembers serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president ofthe Court each year from among their number; the president of theSupreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around thecountry, who are named to five-year terms); Constitutional Court orCorte de Constitutcionalidad (five judges are elected for concurrentfive-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president ofthe Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected bythe Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, oneelected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala,and one by Colegio de Abogados)
Political parties and leaders:Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; DemocraticUnion or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA[leader NA]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz];Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo];Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Secretary GeneralAlba ESTELA Maldonado]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [EfrainRIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZVillanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [FranciscoBIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Secretary GeneralLeonel LOPEZ Rodas]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOMCaballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN, formed by an alliance ofDIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequentlydefected [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGROCottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; PatriotParty or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ Molina]; ProgressiveLiberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movementor MR [Secretary General Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE]; Unionista Party[leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI;Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee ofAgricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations orCACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM
International organization participation:BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL,PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio Fernando ARENALES Forno chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Randle HAMILTON embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 331-1541/55 FAX: [502] 334-8477
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, andlight blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; thecoat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird)and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposedon a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framedby a wreath
Economy Guatemala
Economy - overview:The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP,two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar,and bananas are the main products. Former President ARZU (1996-2000)worked to implement a program of economic liberalization andpolitical modernization. President PORTILLO has continued theliberalization program but with more sporadic results. The 1996signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war,removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but numerouscorruption scandals associated with the PORTILLO administration havedampened investor confidence. The distribution of income remainshighly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the povertyline. Ongoing challenges include increasing the government revenues,negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgradingboth government and private financial operations, and narrowing thetrade deficit. A free trade agreement between the US and CentralAmerican countries promises greater access to US and neighboringmarkets.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $53.2 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 20% services: 57% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 75% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 46% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:55.8 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):8.1% (2002 est.)
Labor force:4.2 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.5% (1999 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.3 billionexpenditures: $2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $750million (2002 est.)
Industries:sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum,metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:4.1% (1999)
Electricity - production:6.237 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 51.9% hydro: 35.2% other: 12.9% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:5.559 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:336 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:95 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:21,080 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:61,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:263 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.543 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Exports: $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, meat, apparel, petroleum, electricity
Exports - partners:US 58.7%, El Salvador 9.3%, Nicaragua 3.1% (2002)
Imports:$5.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,grain, fertilizers, electricity
Imports - partners:US 33.2%, Mexico 9.9%, South Korea 8.2%, El Salvador 5.7%, China 4%(2002)
Debt - external:$4.9 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$250 million (2000 est.)
Currency:quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed
Currency code:GTQ; USD
Exchange rates:quetzales per US dollar - 7.82 (2002), 7.86 (2001), 7.76 (2000),7.39 (1999), 6.39 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Guatemala
Telephones - main lines in use:665,061 (June 2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:663,296 (September 2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city ofGuatemaladomestic: NAinternational: connected to Central American Microwave System;satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)
Radios:835,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:1.323 million (1997)
Internet country code:.gt
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2000)
Internet users:200,000 (2002)
Transportation Guatemala
Railways: total: 886 km narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)
Highways:total: 14,118 kmpaved: 4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways)unpaved: 9,247 km (1999)
Waterways:990 kmnote: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigableduring highwater season
Pipelines:oil 480 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomasde Castilla
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:466 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 112,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 4552,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 9914 to 1,523 m: 115under 914 m: 330 (2002)
Military Guatemala
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 3,320,077 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,167,270 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 151,294 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$120 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.6% (FY99)
Transnational Issues Guatemala
Disputes - international:Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in Belize border region;OAS brokered Differendum in 2002 creating small adjustment to landboundary, large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, jointecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UKfinancial package, but agreement was not brought to popularreferendum leaving Guatemalan claim to southern half of Belize intact
Illicit drugs:major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer ofillicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic consumption;proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs(cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is a seriousproblem; corruption is a major problem
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Guernsey
Introduction Guernsey
Background:The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent thelast remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held swayin both France and England. The islands were the only British soiloccupied by German troops in World War II.
Geography Guernsey
Location:Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 78 sq kmnote: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some othersmaller islandswater: 0 sq kmland: 78 sq km
Area - comparative:about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:50 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: 12 NMterritorial sea: 3 NM
Climate:temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days areovercast
Terrain:mostly level with low hills in southwest
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m
Natural resources: cropland
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
People Guernsey
Population:64,818 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.8% (male 5,216; female 5,061)15-64 years: 66.8% (male 21,433; female 21,835)65 years and over: 17.4% (male 4,705; female 6,568) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 40.2 yearsmale: 39.3 yearsfemale: 41.1 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.34% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:9.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 80.04 yearsmale: 77.04 yearsfemale: 83.14 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.37 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: Channel Islander(s)adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups:UK and Norman-French descent
Religions:Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational,Methodist
Languages:English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Guernsey
Country name:conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernseyconventional short form: Guernsey
Dependency status:British crown dependency
Government type:NA
Capital:Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions:none (British crown dependency); there are no first-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare 10 parishes including Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson, Vale,Castel, Saint Saviour, Saint Pierre du Bois, Torteval, Forest, SaintMartin, Saint Andrew
Independence:none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:English law and local statute; justice is administered by the RoyalCourt
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governorappointed by the monarch; bailiff appointed by the monarchhead of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt.Gen. Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000) and Bailiff de Vic Graham CAREY(since NA 1999)cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee appointed by the Assembly ofthe States
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly of the States; consists of the bailiff, 10Douzaine (parish council) representatives, 45 people's deputieselected by popular vote, 2 representatives from Alderney, HerMajesty's Procureur (Attorney General), Her Majesty's Comptroller(Solicitor General) and Her Majesty's Greffier (Court Recorder andRegistrar General); note - Alderney and Sark have their ownparliamentselections: last held 12 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:Royal Court
Political parties and leaders:none; all 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:white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England)extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross ofWilliam the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross
Economy Guernsey
Economy - overview:Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance, etc. -account for about 55% of total income in this tiny Channel Islandeconomy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoesand cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death dutiesmake Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integrationof the EU nations is changing the rules of the game under whichGuernsey operates.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.7% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $20,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 3%industry: 10%services: 87% (2000)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.99% (2000 est.)
Labor force:31,322 (2000)
Unemployment rate:0.5% (1999 est.)
Budget:revenues: $381.3 millionexpenditures: $368.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Industries:tourism, banking
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Agriculture - products:tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit;Guernsey cattle
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, othervegetables
Exports - partners:UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment
Imports - partners:UK (regarded as internal trade)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey pound
Currency code:GBP
Exchange rates:Guernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001),0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Guernseypound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Guernsey
Telephones - main lines in use:44,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular:12,000 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: 1 submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.gg
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:NA
Transportation Guernsey
Railways: 5 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:2 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Military Guernsey
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Guernsey
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Guinea
Introduction Guinea
Background:Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democraticelections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the militarygovernment) was elected president of the civilian government. He wasreelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over intoGuinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency.
Geography Guinea
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenGuinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates:11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 245,857 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 245,857 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline: 320 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June toNovember) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish
Land use: arable land: 3.6% permanent crops: 2.44% other: 93.96% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:950 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dryseason
Environment - current issues:deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing,overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led toenvironmental damage
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sourcesin the Guinean highlands
People Guinea
Population:9,030,220 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,027,970; female 1,986,300)15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,358,566; female 2,372,384)65 years and over: 3.2% (male 124,382; female 160,618) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 17.7 yearsmale: 17.4 yearsfemale: 17.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.37% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:42.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:15.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea ishost to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees(2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 87.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 98.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 49.54 yearsmale: 48.28 yearsfemale: 50.83 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.9 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.54% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:55,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:9,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Guinean(s)adjective: Guinean
Ethnic groups:Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Religions:Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages:French (official), each ethnic group has its own language
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 35.9%male: 49.9%female: 21.9% (1995 est.)
Government Guinea
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Guineaconventional short form: Guinealocal short form: Guineeformer: French Guinealocal long form: Republique de Guinee
Government type:republic
Capital:Conakry
Administrative divisions:33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa,Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah,Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia,Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola,Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele,Tougue, Yomou
Independence:2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
Constitution:23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system:based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legalcodes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of militarygovernment since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)head of government: Prime Minister Lamine SIDIME (since 8 March 1999)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be electedpresident; election last held 14 December 1998 (next to be held NADecember 2003); the prime minister is appointed by the presidentelection results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote- Lansana CONTE (PUP) 56.1%, Mamadou Boye BA (UPR) 24.6%, AlphaCONDE (RPG) 16.6%,
Legislative branch:unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee NationalePopulaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote toserve five-year terms)elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%,other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [ElHadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress orUNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [LansanaCONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or PPG[Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE];Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union forProgress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general];Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green;uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy Guinea
Economy - overview:Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agriculturalresources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The countrypossesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is thesecond-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted forabout 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in governmentfiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed ifthe country is to move out of poverty. The government madeencouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reformprogress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment.However, fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders hascaused major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defensecosts, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investorconfidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff,while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in localmarkets. Multilateral aid - including Heavily Indebted PoorCountries (HIPC) debt relief - and single digit inflation permittedmoderate 3.7% growth in 2002. Growth should strengthen in 2003because of a slowly improving security situation and increasedinvestor confidence.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $18.69 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 37% services: 38% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (1994 est.)