Geography Howland Island
Location:Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way betweenHawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates:0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 1.6 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 1.6 sq km
Area - comparative:about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:6.4 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain:low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrowfringing reef; depressed central area
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources:guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquaticwildlife
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritimehazard
Environment - current issues:no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, andlow-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily anesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,and marine wildlife
People Howland Island
Population:uninhabitednote: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air andnaval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military duringWorld War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is byspecial-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only andgenerally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annuallyby US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.)
Government Howland Island
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island
Dependency status:unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of theInterior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy Howland Island
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Howland Island
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boatlanding area along the middle of the west coast
Airports:airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on theround-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they leftLae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; theairstrip is no longer serviceable (2002)
Transportation - note:Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coastthat was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since beenrebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART
Military Howland Island
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the USCoast Guard
Transnational Issues Howland Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Hungary
Introduction Hungary
Background:Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, whichcollapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rulefollowing World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawalfrom the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military interventionby Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungarybegan liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "goulashCommunism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 andinitiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and isscheduled to accede to the EU along with nine other states on 1 May2004. In an April 2003 referendum, 84 percent voted in favor ofjoining the EU.
Geography Hungary
Location:Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates:47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 93,030 sq kmwater: 690 sq kmland: 92,340 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 2,171 kmborder countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km,Ukraine 103 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain:mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on theSlovakian border
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Tisza River 78 mhighest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources:bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Land use:arable land: 52.2%other: 45.34% (1998 est.)permanent crops: 2.46%
Irrigated land:2,100 sq km (1998 est.)
Environment - current issues: the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes betweenWestern Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine andMediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and TiszaRivers divide the country into three large regions
People Hungary
Population:10,045,407 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.1% (male 832,033; female 787,336)15-64 years: 69% (male 3,406,046; female 3,523,118)65 years and over: 14.9% (male 544,099; female 952,775) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 38.4 yearsmale: 35.7 yearsfemale: 41.1 years (2002)
Population growth rate:-0.29% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.32 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 8.58 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.17 yearsmale: 67.84 yearsfemale: 76.81 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.25 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,800 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Hungarian(s)adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic groups:Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%,Romanian 0.7%
Religions:Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other7.5%
Languages:Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.4%male: 99.5%female: 99.3% (2003 est.)
Government Hungary
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Hungaryconventional short form: Hungarylocal short form: Magyarorszaglocal long form: Magyar Koztarsasag
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Budapest
Administrative divisions:19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties*(singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros);Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*,Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*,Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom,Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy,Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*,Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala,Zalaegerszeg*
Independence:1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday:Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August
Constitution:18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals andconstitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister andalso established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997amendment streamlined the judicial system
Legal system:rule of law based on Western model
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Ferenc MADL (since 4 August 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Peter MEDGYESSY (since 27 May2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly onthe recommendation of the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held byJune 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on therecommendation of the presidentnote: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds oflegislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in thethird roundelection results: Ferenc MADL elected president; percent oflegislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third roundof voting); Peter MEDGYESSY elected prime minister; percent oflegislative vote - NA%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; membersare elected by popular vote under a system of proportional anddirect representation to serve four-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the voterequired for parliamentary representation in the first round) -Fidesz/MDF 48.70%, MSzP 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats byparty - Fidesz 164, MSzP 178, MDF 24, SzDSz 20elections: last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April2006)
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assemblyfor nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; ChristianDemocratic People's Party or KDNP [Laszlo VARGA, chairman];Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz-MPP [Jozsef SZASER, chairman];Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; HungarianDemocratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman];Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman];Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Laszlo KOVACS, chairman];Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ABEDA, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU(applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW,OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy Goodman BRINKER embassy: 1054 Szabadsag ter 12, Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Economy Hungary
Economy - overview:Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to amarket economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the BigFour European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strongeconomic growth and to work toward accession to the European Unionin May 2004. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP.Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms arewidespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling morethan $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgradedin 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central Europeantransition economies. Inflation has declined substantially, from 14%in 1998 to 4.7% in 2003; unemployment has persisted around the 6%level. Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner.Short-term issues include the reduction of the public sector deficitto 3% in 2004 and avoiding unjustified increases in wages.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $134 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $13,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.1% industry: 33.8% services: 62.1% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: 8.6% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:24.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:4.2 million (1997)
Labor force - by occupation:services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate:5.8% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $13 billionexpenditures: $14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Industries:mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods,textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:3.1% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:34.39 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.1% hydro: 0.5% other: 0.3% (2001) nuclear: 39%
Electricity - consumption:35.15 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:7.261 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:10.43 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:41,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:140,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:47,180 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:136,600 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:110.7 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:3.231 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:13.37 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:4 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:50.45 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products
Exports: $31.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment 57.6%, other manufactures 31.0%, foodproducts 7.5%, raw materials 1.9%, fuels and electricity 1.9% (2001)
Exports - partners:Germany 34.3%, Austria 8.5%, Italy 5.5%, France 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK4.5% (2002)
Imports:$33.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.3%, fuels andelectricity 8.2%, food products 2.9%, raw materials 2.0% (2001)
Imports - partners:Germany 25.3%, Austria 7.7%, Italy 7.5%, Russia 6%, China 5%,France 5% (2002)
Debt - external:$31.5 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA $250 million (2000)
Currency:forint (HUF)
Currency code:HUF
Exchange rates:forints per US dollar - 257.89 (2002), 286.49 (2001), 282.18(2000), 237.15 (1999), 214.4 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Hungary
Telephones - main lines in use:3.095 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.269 million (July 1999)
Telephone system:general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and iscapable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication servicedomestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunkservices are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwaveradio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections wasinitiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephonesinternational: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with allneighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest;satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and IndianOcean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT)system of ground terminals
Radio broadcast stations:AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios:7.01 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:4.42 million (1997)
Internet country code:.hu
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:1.2 million (2001)
Transportation Hungary
Railways:total: 7,875 kmbroad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gaugestandard gauge: 7,620 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage a cross-border,standard-gauge railway connecting Gyor, Sopron, and Ebenfurt (Gysevrailroad) with a route length of 101 km in Hungary and 65 km inAustria; 156 km of this line is electrified (2002)narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge
Highways:total: 188,203 kmpaved: 81,680 km (including 438 km of expressways)unpaved: 106,523 km (1999)
Waterways:1,373 km (permanently navigable) (1997)
Pipelines:gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Budapest, Dunaujvaros
Merchant marine:total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 3,784 GRT/5,500 DWTships by type: cargo 1
Airports:49 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 16
Heliports: 5 (2002)
Military Hungary
Military branches:Ground Forces, Air Forces
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,541,426 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,026,912 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 64,305 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.08 billion (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.75% (2002 est.)
Transnational Issues Hungary
Disputes - international:Hungary has yet to amend status law extending special social andcultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in neighboring states, whoprotest the law
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and forSouth American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producerof precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine andmethamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to moneylaundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Iceland
Introduction Iceland
Background:Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrantsduring the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts theworld's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing,established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland wassubsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askjavolcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and causedwidespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of theisland's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limitedhome rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independenceattained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesionare first-rate by world standards.
Geography Iceland
Location:Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates:65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references:Arctic Region
Area:total: 103,000 sq kmland: 100,250 sq kmwater: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:4,988 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windywinters; damp, cool summers
Terrain:mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coastdeeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
Natural resources:fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:arable land: 1%other: 70% (2001 est.)forest and woodlands: 1%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 28%
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewatertreatment
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, Hazardous Wastes,Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Oil Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Persistent OrganicPollutants, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmostEuropean country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital inthe world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continentalEurope
People Iceland
Population:280,798 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22.7% (male 32,902; female 30,952)15-64 years: 65.4% (male 92,519; female 91,000)65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,973; female 18,452) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 34 yearsmale: 33.2 yearsfemale: 34.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.49% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.8 yearsmale: 77.54 yearsfemale: 82.22 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:220 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Icelander(s)adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups:homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%,population of foreign origin 6%
Religions:Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic1.7%, other 7.1% (2002)
Languages:Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.9% (1997 est.)male: NA%female: NA%
Government Iceland
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Icelandconventional short form: Icelandlocal short form: Islandlocal long form: Lydhveldidh Island
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:Reykjavik
Administrative divisions:23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns*(kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*,Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla,Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla,Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*,Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla,Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la,Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla,Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*,Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla,Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*,Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla,Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssyslanote: there may be four other counties
Independence:1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown);17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday:Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Constitution:16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Legal system:civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August1996)head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April1991)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved byParliamentelection results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 andwas reelectedelections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected bypopular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996(next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed inJune 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed bythe president
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%,Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party -Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, ProgressiveParty 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life bythe Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices areappointed for life by the Minister of Justice)
Political parties and leaders:Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance orLGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [GudjonKRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; SocialDemocratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, SocialDemocratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON];Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women'sList or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA,NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU,UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSONchancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704consulate(s) general: New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 265-6656telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDENembassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavikmailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340telephone: [354] 5629100FAX: [354] 5629118
Flag description:blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges ofthe flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoistside in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Iceland
Economy - overview:Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yetwith an extensive welfare system (including generous housingsubsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution ofincome. In the absence of other natural resources (except forabundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy dependsheavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of exportearnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remainssensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations inworld prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum,and ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the budgetand current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containinginflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifyingthe economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The governmentremains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders'concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland'seconomy has been diversifying into manufacturing and serviceindustries in the last decade, and new developments in softwareproduction, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place.The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends inecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in anenvironment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, andinflation dropped back from 5% to 2%.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $8.444 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-0.6% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)industry: 21%services: 65% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:159,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999)
Unemployment rate:2.8% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $3.5 billionexpenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467million (1999)
Industries:fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production,geothermal power; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:0.2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:7.894 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 82.5% other: 17.5% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:7.341 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:16,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:0 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:15,470 bbl/day (2001)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish
Exports:$2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite,ferrosilicon
Exports - partners:Germany 18.5%, UK 17.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, US 10.9%, Spain 5.2%,Denmark 4.6%, Portugal 4.3%, Norway 4.2% (2002)
Imports:$2.1 billion (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%,Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002)
Debt - external:$2.6 billion (1999)
Economic aid - donor:$NA
Currency:Icelandic krona (ISK)
Currency code:ISK
Exchange rates:Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62(2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Iceland
Telephones - main lines in use:196,984 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: extensive domestic servicedomestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-opticcables and microwave radio relay linksinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (AtlanticOcean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note -Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordiccountries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:260,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:98,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.is
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):20 (2001)
Internet users:220,000 (2002)
Transportation Iceland
Railways:0 km
Highways:total: 12,955 kmpaved/oiled gravel: 3,863 kmunpaved: 9,092 km (2003)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn,Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar
Merchant marine:total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWTships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:86 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 13over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 731,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 21under 914 m: 49 (2002)
Military Iceland
Military branches:no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 71,157 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$0
Military - note:defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF)headquartered at Keflavik
Transnational Issues Iceland
Disputes - international:Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, andthe UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in theRockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands'fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark,the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelfboundary outside 200 NM
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@India
Introduction India
Background:The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goesback at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invadedabout 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants createdthe classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8thcentury and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders,beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain hadassumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolentresistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI andJawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent wasdivided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim stateof Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resultedin East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute withPakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmentaldegradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife, allthis despite impressive gains in economic investment and output.
Geography India
Location:Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal,between Burma and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates:20 00 N, 77 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 3,287,590 sq kmland: 2,973,190 sq kmwater: 314,400 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 14,103 kmborder countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km
Coastline:7,000 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 tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
Terrain:upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain alongthe Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m
Natural resources:coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese,mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds,petroleum, limestone, arable land
Land use:arable land: 54.35%permanent crops: 2.66%other: 42.99% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:590,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructiveflooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; airpollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; waterpollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tapwater is not potable throughout the country; huge and growingpopulation is overstraining natural resources
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine LivingResources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Oceantrade routes
People India
Population:1,049,700,118 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32.2% (male 173,973,350; female 163,979,116)15-64 years: 63% (male 342,620,712; female 319,259,867)65 years and over: 4.8% (male 25,281,756; female 24,585,317) (2003est.)
Median age: total: 24.1 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.2 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.47% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:23.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 59.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 58.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 60.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 63.62 yearsmale: 62.92 yearsfemale: 64.37 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.91 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.8% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3.97 million (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:310,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Indian(s)adjective: Indian
Ethnic groups:Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)
Religions:Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groupsincluding Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000)
Languages:English enjoys associate status but is the most important languagefor national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is thenational language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu,Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri,Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urduspoken widely throughout northern India but is not an officiallanguage
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 59.5%male: 70.2%female: 48.3% (2003 est.)
Government India
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Indiaconventional short form: India
Government type:federal republic
Capital:New Delhi
Administrative divisions:28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*,Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*,Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa,Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand,Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab,Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh,West Bengal
Independence:15 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday:Republic Day, 26 January (1950)
Constitution:26 January 1950
Legal system:based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Abdul KALAM (since 26 July 2002); VicePresident Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 12 August 2002)elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting ofelected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures ofthe states for a five-year term; election last held NA July 2002(next to be held NA July 2007); vice president elected by bothhouses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12August 2002 (next to be held NA August 2007); prime minister electedby parliamentary members of the majority party following legislativeelections; election last held NA October 1999 (next to be held NAOctober 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Atal Bihari VAJPAYEE (since 19March 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelection results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent ofelectoral college vote - NA%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vicepresident; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8%; Atal Bihari VAJPAYEEelected prime minister; percent of vote - NA%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States orRajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to12 of which are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosenby the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies;members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha(545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by thepresident; members serve five-year terms)elections: People's Assembly - last held 5 September through 3October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - BJPalliance 40.8%, Congress (I) alliance 33.8%, other 25.4%; seats byparty - BJP alliance 304, Congress (I) alliance 134, other 107
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president and remain inoffice until they reach the age of 65)
Political parties and leaders:All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [C. JayalalithaJAYARAM]; All India Forward Bloc or AIFB, [D. BISWAS (generalsecretary)]; Asom Gana Parishad [Brindaban GOSWAMI]; Bahujan SamajParty or BSP [MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [JanaKRISNAMURTHY]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; CommunistParty of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party ofIndia/Marxist-Leninist or CPI/ML [Dipankar BHATTACHARYA]; Congress(I) Party [Sonia GANDHI]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (aregional party in Tamil Nadu) [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian NationalLeague [Suliaman SAITH]; Janata Dal (Secular) [H. D. Deve GOWDA];Janata Dal (United) or JDU [Sharad YADAV]; Kerala Congress (Manifaction) [K. M. MANI]; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam orMDMK [VAIKO]; Muslim League [G. M. BANATWALA]; Nationalist CongressParty or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [LalooPrasad YADAV]; Revolutionary Socialist Party or RSP [Abani ROY];Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal [G.S. TOHRA]; Shiv Sena [Bal THACKERAY]; Tamil Maanila Congress [G. K.VASAN]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu NAIDU]; TrinamoolCongress [Mamata BANERJEE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations,including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and RashtriyaSwayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greatercommunal and/or regional autonomy, including the All PartiesHurriyat Conference
International organization participation:AfDB, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS,C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC,NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lalit MANSINGH consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 483-3972 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Embassy located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. BLACKWILL embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (11) 419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay)
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top),white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered inthe white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a smallorange disk centered in the white band
Economy India
Economy - overview:India's economy encompasses traditional village farming, modernagriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and amultitude of support services. Overpopulation severely handicaps theeconomy and about a quarter of the population is too poor to be ableto afford an adequate diet. Government controls have been reduced onimports and foreign investment, and privatization of domestic outputhas proceeded slowly. The economy has posted an excellent averagegrowth rate of 6% since 1990, reducing poverty by about 10percentage points. India has large numbers of well-educated peopleskilled in the English language; India is a major exporter ofsoftware services and software workers; the information technologysector leads the strong growth pattern. The World Bank and othersworry about the continuing public-sector budget deficit, running atapproximately 10% of GDP in 1997-2002. In 2003 the state-ownedIndian Bank substantially reduced non-performing loans, attractednew customers, and turned a profit. Deep-rooted problems remain,notably conflicts among political and cultural groups.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $2.664 trillion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 25% services: 50% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line: 25% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 33.5% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:37.8 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.4% (2002 est.)
Labor force:406 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 60%, services 23%, industry 17% (1999)
Unemployment rate:8.8% (2002)
Budget:revenues: $48.3 billionexpenditures: $78.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $14(FY01/02 est.)
Industries:textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportationequipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:533.3 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81.7% hydro: 14.5% other: 0.3% (2001) nuclear: 3.4%
Electricity - consumption:497.2 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:321 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:1.54 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:732,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2.13 million bbl/day (2001 est.)