Airports - with paved runways:total: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Military American Samoa
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues American Samoa
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Andorra
Introduction Andorra
Background:For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a uniqueco-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanishbishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with thetitular heads of state retained, but the government transformed intoa parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished,mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World WarII through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal)are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Geography Andorra
Location:Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates:42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 468 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 468 sq km
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain:rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:avalanches
Environment - current issues:deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soilerosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:party to: Hazardous Wastessigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in thePyrenees
People Andorra
Population:69,150 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.1% (male 5,473; female 4,974)15-64 years: 71.7% (male 26,063; female 23,542)65 years and over: 13.2% (male 4,543; female 4,555) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 39.1 yearsmale: 39.4 yearsfemale: 38.8 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.06% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:6.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 83.49 yearsmale: 80.58 yearsfemale: 86.58 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.27 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: Andorran(s)adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups:Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6%(1998)
Religions:Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages:Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Andorra
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Andorraconventional short form: Andorralocal short form: Andorralocal long form: Principat d'Andorra
Government type:parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as itsheads of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the presidentof France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are representedlocally by coprinces' representatives
Capital:Andorra la Vella
Administrative divisions:7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella,Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Juliade Loria
Independence:1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count ofFoix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
National holiday:Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Constitution:Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approvedby referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993
Legal system:based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995),represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); SpanishCoprince Episcopal Monsignor Joan Enric VIVES SICILIA (since 12 May2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA)elections: Executive Council president elected by the GeneralCouncil and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-yearterm; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive councilpresident; percent of General Council vote - NA%cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the ExecutiveCouncil presidenthead of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE(since 21 December 1994)
Legislative branch:unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de lasValls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 froma single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7parishes; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2005)election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 46.1%, PSD 30%, PD23.8%, other 0.1%; seats by party - PLA 15, PSD 6, PD 5,independents 2
Judicial branch:Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courtsor Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra orTribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justiceor Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or MinisteriFiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party or PD (formerly part of National Democratic Groupor AND) [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [MarcFORNE MOLNE] (used to be Liberal Union or UL); Liberal Union or UL[Francesc CERQUEDA]; National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BAROSOLO]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vicenc MATEU ZAMORA];New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU CASSANY]; Social DemocraticParty or PSD (formerly part of National Democratic Group of AND)[leader NA]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquiald'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO COMA]note: there are two other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, ECE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN,UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V.PIA-COMELLAchancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador toSpain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra arerepresented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain);mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;telephone: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and redwith the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coatof arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chadand Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in thecenter, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Economy Andorra
Economy - overview:Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million touristsvisit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by itssummer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage hasrecently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spainhave been opened up, providing broader availability of goods andlower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, alsocontributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production islimited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to beimported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, andfurniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and istreated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.8% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2000 est.)
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):4.3% (2000)
Labor force:33,000 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:0%
Budget:revenues: $385 millionexpenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997)
Industries:tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, 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:NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Agriculture - products:small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Exports:$58 million f.o.b. (1998)
Exports - commodities:tobacco products, furniture
Exports - partners:Spain 58%, France 34% (2000)
Imports:$1.077 billion (1998)
Imports - commodities:consumer goods, food, electricity
Imports - partners:Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:none
Currency:euro (EUR)
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94(1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Andorra
Telephones - main lines in use:32,946 (December 1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:14,117 (December 1998)
Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: landline circuits to France and Spain
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:0 (1997)
Televisions:27,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ad
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:24,500 (2001)
Transportation Andorra
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1994)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:none (2002)
Military Andorra
Military branches:no regular military forces, but there is a police force
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Transnational Issues Andorra
Disputes - international:none; border is undemarcated in sections but is not in dispute (afew French farmers still remain upset about the transfer of 35hectares of land to Andorra)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Angola
Introduction Angola
Background:Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence fromPortugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and theNational Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) providedfor the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the governmentand armed forces. A national unity government was installed in Aprilof 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, renderinghundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million livesmay have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century. Thedeath of insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequentcease-fire with UNITA may bode well for the country.
Geography Angola
Location:Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenNamibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,246,700 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 1,246,700 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,198 kmborder countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (ofwhich 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline:1,600 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 NMexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dryseason (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources:petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,bauxite, uranium
Land use: arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 97.19% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Environment - current issues:overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable topopulation pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropicalrain forest, in response to both international demand for tropicaltimber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss ofbiodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution andsiltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of theSea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest ofthe country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
People Angola
Population:10,766,471 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,363,829; female 2,317,610)15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,941,999; female 2,842,923)65 years and over: 2.8% (male 134,330; female 165,780) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 18.2 yearsmale: 18.2 yearsfemale: 18.2 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.97% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:45.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:25.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 193.82 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 180.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 206.26 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 36.96 yearsmale: 36.13 yearsfemale: 37.83 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.38 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:5.5% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:350,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:24,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Angolan(s)adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups:Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed Europeanand Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998est.)
Languages:Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 42%male: 56%female: 28% (1998 est.)
Government Angola
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Angolaconventional short form: Angolalocal short form: Angolaformer: People's Republic of Angolalocal long form: Republica de Angola
Government type:republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strongpresidential system
Capital:Luanda
Administrative divisions:18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela,Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene,Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico,Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence:11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March1991, and 26 August 1992
Legal system:based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recentlymodified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use offree markets
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state andhead of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS wasappointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not aposition of real powercabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term;President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without oppositionunder a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's firstmultiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA)election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making arun-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI'sNational Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats;members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA)election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD3, others 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by thepresident)
Political parties and leaders:Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputedleadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for theTotal Independence of Angola or UNITA [interim leader: PAULO Lukamba"Gato"], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armedresistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA[Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; SocialRenewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, AntonioMUACHICUNGO]note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 electionsbut only won a few seats and have little influence in the NationalAssembly
Political pressure groups and leaders:Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zitaHenriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE]note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armedstruggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer),OAU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDIFAX: [1] (202) 785-1258consulate(s) general: Houston and New Yorktelephone: [1] (202) 785-1156chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELLembassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area ofLuanda), Luandamailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC20521-2550telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224FAX: [244] (2) 446-924
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centeredyellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half acogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Economy Angola
Economy - overview:Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter centuryof nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace wasestablished after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI onFebruary 22, 2002, but consequences from the conflict continueincluding the impact of wide-spread land mines. Subsistenceagriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population.Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to theeconomy, contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half ofexports. Much of the country's food must still be imported. To fullytake advantage of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds,extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits -Angola will need to continue reforming government policies. WhileAngola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from 325%in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to makesufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such asincreasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greatertransparency in government spending. Increased oil production shouldbring about 6% GDP growth in 2003.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $18.36 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:9.4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 8%industry: 67%services: 25% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):106% (2002 est.)
Labor force:5 million (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than halfthe population (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $928 millionexpenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963million (1992 est.)
Industries:petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles
Industrial production growth rate:1%
Electricity - production:1.45 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:1.348 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:5.691 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:79.57 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Exports: $8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee,sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners:US 41.2%, China 13.7%, France 8%, Belgium 6.3%, Taiwan 6.3%, Japan4.9%, Spain 4.3% (2002)
Imports:$4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners:Portugal 20.2%, US 13.9%, South Africa 12.4%, France 6.7%, Brazil5.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Netherlands 4% (2002)
Debt - external:$9.9 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$383.5 million (1999)
Currency:kwanza (AOA)
Currency code:AOA
Exchange rates:kwanza per US dollar - 43.53 (2002), 22.06 (2001), 10.04 (2000),2.79 (1999), 0.39 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza wasrevalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Angola
Telephones - main lines in use:72,000 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:25,800 (2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to governmentand business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for militarylinksdomestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, andtropospheric scatterinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)
Radios:815,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:6 (2000)
Televisions:196,000 (2000)
Internet country code:.ao
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:60,000 (2002)
Transportation Angola
Railways: total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (1999)
Waterways:1,295 km
Pipelines:gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km;oil 845 km; refined products 56 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, PortoAmboim, Soyo
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,311 GRT/48,924 DWTships by type: cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:243 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 211over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 30914 to 1,523 m: 95under 914 m: 80 (2002)
Military Angola
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,568,082 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 109,752 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$222.7 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:5.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Angola
Disputes - international:gives shelter to thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republicof the Congo while thousands of Angolan refugees still remain inneighboring states as a consequence of the protracted civil wars inboth states
Illicit drugs:used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for WesternEurope and other African states
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Anguilla
Introduction Anguilla
Background:Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguillawas administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, whenthe island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - wasincorporated into a single British dependency, along with SaintKitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, twoyears after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; thisarrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becominga separate British dependency.
Geography Anguilla
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North AtlanticOcean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 102 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 102 sq km
Area - comparative:about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:61 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate:tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources:salt, fish, lobster
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, somecommercial salt ponds) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People Anguilla
Population:12,738 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24.3% (male 1,575; female 1,526)15-64 years: 68.8% (male 4,504; female 4,262)65 years and over: 6.8% (male 387; female 484) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 30 yearsmale: 30 yearsfemale: 29.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.21% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:14.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 22.8 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 15.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.7 yearsmale: 73.79 yearsfemale: 79.7 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.76 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: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups:black (predominant), mulatto, white
Religions:Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%,Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Languages:English (official)
Literacy:definition: age 12 and over can read and writetotal population: 95%male: 95%female: 95% (1984 est.)
Government Anguilla
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:The Valley
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution:Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Governor Peter JOHNSTONE (since NA February 2000)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed chief minister by the governorhead of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March2000)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among theelected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch:unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by directpopular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members servefive-year terms)elections: last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA June 2005)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front orUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the AnguillaDemocratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate),ECLAC (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlockingcircular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Economy Anguilla
Economy - overview:Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavilyon luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, andremittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourismindustry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have putsubstantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for theeconomy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, onrevived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as onfavorable weather conditions.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $104 million (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.8% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $8,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 4%industry: 18%services: 78% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3%
Labor force:6,049 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation: commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4% (2000 est,)
Unemployment rate:6.7% (2001)
Budget:revenues: $22.8 millionexpenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Industries:tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:3.1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:NA (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA%
Electricity - consumption:42.6 million kWh
Agriculture - products:small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Exports:$2.6 million (1999)
Exports - commodities:lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Exports - partners:UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000)
Imports:$80.9 million (1999)
Imports - commodities:fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Imports - partners:US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000)
Debt - external:$8.8 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient:$3.5 million (1995)
Currency:East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since1976)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Anguilla
Telephones - main lines in use:4,974 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,629 (2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: modern internal telephone systeminternational: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin(Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:3,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:1,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ai
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:919 (2000)
Transportation Anguilla
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Blowing Point, Road Bay
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:3 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Military Anguilla
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Anguilla
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Antarctica
Introduction Antarctica
Background:Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was notconfirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercialoperators and British and Russian national expeditions beganexploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south ofthe Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established thatAntarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20thcentury. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientificresearch on the continent. A number of countries have set upyear-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have madeterritorial claims, but no other country recognizes these claims. Inorder to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on thecontinent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither deniesnor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Geography Antarctica
Location:continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references:Antarctic Region
Area:total: 14 million sq kmnote: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, NorthAmerica, and South America, but larger than Australia and thesubcontinent of Europeland: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq kmice-covered) (est.)
Area - comparative:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on International disputes
Coastline:17,968 km
Maritime claims:none; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claimsto Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved theright to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the othernations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Climate:severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distancefrom the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarcticabecause of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the mostmoderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along thecoast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain:about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, withaverage elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain rangesup to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts ofsouthern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area,and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelvesalong about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelvesconstitute 11% of the area of the continent
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 mhighest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 mnote: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in theBentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yetdiscovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Natural resources:iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and otherminerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in smalluncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the highinterior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along thecoast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of WestAntarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs maycalve from ice shelf
Environment - current issues:in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone holewas the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light comingthrough the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fishlacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harmone-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas ofice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Geography - note:the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent;during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the SouthPole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostlyuninhabitable
People Antarctica
Population:no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffedresearch stationsnote: approximately 27 nations, all signatory to the AntarcticTreaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-roundresearch on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; thepopulation of persons doing and supporting science on the continentand its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (theregion covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboardresearch are present in the waters of the treaty region; summer(January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201,Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11,France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378(1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165,Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9,India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102,South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1,UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); summer-only stations - 32 total;Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1,Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); inaddition, during the austral summer some nations have numerousoccupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporaryfacilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2003est.)
Government Antarctica
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica
Government type: Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica. The 24th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Russia in July 2001. At the end of 2001, there were 45 treaty member nations: 27 consultative and 18 non-consultative. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 nonclaimant nations. The US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims. The US does not recognize the claims of others. Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Non-consultative (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999). Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations. Other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) marine pollution, 2) fauna and flora, 3) environmental impact assessments, 4) waste management, and 5) protected area management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research.