Legal system:Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultativemember nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out bythese member nations (within their areas) in accordance with theirown national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by oragainst US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially.Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, theAntarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., providescivil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unlessauthorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals orbirds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entryinto specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal ofpollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items fromAntarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carriespenalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison. TheNational Science Foundation and Department of Justice shareenforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US AntarcticConservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditionsfrom the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office ofOceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, whichreports such plans to other nations as required by the AntarcticTreaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of PolarPrograms, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230;telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov.
Economy Antarctica
Economy - overview:Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account forthe limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulatedfishing, particularly of tooth fish, is a serious problem. Allegedlyillegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure(by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. TheConvention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resourcesdetermines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A totalof 12,248 tourists visited in the 2000-01 antarctic summer, downfrom the 14,762 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of themwere passengers on 21 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and severalyachts that made trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lastedapproximately two weeks.
Communications Antarctica
Telephones - main lines in use:0note: information for US bases only (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA; Iridium system in use
Telephone system:general assessment: local systems at some research stationsdomestic: NAinternational: via satellite from some research stations
Radio broadcast stations:AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1note: information for US bases only (2002)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces AntarcticNetwork-McMurdo)note: information for US bases only (2002)
Televisions:several hundred at McMurdo Station (US)note: information for US bases only (2001)
Internet country code:.aq
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Transportation Antarctica
Ports and harbors:there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; mostcoastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies aretransferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, andhelicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastalstations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under"Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection inaccordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage issparse and intermittent
Airports:30note: 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to theAntarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for eitherhelicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprisesoperate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter padsare available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel,sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled,fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km inlength, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length;snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wingaircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 aregreater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length,2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km inlength, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilitiesgenerally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resultingfrom extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landingfacilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from therespective governmental or nongovernmental operating organizationrequired for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection inaccordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Heliports: 27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002)
Military Antarctica
Military - note:the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature,such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, thecarrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type ofweapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment forscientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Transnational Issues Antarctica
Disputes - international:Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary inGovernment type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed byArgentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US andmost other states do not recognize the territorial claims of otherstates and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reservethe right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with landclaims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit datato the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf toextend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges
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@Antigua and Barbuda
Introduction Antigua and Barbuda
Background:The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua andBarbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated theislands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Earlysettlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the Englishwho formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugarplantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became anindependent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
Geography Antigua and Barbuda
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:17 03 N, 61 48 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)water: 0 sq kmnote: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq kmland: 443 sq km
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:153 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some highervolcanic areas
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Natural resources:NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:arable land: 18.18%permanent crops: 0%other: 81.82% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harborsand beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor
People Antigua and Barbuda
Population:67,897 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 28.1% (male 9,706; female 9,371)15-64 years: 67.4% (male 22,929; female 22,845)65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,218; female 1,828) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 29.1 yearsmale: 28.6 yearsfemale: 29.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.64% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:18.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.31 yearsmale: 68.99 yearsfemale: 73.75 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.28 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: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic groups:black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Religions:Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and someRoman Catholic)
Languages:English (official), local dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years ofschoolingtotal population: 89%male: 90%female: 88% (1960 est.)
Government Antigua and Barbuda
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Government type:constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament
Capital:Saint John's
Administrative divisions:6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George,Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Independence:1 November 1981 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)
Constitution:1 November 1981
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 General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosenby the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; followinglegislative elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime ministerby the governor generalcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general onthe advice of the prime ministerhead of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March1994); Deputy Prime Minister Robin YEARWOOD
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member bodyappointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives(17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation toserve five-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - ALP 53.2%, UPP 45.5%,independent 1.3%; seats by party - ALP 12, UPP 4, independent 1elections: House of Representatives - last held 9 March 1999 (nextto be held prior to March 2004)
Judicial branch:Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge ofthe Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over theCourt of Summary Jurisdiction)
Political parties and leaders:Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People'sMovement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP[Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - UnitedNational Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean LiberationMovement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM)
Political pressure groups and leaders:Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People'sDemocratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
International organization participation:ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO(subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Flag description:red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge ofthe flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black(top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the blackband
Economy Antigua and Barbuda
Economy - overview:Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more thanhalf of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 haveslowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tightfiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production isfocused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited watersupply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wagesin tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-typeassembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts,and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in themedium term will continue to depend on income growth in theindustrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts forslightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $750 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 3.9%industry: 19.2%services: 76.8% (2002)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.4% (2000 est.)
Labor force:30,000
Labor force - by occupation:commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983)
Unemployment rate:11% (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $123.7 millionexpenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Industries:tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol,household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate:6% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:105.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:97.89 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock
Exports:$40 million
Exports - commodities:petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transportequipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%
Exports - partners:France 68.5%, Germany 26.4%, Italy 1.2% (2002)
Imports:$357 million (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities:food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,manufactures, chemicals, oil
Imports - partners:France 23.4%, Germany 14.2%, US 13.2%, Poland 9.8%, South Korea8.3%, Singapore 5%, UK 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:$231 million (1999)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.3 million (1995)
Currency:East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7(2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Antigua and Barbuda
Telephones - main lines in use:28,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,300 (1996)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: good automatic telephone systeminternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station -1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba(Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:36,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1997)
Televisions:31,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ag
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:5,000 (2001)
Transportation Antigua and Barbuda
Railways:total: 77 kmnarrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almostexclusively for handling sugarcane) (2001 est.)
Highways:total: 250 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Saint John's
Merchant marine:total: 816 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,135,866 GRT/6,648,143 DWTnote: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Australia 1, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 3, Colombia 1, Cuba1, Estonia 1, Germany 747, Greece 1, Iceland 8, Latvia 1, Lebanon 2,Lithuania 1, Netherlands 22, New Zealand 2, Portugal 1, Slovenia 6,South Africa 1, Sweden 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 7 (2002est.)ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 474, chemical tanker 8, combinationbulk 3, container 255, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-loadcarrier 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/rolloff 35
Airports:3 (2002)
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 Antigua and Barbuda
Military branches:Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and BarbudaPolice Force (including the Coast Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA%
Transnational Issues Antigua and Barbuda
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for theUS and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center
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@Arctic Ocean
Introduction Arctic Ocean
Background:The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (afterthe Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recentlydelimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) andNorthern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonalwaterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routescircumscribes the Arctic Ocean.
Geography Arctic Ocean
Location:body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly northof the Arctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:90 00 N, 0 00 E
Map references:Arctic Region
Area:total: 14.056 million sq kmnote: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea,East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, KaraSea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:45,389 km
Climate:polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relativelynarrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized bycontinuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clearskies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggyweather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Terrain:central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack thataverages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges maybe three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the BeaufortGyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the NewSiberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland andIceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer,but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to theencircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continentalshelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a centralbasin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera,Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Natural hazards:ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extremenortheastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice lockedfrom October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing fromOctober to May
Environment - current issues:endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragileecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions ordamage; thinning polar icepack
Geography - note:major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access tothe Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location betweenNorth America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremesof eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operatedby the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10months
Economy Arctic Ocean
Economy - overview:Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of naturalresources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Transportation Arctic Ocean
Ports and harbors:Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Transportation - note:sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the NorthwestPassage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) areimportant seasonal waterways
Transnational Issues Arctic Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Argentina
Introduction Argentina
Background:Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experiencedperiods of internal political conflict between conservatives andliberals and between civilian and military factions. After World WarII, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference insubsequent governments was followed by a military junta that tookpower in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous electionssince then have underscored Argentina's progress in democraticconsolidation.
Geography Argentina
Location:Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenChile and Uruguay
Geographic coordinates:34 00 S, 64 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 2,766,890 sq kmland: 2,736,690 sq kmwater: 30,200 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 9,665 kmborder countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Coastline:4,989 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Terrain:rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateauof Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m (located on Peninsula Valdes)highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m
Natural resources:fertile plains of the Pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore,manganese, petroleum, uranium
Land use: arable land: 9.14% permanent crops: 0.8% other: 90.06% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:15,610 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject toearthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike thePampas and northeast; heavy flooding
Environment - current issues: environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine LivingResources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategiclocation relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and theSouth Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, DrakePassage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, whilethe Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent
People Argentina
Population:38,740,807 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.2% (male 5,185,548; female 4,955,551)15-64 years: 63.4% (male 12,274,625; female 12,282,772)65 years and over: 10.4% (male 1,659,641; female 2,382,670) (2003est.)
Median age: total: 29 years male: 28 years female: 29.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.05% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:17.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 18.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.48 yearsmale: 71.72 yearsfemale: 79.44 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.7% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:130,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:1,800 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Argentine(s)adjective: Argentine
Ethnic groups:white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, orother nonwhite groups 3%
Religions:nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Languages:Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.1%male: 97.1%female: 97.1% (2003 est.)
Government Argentina
Country name:conventional long form: Argentine Republicconventional short form: Argentinalocal short form: Argentinalocal long form: Republica Argentina
Government type:republic
Capital:Buenos Aires
Administrative divisions:23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 autonomouscity* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires CapitalFederal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios,Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, RioNegro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago delEstero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur,Tucumannote: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Independence:9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday:Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Constitution:1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Legal system:mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and mandatory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note- declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos SaulMENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; VicePresident Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003);note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after CarlosSaul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; VicePresident Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelection results: results of the presidential primary of 27 April2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo LopezMURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 wasawarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy onthe eve of the electionelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; the last election held was thepresidential primary election of 27 April 2003 (next election to beheld NA 2007); a runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 between thetwo candidates receiving the highest votes in the primary wasawarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy onthe eve of the election
Legislative branch:bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of theSenate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presentlyone-third of the members being elected every two years to a six-yearterm) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected bydirect vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to afour-year term)election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%;seats by bloc or party - PJ 40, UCR 24, provincial parties 6,Frepaso 1, ARI 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc orparty - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 113, UCR 74, provincialparties 27, Frepaso 17, ARI 17, AR 9elections: Senate - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be heldintermittently by province before December 2003); Chamber ofDeputies - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittentlyby province before December 2003)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges areappointed by the president with approval by the Senate)
Political parties and leaders:Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Alternative for aRepublic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Front for a Country inSolidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario PedroALESSANDRO]; Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronistumbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [AngelROZAS]; Federal Recreate Movement [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; severalprovincial parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); ArgentineIndustrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine RuralSociety (large landowners' association); business organizations;General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrellalabor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; RomanCatholic Church; students
International organization participation:AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19,G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, MTCR, NSG, OAS,OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDONchancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 332-3171telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James D. WALSH; note - Lino GUTIERREZ is designated to replace Ambassador WALSH embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and lightblue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with ahuman face known as the Sun of May
Economy Argentina
Economy - overview:Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literatepopulation, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and adiversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, thecountry has suffered recurring economic problems of inflation,external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remainedskeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain thepeso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economicsituation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentinebonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline inconsumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a"zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restoreeconomic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mountingeconomic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned inJanuary 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchangerate plunged and inflation picked up rapidly, but by mid-2002 theeconomy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. Strong demand forthe peso compelled the Central Bank to intervene in foreign exchangemarkets to curb its appreciation in early 2003. Led by recordexports, the economy began to recover with output up 5.5% in 2003,unemployment falling, and inflation sliced to 4.2% at year-end.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-10.9% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 28% services: 66% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:37% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):41% (2002, yearend)
Labor force:15 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:21.5% (37377)
Budget:revenues: $44 billionexpenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Industries:food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles,chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Industrial production growth rate:1% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:97.17 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 6.7%
Electricity - consumption:92.12 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:5.662 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:7.417 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:828,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:2.927 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:768 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock
Exports:$25.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles
Exports - partners:Brazil 23.6%, US 10.9%, Chile 9.7%, Spain 4.3% (2002)
Imports:$9 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metalmanufactures, plastics
Imports - partners:Brazil 42%, US 12.8%, Germany 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:$155 billion (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$10 billion (2001 est.)
Currency:Argentine peso (ARS)
Currency code:ARS
Exchange rates:Argentine pesos per US dollar - 3.06 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1(1999), 1 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Argentina
Telephones - main lines in use:7.5 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3 million (December 1999)
Telephone system:general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market tocompetition and foreign investment with the "TelecommunicationsLiberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth ofmodern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk linesare being installed between all major cities; the major networks areentirely digital and the availability of telephone service is beingimproved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, andmaking telephone service universally available will take timedomestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domesticsatellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network;more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephoneuse is rapidly expandinginternational: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (AtlanticOcean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two internationalgateways near Buenos Aires (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998)
Radios:24.3 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:7.95 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ar
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):33 (2000)
Internet users:3.88 million (2001)
Transportation Argentina
Railways:total: 34,463 km (168 km electrified)broad gauge: 20,736 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified)standard gauge: 3,115 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified)narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)
Highways:total: 215,471 kmpaved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways)unpaved: 152,123 km (1999)
Waterways:10,950 km
Pipelines:gas 26,797 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refinedproducts 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion delUruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario,Santa Fe, Ushuaia
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 141,851 GRT/208,821 DWTships by type: cargo 9, petroleum tanker 8, railcar carrier 1,refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1,specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registeredhere as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 1, Uruguay 1(2002 est.)
Airports:1,342 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 145over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 261,524 to 2,437 m: 62914 to 1,523 m: 44under 914 m: 9 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1,197over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 50914 to 1,523 m: 572under 914 m: 571 (2002)
Military Argentina
Military branches:Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes navalaviation and Marines), Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force, NationalGendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force
Military manpower - military age:20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 9,780,063 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 331,011 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4.3 billion (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.3% (FY00)
Transnational Issues Argentina
Disputes - international:claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and SouthGeorgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, but in1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channelislands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armedincidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim inAntarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarcticdisputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguayborders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drugtrafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested disputebetween Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in theQuarai/Cuareim leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question
Illicit drugs:used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe andthe US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-BorderArea; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Armenia
Introduction Armenia
Background:Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adoptChristianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, overthe centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empiresincluding the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It wasincorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenianleaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with MuslimAzerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populatedregion, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow.Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; thestruggle escalated after both countries attained independence fromthe Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold,Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also asignificant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of bothsides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progresstoward a peaceful resolution.
Geography Armenia
Location:Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Geographic coordinates:40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 29,800 sq kmwater: 1,400 sq kmland: 28,400 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:total: 1,254 kmborder countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivanexclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain:Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowingrivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Debed River 400 mhighest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
Natural resources:small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina
Land use: arable land: 17.52% permanent crops: 2.3% other: 80.18% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:2,870 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Environment - current issues:soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisisof the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged forfirewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; thedraining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as asource for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart ofMetsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in aseismically active zone
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (LakeSevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
People Armenia
Population:3,326,448note: Armenia's first census since independence was conducted inOctober 2001; official results are not expected until late 2003(July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21.1% (male 356,587; female 346,648)15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,113,241; female 1,158,245)65 years and over: 10.6% (male 147,156; female 204,571) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 32.3 yearsmale: 30.6 yearsfemale: 34.1 years (2002)
Population growth rate:-0.07% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:12.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:10.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 40.86 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 36.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 45.27 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 66.68 yearsmale: 62.41 yearsfemale: 71.17 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 2,400 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Armenian(s)adjective: Armenian
Ethnic groups:Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4%(2002)note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated fromArmenia
Religions:Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi(Zoroastrian/animist) 2%
Languages:Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98.6%male: 99.4%female: 98% (2003 est.)
Government Armenia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Armeniaconventional short form: Armenialocal short form: Hayastanformer: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republiclocal long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
Government type:republic
Capital:Yerevan
Administrative divisions:11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat,Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush,Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
Independence:21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
Constitution:adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May2000)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime ministerand Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assemblyrefuses to accept their programelection results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent ofvote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list)elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of2007)election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%,Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, NationalUnity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party -Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak)11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party changefrequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselvesindependentnote: electoral law was changed in 2002 so ratio in next electionswill be 75 deputies elected by party list, 56 by direct election
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)
Political parties and leaders:Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [MyasnikMALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN,chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [RubenMIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party[Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party,National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and thePeople's Party); National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN];National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National UnityParty [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia[Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and AramSARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN];Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union ofConstitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party[Gurgen ARSENIAN]