Literacy: definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (2003 est.)
Government Oman
Country name:conventional long form: Sultanate of Omanconventional short form: Omanlocal long form: Saltanat Umanformer: Muscat and Omanlocal short form: Uman
Government type:monarchy
Capital:Muscat
Administrative divisions:6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates*(muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, AlWusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note -the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, butthis has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN)
Independence:1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royaldecree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things,clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, barsministers from holding interests in companies doing business withthe government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guaranteesbasic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to themonarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for theMajlis al-Shura
Executive branch:chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said(since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said AlSaid (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief ofstate and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlisal-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisorypowers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;members elected by limited suffrage for three-year term, however,the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results;body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwisehas only advisory powers)elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2006)election results: NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Courtnote: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, hasnon-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani AL-KHUSSAIBYchancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE IIIembassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscatmailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos,Muscattelephone: [968] 698989, extension 203FAX: [968] 699771
Flag description:three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width witha broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem(a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swordsin scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
Economy Oman
Economy - overview:Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 duelargely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving aheadwith privatization of its utilities, the development of a body ofcommercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increasedbudgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets andjoined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. GDPgrowth improved in 2001 despite the global slowdown and then fellback to 2.2% in 2002. In order to reduce unemployment, thegovernment is trying to replace expatriate workers with localworkers. Another government objective is the development of thenation's gas resources.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $22.4 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 3%industry: 55%services: 42% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.5% (2002 est.)
Labor force:920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Budget:revenues: $9.2 billionexpenditures: $6.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Industries:crude oil production and refining, natural gas production,construction, cement, copper
Industrial production growth rate:4% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:9.274 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:8.625 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:963,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:53,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:5.703 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:846.4 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products:dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Exports:$10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:Japan 20.5%, South Korea 18.5%, China 14.1%, Thailand 11.7%, UAE9.2%, Singapore 4.3%, US 4.1% (2002)
Imports:$5.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:UAE 27.5%, Japan 16.7%, UK 7.4%, US 6.9%, Germany 5% (2002)
Debt - external:$5.7 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$76.4 million (1995)
Currency:Omani rial (OMR)
Currency code:OMR
Exchange rates:Omani rials per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000),0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:201,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:59,822 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limitedcoaxial cabledomestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and adomestic satellite system with 8 earth stationsinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios:1.4 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:1.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:.om
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:120,000 (2002)
Transportation Oman
Railways:0 km
Highways:total: 34,965 kmpaved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
Waterways:none
Pipelines:gas 3,599 km; oil 3,187 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine:total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,291 GRT/9,457 DWTships by type: container 1, passenger 2note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Singapore 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:139 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 32 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
Heliports: 1 (2002)
Military Oman
Military branches:Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Royal Omani Police
Military manpower - military age:14 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 788,429 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 438,326 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 29,485 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.424 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:12.2% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Oman
Disputes - international: boundary agreement signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Pacific Ocean
Introduction Pacific Ocean
Background:The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans(followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, andArctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include theLa Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits.
Geography Pacific Ocean
Location:body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and theWestern Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 155.557 million sq kmnote: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, EastChina Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea ofJapan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and othertributary water bodies
Area - comparative:about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the globalsurface; larger than the total land area of the world
Coastline:135,663 km
Climate:planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibitremarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds andwesterly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonalfluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south ofMexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America;continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much lesspronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitudein the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - arainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-ladenwinds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during thewinter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back tothe ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast andeast Asia from May to December
Terrain:surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by aclockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) andin the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; inthe northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea ofOkhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarcticareaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in theeastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while thewestern Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the MarianaTrench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravelaggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards:surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activitysometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject totropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May toDecember (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones(hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America andMexico from June to October (most common in August and September);cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorialPacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and thewestern Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extremenorth from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacificcan be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment - current issues:endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter,seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea andSouth China Sea
Geography - note:the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, LuzonStrait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the PacificOcean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean;dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in thesouthwestern Pacific Ocean
Economy Pacific Ocean
Economy - overview:The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy andparticularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provideslow-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishinggrounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravelfor the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fishcatch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil andgas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energysupplies of US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost ofrecovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings inworld prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped newdrillings.
Transportation Pacific Ocean
Ports and harbors:Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles(US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US),Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia),Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Transportation - note:Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska toPuget Sound (Washington state)
Transnational Issues Pacific Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Pakistan
Introduction Pakistan
Background:The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state ofPakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu Indiawas never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between thesecountries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becomingthe separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state ofKashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing,Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998.
Geography Pakistan
Location:Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the eastand Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates:30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 803,940 sq kmland: 778,720 sq kmwater: 25,220 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 6,774 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912km, Iran 909 km
Coastline:1,046 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 NMterritorial sea: 12 NMcontinental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain:flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources:land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poorquality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use: arable land: 27.81% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 71.4% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:180,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north andwest; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment - current issues:water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, andagricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; amajority of the population does not have access to potable water;deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note:controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routesbetween Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People Pakistan
Population:150,694,740 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 39.3% (male 30,463,958; female 28,726,776)15-64 years: 56.5% (male 43,571,093; female 41,651,872)65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,051,674; female 3,229,367) (2003est.)
Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.7 years female: 20 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.01% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:29.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:8.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 76.53 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 76.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 76.95 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 62.2 yearsmale: 61.3 yearsfemale: 63.14 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.1 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:78,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:4,500 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Pakistani(s)adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups:Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants fromIndia at the time of partition and their descendants)
Religions:Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages:Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English(official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most governmentministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 45.7%male: 59.8%female: 30.6% (2003 est.)
Government Pakistan
Country name:conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistanconventional short form: Pakistanformer: West Pakistan
Government type:federal republic
Capital:Islamabad
Administrative divisions:4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan,Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**,North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindhnote: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu andKashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence:14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday:Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution:10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored on 31 December2002note: selected provisions of the Constitution pertaining to changesPresident MUSHARRAF made while the Constitution was suspended,remain contested by political opponents
Legal system:based on English common law with provisions to accommodatePakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reservedparliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Executive branch:note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief ofArmy Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee,General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's constitution andassumed the additional title of Chief Executive; exercising thepowers of the head of the government, he appointed an eight-memberNational Security Council to function as Pakistan's supremegoverning body; on 12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimouslyvalidated the October 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive andlegislative authority for three years from the coup date; on 20 June2001, MUSHARRAF named himself as president and was sworn in,replacing Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a referendum held on 30 April2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more yearschief of state: President Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI (since23 November 2002)elections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-yearterm; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF'spresidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for afour-year term (next to be held NA 2006)election results: results are for the 10 October 2002 election forprime minister - Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI elected prime ministercabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by provincialassemblies to serve four-year terms; and the National Assembly (342seats - formerly 217; 60 seats represent women; 10 seats representminorities; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA%;seats by party - PML/Q 40, PPPP 11, MMA 21, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, NA 3,PML/F 1, PkMAP 2, ANP 2, PPP/S 2, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1,BNM/H 1, independents 4; National Assembly results - percent ofvotes by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63,PML/N 19, MQM/A 17, NA 16, PML/F 5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1,PAT 1, PML/Z 1, PTI 1, MQM/H 1, PkMAP 1, independents 3elections: Senate - last held 24 and 27 February 2003 (next to beheld by February 2007); National Assembly - last held 10 October2002 (next to be held by October 2006)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); FederalIslamic or Shari'a Court
Political parties and leaders:Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan NationalMovement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch NationalParty or BNP [Sardar Akhtar MENGAL]; Baluch National Party/Awami orBNP/Awami [Moheem Kahn BALOCH]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP [AkbarKhan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; JamiatUlema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN];Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ];Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan,Noorani faction or JUP/NO [Shah Ahmad NOORANI]; Millat Party or MP[Farooq LEGHARI]; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A[Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muhajir Quami Movement, Haqiqi faction or MQM/H[Afaq AHMAD]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan or MMA [leader NA];National Alliance or NA [Farooq Ahmad Khan LEGHARI]; NationalPeople's Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa MilliAwami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party orPQP [Mohammed Afzal KHAN]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ulQADRI]; Pakistan Democratic Party or PDP [Nawabadzada KHAN];Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO];Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction or PML/J [Hamid NasirCHATTHA]; Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N[Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-l-Azam faction orPML/Q [Chaudhry Shujjat HUSSEIN]; Pakistan Muslim League, Zia-ul-HAQor PML/Z [Ejaz ul-Haq]; Pakistan National Party or PNP [HasilBIZENJO]; Pakistan People's Party or PPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; PakistanPeople's Party/Sherpao or PPP/S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; PakistanPeople's Party/Shaheed Bhutto or PPP/SB [Ghinva BHUTTO]; PakistanPeople's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Amin FAHIM]; PakistanTehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama SajidNAQVI]; Tehrik-i-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and leaders:military remains most important political force; ulema (clergy),landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential
International organization participation:AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C (suspended), CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO,G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNSecurity Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir QAZIchancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, and Sunnyvale(California)telephone: [1] (202) 939-6205
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELLembassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabadmailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200telephone: [92] (51) 2080-0000FAX: [92] (51) 2276427consulate(s): Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
Flag description:green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religiousminorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star arecentered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green aretraditional symbols of Islam
Economy Pakistan
Economy - overview:Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, suffers frominternal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and acostly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan'seconomic prospects, although still marred by poor human developmentindicators, continued to improve in 2002 following unprecedentedinflows of foreign assistance beginning in 2001. Foreign exchangereserves have grown to record levels, supported largely by fastgrowth in recorded worker remittances. Trade levels rebounded aftera sharp decline in late 2001. The government has made significantinroads in macroeconomic reform since 2000, but progress isbeginning to slow. Although it is in the second year of its $1.3billion IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Islamabadcontinues to require waivers for politically difficult reforms.Long-term prospects remain uncertain as development spending remainslow, regional tensions remain high, and political tensions weakenPakistan's commitment to lender-recommended economic reforms. GDPgrowth will continue to hinge on crop performance; dependence onforeign oil leaves the import bill vulnerable to fluctuating oilprices; and efforts to open and modernize the economy remain uneven.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $295.3 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (FY01/02 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,000 (FY01/02 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 25% services: 51% (FY01/02 est.)
Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (1996-97)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:41 (FY98/99)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:40.4 millionnote: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and useof child labor (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 44%, industry 17%, services 39% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.8% plus substantial underemployment (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $12.6 billionexpenditures: $14.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY02/03 est.)
Industries:textiles, and apparel, food processing, beverages, constructionmaterials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate:2.4% (FY01/02 est.)
Electricity - production:66.96 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 3%
Electricity - consumption:62.27 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:62,870 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:365,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:297.1 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:695.6 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Exports:$9.8 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.)
Exports - commodities:textiles (garments, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice, leather, sportsgoods, and carpets and rugs
Exports - partners:US 24.5%, UAE 8.5%, UK 7.2%, Germany 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.8% (2002)
Imports:$11.1 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, transportationequipment, edible oils, pulses, iron an steel, tea
Imports - partners:UAE 11.7%, Saudi Arabia 11.7%, Kuwait 6.7%, US 6.4%, China 6.2%,Japan 6%, Malaysia 4.5%, Germany 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:$32.3 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.4 billion (FY01/02)
Currency:Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Currency code:PKR
Exchange rates:Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 59.72 (2002), 61.93 (2001), 53.65(2000), 49.12 (1999), 44.94 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Pakistan
Telephones - main lines in use:2.861 million (March 1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:158,000 (1998)
Telephone system:general assessment: the domestic system is mediocre, but improving;service is adequate for government and business use, in part becausemajor businesses have established their own private systems; since1988, the government has promoted investment in the nationaltelecommunications system on a priority basis, significantlyincreasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk andurban systems, telecommunication services are still not readilyavailable to the majority of the rural populationdomestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,cellular, and satellite networksinternational: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 AtlanticOcean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gatewayexchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relayto neighboring countries (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)
Radios:13.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:3.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:.pk
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):30 (2000)
Internet users:1.2 million (2000)
Transportation Pakistan
Railways:total: 8,163 kmbroad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Highways:total: 254,410 kmpaved: 109,396 km (including 339 km of expressways)unpaved: 145,014 km (1999)
Waterways:none
Pipelines:gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 247,675 GRT/375,435 DWTships by type: cargo 14, container 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:124 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 87 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 19 (2002)
Heliports: 13 (2002)
Military Pakistan
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard
Military manpower - military age:17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 38,133,733 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 23,328,575 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 1,767,502 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.964 billion (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.6% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Pakistan
Disputes - international:thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Pakistan; isolatingterrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-borderactivities difficult to control; armed stand-off with India over thestatus and sovereignty of Kashmir continues - India objects toPakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that Indiabelieves are part of disputed Kashmir; disputes with India overIndus River water sharing and the terminus of the Rann of Kutch,which prevents maritime boundary delimitation
Illicit drugs:opium poppy cultivation practically eliminated; key transit pointfor Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western markets; Afghannarcotics continue to transit Federally Administered Tribal Areas,Balochistan Province, and Karachi; financial crimes related to drugtrafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Palau
Introduction Palau
Background:After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of thePacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of theCaroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join theFederated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association withthe US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It enteredinto force the following year, when the islands gained independence.
Geography Palau
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast ofthe Philippines
Geographic coordinates:7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 458 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 458 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,519 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM extended fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate:wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain:varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island ofBabelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrierreefs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabedminerals
Land use:arable land: 21.74%permanent crops: 0%other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to themarine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishingpractices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of sixisland groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War IIbattleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
People Palau
Population:19,717 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,714; female 2,552)15-64 years: 68.7% (male 7,352; female 6,197)65 years and over: 4.6% (male 429; female 473) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 30.8 yearsmale: 31.8 yearsfemale: 29.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.54% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 13.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.5 yearsmale: 66.37 yearsfemale: 72.82 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.47 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: Palauan(s)adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%,Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, andVietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
Religions:Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah'sWitnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, andLatter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the populationobserves this religion, which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages:English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral(Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English areofficial), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92%male: 93%female: 90% (1980 est.)
Government Palau
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Palauconventional short form: Palaulocal short form: Belauformer: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)local long form: Beluu er a Belau
Government type:constitutional government in free association with the US; theCompact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast ofKoror
Administrative divisions:16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror,Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral
Independence:1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:1 January 1981
Legal system:based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,common, and customary laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinetelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president;percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote -Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of theSenate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a populationbasis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NANovember 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (nextto be held NA November 2004)election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats -independents 16
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accreditedto Palauembassy: address NA, Korormailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description:light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shiftedslightly to the hoist side
Economy Palau
Economy - overview:The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agricultureand fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force,relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business andtourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys aper capita income twice that of the Philippines and much ofMicronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have beengreatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, therising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and thewillingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $174 millionnote: $174 million $174 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy(2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 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):3.4% (2000 est.)
Labor force:9,845 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:2.3% (2000 est.)
Budget:revenues: $57.7 millionexpenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1million (FY 98/99 est.)
Industries:tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,garment making
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production by source:0%
Agriculture - products:coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Exports:$18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities:shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners:US, Japan, Singapore (2000)
Imports:$99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Korea (2000)
Debt - external:$0 (FY 99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:$155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with theUS, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 yearsin return for furnishing military facilities
Currency:US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Palau
Telephones - main lines in use:6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:12,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:11,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.pw
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Transportation Palau
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Koror
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:3 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Military Palau
Military branches:NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA%
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of FreeAssociation between Palau and the US, the US military is grantedaccess to the islands for 50 years
Transnational Issues Palau
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Palmyra Atoll
Introduction Palmyra Atoll
Background:The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the USincluded it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed thearchipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did notinclude Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the NatureConservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a naturepreserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nauticalmile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish andWildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge inJanuary 2001.
Geography Palmyra Atoll
Location:Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way betweenHawaii and American Samoa
Geographic coordinates:5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 11.9 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 11.9 sq km
Area - comparative:about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:14.5 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain:very low
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (forests and woodlands) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, andbalsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
People Palmyra Atoll
Population:no indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy staff, USFish and Wildlife staff (July 2003 est.)
Government Palmyra Atoll
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Dependency status:incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administeredfrom Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the USDepartment of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the USDepartment of the Interior continues to administer nine excludedareas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 NMterritorial sea or within the lagoon