Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy Palmyra Atoll
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Palmyra Atoll
Highways:most of the roads and many causeways built during World War II areunserviceable and overgrown (2001)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:West Lagoon
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Palmyra Atoll
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Palmyra Atoll
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Panama
Introduction Panama
Background:With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptlysigned a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canaland US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of thestructure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by theUS Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canalfrom the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of theZone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned overin the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA wasdeposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting theCanal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama byor on 31 December 1999.
Geography Panama
Location:Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the NorthPacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates:9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 78,200 sq kmwater: 2,210 sq kmland: 75,990 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (Mayto January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain:interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, uplandplains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources:copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 6.72% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 91.2% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:320 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridgeconnecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that linksNorth Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People Panama
Population:2,960,784 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.6% (male 461,670; female 443,671)15-64 years: 63.3% (male 950,089; female 924,038)65 years and over: 6.1% (male 86,006; female 95,310) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 25.6 yearsmale: 25.4 yearsfemale: 25.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.36% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:20.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.97 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: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 21.44 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.32 yearsmale: 69.97 yearsfemale: 74.79 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.5% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:25,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:1,900 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Panamanian(s)adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed(West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:Spanish (official), English 14%note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 93.2%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Panama
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Panamaconventional short form: Panamalocal short form: Panamalocal long form: Republica de Panama
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:Panama
Administrative divisions:9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas
Independence:3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28November 1821)
National holiday:Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994
Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts inthe Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser"Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO(since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser"Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999(next to be held NA May 2004)note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change,MORENA, PLN, PSelection results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president;percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, MartinTORRIJOS (PRD) 37%
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats;members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2,PRC 1, MORENA 1note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on aplurality basis while districts located in more populous towns andcities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-basedformulaelections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judgesappointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts ofappeal
Political parties and leaders:Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; CivicRenewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change[Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [MartinTORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo];National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox];Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES];Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)[Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council ofOrganized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction andSimilar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterpriseor CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation ofthe Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO EstripeautFAX: [1] (202) 483-8416consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampatelephone: [1] (202) 483-1407chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATTembassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,Zona 5, Panama City 5mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002telephone: [507] 207-7000FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag description:divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plainred; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white witha red five-pointed star in the center
Economy Panama
Economy - overview:Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed servicessector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services includeoperating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance,container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in ColonFree Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and thewithdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in2000-02. The government has been backing public works programs, taxreforms, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourismin order to stimulate growth.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $18.06 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:0.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 37% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:48.5 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.1% (2001 est.)
Labor force:1.1 millionnote: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilledlabor (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate:16% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.9 billionexpenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $471million (2000 est.)
Industries:construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and otherconstruction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:0.5% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:4.039 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% other: 1.7% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:3.681 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:118 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:43 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:52,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Exports:$5.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)
Exports - partners:US 47.8%, Sweden 5.8%, Costa Rica 4.8%, Honduras 4.4% (2002)
Imports:$6.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals(1999)
Imports - partners:US 34.3%, Colombia 5.9%, Japan 5.4%, Costa Rica 4.2%, Venezuela4.2% (2002)
Debt - external:$7 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$197.1 million (1995)
Currency:balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Currency code:PAB; USD
Exchange rates:balboas per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1(1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:396,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:17,000 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: domestic and international facilities welldevelopeddomestic: NAinternational: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations -2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central AmericanMicrowave System
Radio broadcast stations:AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:815,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:38 (including repeaters) (1998)
Televisions:510,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.pa
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:45,000 (2000)
Transportation Panama
Railways:total: 355 kmbroad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gaugenarrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)
Highways:total: 11,400 kmpaved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways)unpaved: 7,456 km (1999)
Waterways: 882 km note: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal
Pipelines:crude oil 130 km (2001)
Ports and harbors:Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area),Vacamonte
Merchant marine:total: 4,860 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,543,755 GRT/184,910,607DWTships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 1,443, cargo 846, chemicaltanker 376, combination bulk 72, combination ore/oil 17, container588, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 6, multi-functionallarge-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleumtanker 537, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 287, roll on/rolloff 107, short-sea passenger 41, specialized tanker 33, vehiclecarrier 240note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 1, Argentina11, Australia 13, Austria 2, The Bahamas 5, Belgium 2, Belize 6,Brazil 6, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 1, Canada 9, Chile 12,China 259, Colombia 14, Croatia 2, Cuba 20, Cyprus 3, Denmark 3,Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 3, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1,France 9, Germany 72, Greece 523, Haiti 1, Honduras 3, Hong Kong299, Iceland 1, India 18, Indonesia 48, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy9, Japan 1,642, Kenya 1, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1,Malaysia 18, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 8, Monaco 112,Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 98,Paraguay 1, Peru 15, Philippines 49, Poland 5, Portugal 7, PuertoRico 2, Romania 7, Russia 12, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincentand the Grenadines 5, Saudi Arabia 4, Seychelles 1, Singapore 112,South Africa 3, South Korea 342, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1,Sweden 2, Switzerland 81, Taiwan 334, Thailand 14, Trinidad andTobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 4, Ukraine 1, UAE 54, UK 73, US 115,Venezuela 6 (2002 est.)
Airports:103 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 41 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 50 (2002)
Military Panama
Military branches:an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, butthere are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includesthe Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, andNational Air Service)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 797,456 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$128 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.3% (FY99)
Military - note:on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARAabolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus bycreating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama'sLegislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibitingthe creation of a standing military force, but allowing thetemporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of"external aggression"
Transnational Issues Panama
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:major cocaine transshipment point and primary money launderingcenter for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity isespecially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center;negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financialtransactions is improving; official corruption remains a majorproblem
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Papua New Guinea
Introduction Papua New Guinea
Background:The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest inthe world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, whichoccupied the northern portion during World War I and continued toadminister the combined areas until independence in 1975. Anine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in1997, after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography Papua New Guinea
Location:Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the islandof New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean,east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 462,840 sq kmland: 452,860 sq kmwater: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:5,152 km
Maritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesterritorial sea: 12 NMcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate:tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon(May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0.13% permanent crops: 1.35% other: 98.52% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; thecountry is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mudslides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growingcommercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from miningprojects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largestswamps along southwest coast
People Papua New Guinea
Population:5,295,816 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,034,219; female 1,000,505)15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,582,983; female 1,479,436)65 years and over: 3.8% (male 93,604; female 105,069) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 20.8 yearsmale: 21 yearsfemale: 20.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.34% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:31.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 50.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 59.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.19 yearsmale: 62.07 yearsfemale: 66.42 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.13 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.7% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:17,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:880 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Papua New Guinean(s)adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups:Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions:Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/LondonMissionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%,Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs34%
Languages:English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken inPapua regionnote: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 66%male: 72.3%female: 59.3% (2003 est.)
Government Papua New Guinea
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guineaconventional short form: Papua New Guineaabbreviation: PNGformer: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Government type:constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Capital:Port Moresby
Administrative divisions:20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands,East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay,Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, SouthernHighlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution:16 September 1975
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 Sir Albert KIPALAN (since 13November 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Andrew BAING (since 15 November2003)cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governorgeneral on the recommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the National Executive Council; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by thegovernor general
Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the Houseof Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 fromprovincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was notcompleted during the June 2002 election period); next to be held notlater than June 2007election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%,independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note -association with political parties is very fluid (2002)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governorgeneral on the proposal of the National Executive Council afterconsultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judgesare appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Bernard NAROKOBI]; NationalAlliance or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George MANOA, partypresident]; National Front Party [leader NA]; National Party or NP[leader NA]; Papua New Guinea Revival Party [John PUNDARI]; PapuaNew Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Pate WAMP, party leader;Chris HAIVETA, parliamentary leader]; People's Action Party or PAP[Ted DIRO]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir MekereMORAUTA]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Peter YAMA]; People'sNational Congress or PNC [Bill SKATE]; People's Progress Party orPPP [Michael NALI]; People's Unity Party or PUP [leader NA]; UnitedParty or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]note: 43 political parties registered to participate in the June2002 elections
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member),C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKIchancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC20036FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. Fitts embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description:divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangleis red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lowertriangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of theSouthern Cross constellation centered
Economy Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, butexploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high costof developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistencelivelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, includingoil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. Theeconomy has faltered over the past three years but will probablyimprove slightly in 2003. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA hadtried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilize thekina, restore stability to the national budget, privatize publicenterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace onBougainville. The government has had considerable success inattracting international support, specifically gaining the backingof the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistanceloans. Significant challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE,including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts toprivatize government assets, and maintaining the support of membersof Parliament.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $10.86 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-3.1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.1% industry: 35.8% services: 32.1% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 37% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:50.9 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):9.8% (2002 est.)
Labor force:2.3 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Budget:revenues: $894 millionexpenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $344million (2000 est.)
Industries:copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chipproduction; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oilproduction; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:1.496 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:1.391 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:345.2 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:110 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:110 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:385.5 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork
Exports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Exports - partners:Australia 23.7%, Japan 9.3%, China 5.3% (2002)
Imports:$1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,chemicals
Imports - partners:Australia 49.3%, Singapore 18.8%, New Zealand 4.4%, Japan 4.2%(2002)
Debt - external:$2.8 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$400 million (1999 est.)
Currency:kina (PGK)
Currency code:PGK
Exchange rates:kina per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.39 (2001), 2.78 (2000), 2.57(1999), 2.07 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:61,152 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3,053 (1996)
Telephone system:general assessment: services are adequate and being improved;facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,aeronautical radio, and international radio communication servicesdomestic: mostly radiotelephoneinternational: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satelliteearth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radiocommunication service
Radio broadcast stations:AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)
Radios:410,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2002)
Televisions:59,841 (1999)
Internet country code:.pg
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:135,000 (2001)
Transportation Papua New Guinea
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:10,940 km
Pipelines:oil 264 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 45,203 GRT/63,238 DWTnote: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Singapore 2, UK 7 (2002 est.)ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combinationore/oil 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3
Airports:491 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 470 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 403 (2002)
Heliports: 2 (2002)
Military Papua New Guinea
Military branches:Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground Force, MaritimeOperations Element, and Air Operations Element)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,370,419 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$40.21 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international: Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Paracel Islands
Introduction Paracel Islands
Background:The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing groundsand by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochinaannexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China hasoccupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized aSouth Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islandsare claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography Paracel Islands
Location:Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the SouthChina Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to thenorthern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: NA sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: NA sq km
Area - comparative:NA
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:518 km
Maritime claims:NA
Climate:tropical
Terrain:mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:typhoons
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into thenortheast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
People Paracel Islands
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2003 est.)
Government Paracel Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy Paracel Islands
Economy - overview:China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Transportation Paracel Islands
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Islandbeing expanded
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Paracel Islands
Military - note: occupied by China
Transnational Issues Paracel Islands
Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Paraguay
Introduction Paraguay
Background:In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguaylost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. Itstagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco Warof 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won fromBolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER wasoverthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in politicalinfighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidentialelections have been held since then.
Geography Paraguay
Location:Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 406,750 sq kmwater: 9,450 sq kmland: 397,300 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the easternportions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain:grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chacoregion west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river,and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Elevation extremes:lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 mhighest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m
Natural resources:hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use: arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 94.25% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:670 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorlydrained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposalpresent health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note:landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; populationconcentrated in southern part of country
People Paraguay
Population:6,036,900 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420)15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918)65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 20.9 yearsmale: 20.7 yearsfemale: 21.2 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.54% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:30.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.08 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 22.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.4 yearsmale: 71.89 yearsfemale: 77.03 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.02 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.11% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:220 (2001 est.)
Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant
Languages:Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 94%male: 94.9%female: 93% (2003 est.)
Government Paraguay
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Paraguayconventional short form: Paraguaylocal short form: Paraguaylocal long form: Republica del Paraguay
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:Asuncion
Administrative divisions:17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence:14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 14 May (1811)
Constitution:promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system:based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicialreview of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April2003 (next to be held NA April 2008)election results: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS elected president; percentof vote - Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCOGomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, GuillermoSANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senatorsor Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camarade Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to beheld NA May 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003(next to be held NA May 2008)election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7,PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%;seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, MPQ 10, PPS 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judgesappointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejode la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [NicanorDUARTE FRUTOS]; Movimiento Patria Querida or MPQ [Pedro NicolasMaraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Colorados Eticosor UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Partido Encuentro Nacional orPEN [Diego ABENTE Brun]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA[Julio Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos AlbertoFILIZZOLA Pallares]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT;Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church;Unitary Workers Central or CUT
International organization participation:ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MONUC, NAM (observer),OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU,WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Leila Teresa RACHID COWLESconsulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans,New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 234-4508telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728
Flag description:three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with anemblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblemis different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left)bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within agreen wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all withintwo circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the sealof the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and thewords Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the wordsREPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy Paraguay
Economy - overview:Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector.The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumergoods to neighboring countries as well as the activities ofthousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because ofthe importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measuresare difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the populationderives their living from agricultural activity, often on asubsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a percapita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Mostobservers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance topolitical uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structuralreform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficientinfrastructure.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $25.19 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-2.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 27% services: 46% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 36% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:57.7 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):10.5% (2002 est.)
Labor force:2 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate:18.2% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.3 billionexpenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700million (1999 est.)
Industries:sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products
Industrial production growth rate:0% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:44.89 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% other: 0.1% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:2.637 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:39.11 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Exports:$2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity
Exports - partners:Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002)