Imports:$2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,electrical machinery
Imports - partners:Brazil 32.7%, Argentina 22.7%, US 18.1%, Hong Kong 4.7% (2002)
Debt - external:$3.2 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:guarani (PYG)
Currency code:PYG
Exchange rates:guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35(2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:290,475 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:510,000 (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switchingcenter is Asunciondomestic: fair microwave radio relay networkinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)
Radios:925,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:4 (2001)
Televisions:990,000 (2001)
Internet country code:.py
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):4 (2000)
Internet users:20,000 (2000)
Transportation Paraguay
Railways: total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)
Waterways:3,100 km
Ports and harbors:Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,475 GRT/36,101 DWTships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, rollon/roll off 3note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Argentina 2, Japan 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:879 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11over 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 8681,524 to 2,437 m: 27914 to 1,523 m: 323under 914 m: 518 (2002)
Military Paraguay
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force
Military manpower - military age:17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,465,781 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 61,706 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$125 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Paraguay
Disputes - international:unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay bordersis locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking,and harbors Islamist militants
Illicit drugs:major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which isconsumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaineheaded for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US;corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in theTri-Border Area
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Peru
Introduction Peru
Background:Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andeancivilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire wascaptured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvianindependence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forcesdefeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Perureturned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economicproblems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President AlbertoFUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramaticturnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailingguerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasingreliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORIwon reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, butinternational pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster byCongress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversawnew elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in AlejandroTOLEDO as the new head of government.
Geography Peru
Location:Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, betweenChile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates:10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 1,285,220 sq kmwater: 5,220 sq kmland: 1.28 million sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:total: 5,536 kmborder countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline:2,414 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 NMterritorial sea: 200 NM
Climate:varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate tofrigid in Andes
Terrain:western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources:copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.38% other: 96.77% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:11,950 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is theultimate source of the Amazon River
People Peru
Population:28,409,897 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008)15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072)65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 23.5 yearsmale: 23.2 yearsfemale: 23.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.61% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:22.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.03 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: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 36.97 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 31.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 42.04 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.88 yearsmale: 68.45 yearsfemale: 73.43 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:53,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:3,900 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Peruvian(s)adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups:Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%
Languages:Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90.9%male: 95.2%female: 86.8% (2003 est.)
Government Peru
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Peruconventional short form: Perulocal long form: Republica del Perulocal short form: Peru
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:Lima
Administrative divisions:24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas,Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco,Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima,Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin,Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayalinote: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peruis implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmentalauthority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chosetheir new regional presidents and other regional leaders; theauthority that the regional government will exercise has not yetbeen clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions overthe course of several years
Independence:28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:31 December 1993
Legal system:based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by theconstitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for bythe constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July2001)note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003)does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of thepresident; note - Beatriz MERINO was asked to resign on 12 December2003 and was replaced by Carlos FERRERO Costa three days laterelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique electedpresident in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDOManrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch:unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de laRepublica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%,APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats byparty - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others17elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges areappointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)
Political parties and leaders:Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP [Alan GARCIA]; Independent MoralizingFront or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Unity (UnidadNacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Posible or PP [LuisSOLARI]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ Orihuela]; SolucionPopular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Unionfor Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]
Political pressure groups and leaders:leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMANReynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; TupacAmaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
International organization participation:ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, 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 (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA,MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles,Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington(DC)FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John R. DAWSONembassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),APO AA 34031-5000telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037
Flag description:three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and redwith the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of armsfeatures a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source ofquinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, allframed by a green wreath
Economy Peru
Economy - overview:Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between thegovernment and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino's impacton agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability inBrazilian markets undercut growth. The following year was again leanyear for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financialcrisis working its way through the economy. Political instabilityresulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI's subsequentdeparture from office limited growth in 2000. The downturn in theglobal economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO,who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working toreinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gassectors.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $138.8 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 27% services: 63% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.4% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:46.2 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:7.5 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services
Unemployment rate:9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $10.4 billionexpenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2002 est.)
Industries:mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, foodprocessing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metalfabrication
Industrial production growth rate:6.5% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:20.59 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% other: 0.8% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:19.15 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:614.7 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:370 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:370 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:245.1 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Exports: $7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton
Exports - partners:US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002)
Imports:$7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron andsteel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:US 26.1%, Chile 7.9%, Spain 5.1%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 4.7%,Venezuela 4.7%, Argentina 4.3% (2002)
Debt - external:$29.2 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$895.1 million (1995)
Currency:nuevo sol (PEN)
Currency code:PEN
Exchange rates:nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000),3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Peru
Telephones - main lines in use:1.8 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:504,995 (1998)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate for most requirementsdomestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domesticsatellite system with 12 earth stationsinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (AtlanticOcean); Pan American submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)
Radios:6.65 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:3.06 million (1997)
Internet country code:.pe
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):10 (2000)
Internet users:3 million (2002)
Transportation Peru
Railways:total: 1,829 kmstandard gauge: 1,515 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 314 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)
Highways:total: 72,900 kmpaved: 9,331 kmunpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:8,808 kmnote: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 kmof Lago Titicaca
Pipelines:gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguasnote: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reachesof the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWTnote: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag ofconvenience: US 1 (2002 est.)ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1
Airports:233 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 49 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 184 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 100 (2002)
Military Peru
Military branches:Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includesNaval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea delPeru; FAP), National Police (includes General Police, SecurityPolice, and Technical Police)
Military manpower - military age:17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 7,510,882 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 281,717 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.8% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Peru
Disputes - international:Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacamacorridor ceded to Chile in 1884
Illicit drugs:until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opiumproducer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to 36,600hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the cocaine baseis shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine,while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to theinternational drug market; increasing amounts of base and finishedcocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use inthe Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Philippines
Introduction Philippines
Background:The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following theSpanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 afterJapanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of FerdinandMARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced himinto exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on theislands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidentialtransitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, theSupreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of massresignations from his government and administered the oath of officeto Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutionalsuccessor. The government continues to struggle with Musliminsurgencies in the south.
Geography Philippines
Location:Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and theSouth China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 300,000 sq kmwater: 1,830 sq kmland: 298,170 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:36,289 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: to depth of exploitationterritorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM fromcoastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has alsoclaimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM inbreadthexclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwestmonsoon (May to October)
Terrain:mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources:timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use:arable land: 18.45%permanent crops: 14.76%other: 66.79% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:15,500 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five tosix cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; airand water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastalmangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's mainwater bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, CelebesSea, and Luzon Strait
People Philippines
Population:84,619,974 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 36.2% (male 15,625,480; female 15,028,498)15-64 years: 59.9% (male 25,206,467; female 25,485,482)65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,427,238; female 1,846,809) (2003est.)
Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.4 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.92% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:26.3 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.5 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 24.98 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 21.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.29 yearsmale: 66.44 yearsfemale: 72.28 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.29 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:9,400 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:720 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Filipino(s)adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions:Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages:two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon orIlonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 95.9%male: 96%female: 95.8% (2003 est.)
Government Philippines
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Philippinesconventional short form: Philippineslocal short form: Pilipinaslocal long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
Government type:republic
Capital:Manila
Administrative divisions:73 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte,Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*,Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes,Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan,Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*,Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*,Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*,Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*, Davao del Norte,Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar,General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, IlocosSur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, LaCarlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*,Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao,Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain,Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, NorthernSamar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*,Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*,Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon,Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (inPangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon,South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*,Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*,Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*,Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur
Independence:12 June 1898 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date ofindependence from the US
Constitution:2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of theCommission of Appointmentselections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998(next to be held 16 May 2004)election results: results of the last presidential election - JosephEjercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote- 55%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President GloriaMACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor toPresident Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared thatESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from hisgovernment; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death,permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of thepresident, can the vice president serve for the unexpired term
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected bypopular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additionalmembers may be appointed by the president but the Constitutionprohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250members)elections: Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001(next to be held 16 May 2004)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives -percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51,LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on therecommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70years of age)
Political parties and leaders:Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) orLDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president, Agapito AQUINO, secretary general];Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [JoseDE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD,president; Franklin DRILON, chairman]; National People's Coalitionor NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN,president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL,chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president]; PMP [Horacio MORALES,president]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma[Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS(observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNU,UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO consulate(s): San Diego consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam) FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONEembassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manilamailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000telephone: [63] (2) 523-1001FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a whiteequilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of thetriangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containingthree individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a smallyellow five-pointed star
Economy Philippines
Economy - overview:In 1998, the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, lightindustry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result ofspillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weatherconditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, butrecovered to about 3.3% in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, and 4.5% in 2001. In2002, the Philippines recorded GDP growth of 4.4% but also incurreda record budget deficit. As a result, the Philippines is burdenedwith a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP. Growtheased to 3.8% in 2003. The government has promised economic reformsincluding going forward with privatization, reforming the taxsystem, and promoting additional trade integration within itsregion. Considerable drive is required to update the educationalsystem and the road network.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $379.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 31% services: 54% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 39.3% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:46.2 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.1% (2002 est.)
Labor force:33.7 million (2002)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:10.2% (2002)
Budget:revenues: $10.9 billionexpenditures: $15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2002 est.)
Industries:textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, foodprocessing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:4% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:45.21 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% other: 26.9% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:42.04 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:164 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:10 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:10 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:104.6 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Exports:$35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,coconut products, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 26.2%, Japan 14.9%, China 7.4%, Taiwan 5.8%, Singapore 5.7%,Hong Kong 5.3%, Malaysia 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.6%, SouthKorea 4.3% (2002)
Imports:$33.5 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:Japan 21.6%, US 18.6%, Singapore 7.8%, South Korea 7.5%, China5.2%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2002)
Debt - external:$60.3 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $1.1 billion (1998)
Currency:Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency code:PHP
Exchange rates:Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.67 (2002), 50.99 (2001), 44.19(2000), 39.09 (1999), 40.89 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:6.98 million (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:11.35 million (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarinecable services; domestic and inter-island service adequatedomestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stationsinternational: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations -3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables toHong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2002)
Radios:11.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:75 (2000)
Televisions:3.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ph
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):33 (2000)
Internet users:4.5 million (2002)
Transportation Philippines
Railways:total: 897 kmnarrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation)(2002)
Highways:total: 201,994 kmpaved: 42,419 kmunpaved: 159,575 km (2000)
Waterways: 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m
Pipelines:gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan,Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando,Subic Bay, Zamboanga
Merchant marine:total: 393 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,718 GRT/6,699,666 DWTnote: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 3, Greece 8, Hong Kong13, Japan 47, Malaysia 19, Netherlands 14, Norway 8, Panama 3,Singapore 12, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, UK 7 (2002 est.)ships by type: bulk 111, cargo 105, chemical tanker 4, combinationbulk 8, container 8, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 9, passenger5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 21,roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 27, specialized tanker 2,vehicle carrier 18
Airports:257 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 13 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 175 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 99 (2002)
Heliports: 2 (2002)
Military Philippines
Military branches:Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force,paramilitary units
Military manpower - military age:20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 21,923,324 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 15,428,043 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 846,994 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$995 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China,Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SouthChina Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of alegally binding "code of conduct"; Sultanate of Sulu grantedPhilippines Government power of attorney to pursue its sovereigntyclaim over Malaysia's Sabah State but Malaysia rejects claim
Illicit drugs:exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, theUS, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroinand crystal methamphetamine
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@Pitcairn Islands
Introduction Pitcairn Islands
Background:Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settledin 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the SouthPacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned thepopulation from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.
Geography Pitcairn Islands
Location:Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway betweenPeru and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 47 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 47 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:51 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 3 NM
Climate:tropical, hot, humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainyseason (November to March)
Terrain:rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources:miro trees (used for handicrafts), fishnote: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have beendiscovered offshore
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%other: NA% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment - current issues:deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remainsbecause of burning and clearing for settlement)
Geography - note:Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island ofPitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; suppliesmust be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationedoffshore
People Pitcairn Islands
Population: 47 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:NA%
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:NA (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: NA%male: NA%female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NA yearsmale: NA yearsfemale: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:NA 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: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups:descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Religions:Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century Englishdialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Literacy:NA
Government Pitcairn Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islandsconventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:Adamstown
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; furtherrefined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system:local island by-laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL (since NADecember 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA);serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Councilelection results: Steve CHRISTIAN elected mayor; percent of vote -NA%elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner andcommissioner appointed by the monarch; island magistrate elected bypopular vote for a three-year term; election last held NA December1999 (next to be held NA December 2002)head of government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council SteveCHRISTIAN (since 7 December 1999)cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected by popular vote, 1appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms)elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December2003)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:Island Court (island magistrate presides over the court and iselected every three years)
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of theflag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with ashield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy Pitcairn Islands
Economy - overview:The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing,subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertilesoil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits andvegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The majorsources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors andthe sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $NA
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):NA%
Labor force:12 able-bodied men (1997)
Labor force - by occupation:no business community in the usual sense; some public works;subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate:NA%
Budget:revenues: $729,884expenditures: $878,119, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)
Industries:postage stamps, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-poweredgenerator
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Agriculture - products:wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps
Exports - partners:NA (2000)
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, otherfoodstuffs
Imports - partners:NA (2000)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:NZD
Exchange rates:New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001),2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Pitcairn Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line) (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: only party line telephone service is availablefor this small, closely related communitydomestic: party line service onlyinternational: radiotelephone
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:NA