Political pressure groups and leaders:Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
International organization participation:BSEC, CE, CIS, COE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSSIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAYembassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-177, 542-132, 524-661,527-001, 524-840FAX: [374](1) 520-800
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Economy Armenia
Economy - overview:Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developeda modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, andother manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for rawmaterials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from thelarge agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agriculturalsector has long-term needs for more investment and updatedtechnology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace,but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration.Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold,bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over theethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakupof the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Unioncontributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitiousIMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growthrates in 1995-2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation,stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small-and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armeniasuffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energysupplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia isnow a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficientgenerating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is underinternational pressure to close. The electricity distribution systemwas privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has beenoffset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of theeconomy, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russiaremain close, especially in the energy sector.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $12.13 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:12.9% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 50% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 46.2% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:44.4 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.1% (2002 est.)
Labor force:1.4 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 45%, services 30%, industry 25% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:20% (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $402 millionexpenditures: $482 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2001 est.)
Industries:metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electricmotors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals,trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelrymanufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy
Industrial production growth rate:15% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:6.479 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 30.7%
Electricity - consumption: 5.784 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports: 704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2001)
Electricity - imports:463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products:fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
Exports:$525 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities:diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy
Exports - partners:Belgium 21.5%, Russia 14.6%, Israel 10.3%, Iran 9.4%, US 8.2%,Switzerland 6.8%, Germany 6.2% (2002)
Imports:$991 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities:natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds
Imports - partners:US 15.3%, Russia 12.9%, Belgium 12.3%, Iran 10.3%, UAE 6.3%,Germany 5.5%, Italy 4.9% (2002)
Debt - external:$905 million (June 2001)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA $170 million (2000)
Currency:dram (AMD)
Currency code:AMD
Exchange rates:drams per US dollar - NA (2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000),535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Armenia
Telephones - main lines in use:600,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:50,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned andundergoing modernization and expansiondomestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipmentare in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service)international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europefiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service isavailable by microwave radio relay and landline connections to theother countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States andthrough the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the restof the world; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (2000)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:850,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998)
Televisions:825,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.am
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):9 (2001)
Internet users:30,000 (2001)
Transportation Armenia
Railways:total: 852 km in common carrier service; does not includeindustrial linesbroad gauge: 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2002)
Highways:total: 15,918 kmpaved: 15,329 km (includes 7,527 km of expressways)unpaved: 589 km (2000)
Waterways:NA km
Pipelines:gas 2,031 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:15 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 8over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 7over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Military Armenia
Military branches:Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 919,582 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 37,209 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$135 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:6.5% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Armenia
Disputes - international:Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakhand militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization forSecurity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediatedispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakhdispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands inTurkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region ofGeorgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia
Illicit drugs:illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domesticconsumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostlyopium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to alesser extent the rest of Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Aruba
Introduction Aruba
Background:Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by theDutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three mainindustries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperitybrought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The lastdecades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry.Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became aseparate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in1990.
Geography Aruba
Location:Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 193 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 193 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:68.5 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources:NEGL; white sandy beaches
Land use:arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)permanent crops: 0%other: 89.47% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; itstropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from theAtlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
People Aruba
Population:70,844 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121)15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955)65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 37.1 yearsmale: 35.3 yearsfemale: 38.5 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.55% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:6.38 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: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.83 yearsmale: 75.48 yearsfemale: 82.34 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.79 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: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Ethnic groups:mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Religions:Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Languages:Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Englishdialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Literacy: definition: total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Aruba
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba
Dependency status:part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internalaffairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the NetherlandsAntilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreignaffairs
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Oranjestad
Administrative divisions:none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution:1 January 1986
Legal system:based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common lawinfluence
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1January 1992)election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percentof legislative vote - NA%elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed fora six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy primeminister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election lastheld 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOLcabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected bydirect, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%,PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
Judicial branch:Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban DemocraticAlliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [LeoBERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; ArubanPatriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP[Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba orCLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O.ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ];National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO(associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General toNetherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Flag description:blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lowerportion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upperhoist-side corner
Economy Aruba
Economy - overview:Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, withoffshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. Therapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resultedin a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction hasboomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition,the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major sourceof employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurredgrowth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have ledto a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises inwage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in theaftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Thegovernment now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative tradebalance.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-1.5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 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):3.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:41,501 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Unemployment rate:0.6%
Budget:revenues: $135.81 millionexpenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2000)
Industries:tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:531.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:494.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products:aloes; livestock; fish
Exports:$1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machineryand electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners:Netherlands 28.6%, Colombia 21.7%, Panama 16.8%, US 12.1%,Netherlands Antilles 8.3%, Venezuela 7.6% (2002)
Imports:$2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining andreexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:US 54.7%, Netherlands 12.7%, UK 5.7% (2002)
Debt - external:$285 million (1996)
Economic aid - recipient:$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 millionaid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Currency:Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Currency code:AWG
Exchange rates:Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001),1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Aruba
Telephones - main lines in use:33,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3,402 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: more than adequateinternational: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (NetherlandsAntilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:50,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:20,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.aw
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:24,000 (2002)
Transportation Aruba
Railways:0 km
Highways:total: 800 kmpaved: 513 kmnote: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve largetracts of the interior (1995)unpaved: 287 km
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Merchant marine:total: 3note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.)ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Military Aruba
Military branches:no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy andMarines, Coast Guard
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Transnational Issues Aruba
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with someaccompanying money-laundering activity
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Introduction Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Background:These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931;formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports arich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became aNational Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, isnow a marine reserve.
Geography Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Location:Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest ofAustralia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island
Geographic coordinates:12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 5 sq kmnote: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) andCartier Islandwater: 0 sq kmland: 5 sq km
Area - comparative:about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:74.1 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate:tropical
Terrain:low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
People Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon andfresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.)
People - note:the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island hasbecome an ongoing problem
Government Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islandsconventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status:territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Departmentof Transport and Regional Services
Legal system:the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of theNorthern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:the flag of Australia is used
Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; offshore anchorage only
Military Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by theRoyal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Transnational Issues Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Disputes - international:nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefsto assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesiantraditional fishing and to create a national park while prospectingfor hydrocarbons in the vicinity
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Atlantic Ocean
Introduction Atlantic Ocean
Background:The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans(after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, SouthernOcean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund(Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar(Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) areimportant strategic access waterways.
Geography Atlantic Ocean
Location:body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and theWestern Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:0 00 N, 25 00 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 76.762 million sq kmnote: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, LabradorSea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of theScotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:111,866 km
Climate:tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa nearCape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes canoccur from May to December, but are most frequent from August toNovember
Terrain:surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, DenmarkStrait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June;clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) inthe northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in thesouthern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-AtlanticRidge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sandand gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,precious stones
Natural hazards:icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and thenorthwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have beenspotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; shipssubject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic fromOctober to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May toSeptember; hurricanes (May to December)
Environment - current issues:endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions,turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline offish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipalsludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and easternArgentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, LakeMaracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste andmunicipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, andMediterranean Sea
Geography - note:major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar,access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include theStrait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound(Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the AtlanticOcean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Economy Atlantic Ocean
Economy - overview:The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavilytrafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and WesternHemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation ofnatural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of aragonite sands(The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas(Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Transportation Atlantic Ocean
Ports and harbors:Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona(Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon(Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland),Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands,Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille(France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy),New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway),Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam(Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Transportation - note:Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways;significant domestic commercial and recreational use of IntracoastalWaterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexicocoast of US
Transnational Issues Atlantic Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Australia
Introduction Australia
Background:Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. Itwas able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidlydevelop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make amajor contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II.Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of theozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas,especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to changeAustralia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the Britishmonarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.
Geography Australia
Location:Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South PacificOcean
Geographic coordinates:27 00 S, 133 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 7,686,850 sq kmwater: 68,920 sq kmnote: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Islandland: 7,617,930 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:25,760 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropicalin north
Terrain:mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 mhighest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Natural resources:bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium,nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas,petroleum
Land use:arable land: 6.88%permanent crops: 0.03%other: 93.09% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:24,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Environment - current issues:soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising dueto the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing foragricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many uniqueanimal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeastcoast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened byincreased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limitednatural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine LivingResources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands,Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; populationconcentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular,tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occursalong the west coast in the summer
People Australia
Population:19,731,984 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,045,783; female 1,949,864)15-64 years: 67.1% (male 6,680,531; female 6,553,141)65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,099,275; female 1,403,390) (2003est.)
Median age: total: 36 years male: 35.2 years female: 36.8 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.93% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:12.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:4.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 5.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 80.13 yearsmale: 77.27 yearsfemale: 83.13 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:12,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Australian(s)adjective: Australian
Ethnic groups:Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions:Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%,non-Christian 11%, other 12.6%
Languages:English, native languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100% (1980 est.)
Government Australia
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australiaconventional short form: Australia
Government type:democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch assovereign
Capital:Canberra
Administrative divisions:6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, NewSouth Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia,Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas:Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands,Norfolk Island
Independence:1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday:Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system:based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) MichaelJEFFREY (since 11 August 2003)head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON Deputy PrimeMinister John ANDERSON (since 20 July 1999)cabinet: Parliament nominates and selects, from among its members, alist of candidates to serve as government ministers; from this list,the governor general swears in the final selections for the Cabinetelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the primeminister; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in asprime minister by the governor generalnote: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party
Legislative branch:bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainlandterritories; one-half of the members elected every three years bypopular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives (150 seats - this is up from 148 seats in 2001election; members elected by popular vote on the basis ofpreferential representation to serve three-year terms; no state canhave fewer than five representatives)elections: Senate - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held byFebruary 2005); House of Representatives - last held 10 November2001 (next to be held by February 2005)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian LaborParty 28, Australian Democrats 8, Green Party 2, One Nation Party 1,Country Labor Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives -percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LiberalParty-National Party coalition 82, Australian Labor Party 65,independent and other 3
Judicial branch:High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointedby the governor general)
Political parties and leaders:Australian Democrats [Andrew BARTLETT]; Australian Labor Party[Mark LATHAM]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES]; CountryLabor Party [leader NA]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; LiberalParty [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [John ANDERSON]; OneNation Party [Len HARRIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Australian Monarchist League [leader NA]; Australian RepublicanMovement [leader NA]
International organization participation:ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialoguepartner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD,OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE,UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEYconsulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, NewYork, and San FranciscoFAX: [1] (202) 797-3168telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFERembassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian CapitalTerritory 2600mailing address: APO AP 96549telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Flag description:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and alarge seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known asthe Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the coloniesof Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the sixoriginal states and one representing all of Australia's internal andexternal territories; the remaining half is a representation of theSouthern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointedstar and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Economy Australia
Economy - overview:Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with aper capita GDP on par with the four dominant West Europeaneconomies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsettingthe global slump, and business and consumer confidence remainsrobust. Australia's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behindthe economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in majorexport partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 yearscast a shadow over prospects for 2003.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $525.5 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.6% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 3%industry: 26%services: 71% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 2%highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:35.2 (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% (2002 est.)
Labor force:9.2 million (37256)
Labor force - by occupation:services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:6.3% (2002)
Budget:revenues: $86.8 billionexpenditures: $84.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY 00/01 est.)
Industries:mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing,chemicals, steel
Industrial production growth rate:4.3% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:198.2 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% other: 0.9% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:184.4 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:731,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:523,400 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:530,800 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:3.664 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:2.407 trillion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Exports:$66.3 billion (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery andtransport equipment
Exports - partners:Japan 18.5%, US 9.6%, South Korea 8.3%, China 6.9%, New Zealand6.5%, UK 4.7%, Singapore 4.1%, Taiwan 4% (2002)
Imports:$68 billion (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines,telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleumproducts
Imports - partners:US 18.3%, Japan 12.3%, China 10.1%, Germany 5.7%, UK 4.6% (2002)
Debt - external:$176.8 billion (yearend 2002 est.)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $894 million (FY 99/00)
Currency:Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:AUD
Exchange rates:Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72(2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Australia
Telephones - main lines in use:10.05 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:8.6 million (2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent domestic and international servicedomestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone inareas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellulartelephonesinternational: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 IndianOcean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Oceanregions) (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:25.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:104 (1997)
Televisions:10.15 million (1997)
Internet country code:.au
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):571 (2002)
Internet users:10.63 million (2002)
Transportation Australia
Railways:total: 41,588 km (4,612 km electrified)broad gauge: 2,193 km 1.600-m gaugenarrow gauge: 15,456 km 1.067-m gaugedual gauge: 291 km dual gauge (2002)standard gauge: 23,648 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:total: 811,603 kmpaved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways)unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft)
Pipelines:condensate 36 km; condensate/gas 243 km; gas 27,321 km; liquidpetroleum gas 240 km; oil 4,779 km; oil/gas/water 104 km; water 40km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania),Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania),Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Merchant marine:total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,415,810 GRT/1,806,554 DWTnote: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: France 2, UK 2, US 14 (2002 est.)ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk1, container 2, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7,roll on/roll off 6
Airports:444 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 294 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 126 914 to 1,523 m: 134 under 914 m: 13 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 150 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 116 under 914 m: 14 (2002)
Military Australia
Military branches:Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force
Military manpower - military age:17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 5,037,538 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 142,377 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$11.39 billion (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.9% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Australia
Disputes - international:maritime delimitation and resource sharing agreements signed withEast Timor resolve dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves; noagreement reached on dividing Timor Sea with Indonesia (see Ashmoreand Cartier Islands disputes); Australia asserts a territorial claimto Antarctica and to its continental shelf (see Antarctica)
Illicit drugs:Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiateproducts; government maintains strict controls over areas of opiumpoppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Austria
Introduction Austria
Background:Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire,Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in WorldWar I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequentoccupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's statusremained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 endedthe occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbadeunification with Germany. A constitutional law that same yeardeclared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition forSoviet military withdrawal. This neutrality, once ingrained as partof the Austrian cultural identity, has been called into questionsince the Soviet collapse of 1991 and Austria's entry into theEuropean Union in 1995. A prosperous country, Austria entered theEuropean Monetary Union in 1999.
Geography Austria
Location:Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates:47 20 N, 13 20 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 83,858 sq kmwater: 1,120 sq kmland: 82,738 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:total: 2,562 kmborder countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330km, Switzerland 164 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain inlowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers
Terrain:in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the easternand northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 mhighest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m