Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900 FAX: [597] 420800
Flag description:five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red(quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is alarge, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band
Economy Suriname
Economy - overview:The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accountsfor more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname'seconomic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewedcommitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to theintroduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promotecompetition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun anausterity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending.However, in 2002, President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raisefor civil servants, which threatens his earlier gains in stabilizingthe economy. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aidflow, which will allow Suriname to access international developmentfinancing. The short-term economic outlook depends on thegovernment's ability to control inflation and on the development ofprojects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.469 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services: 65% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:70% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):17% (2002 est.)
Labor force:100,000
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:17% (2000)
Budget:revenues: $393 millionexpenditures: $403 million, including capital expenditures of $34million (1997 est.)
Industries:bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, foodprocessing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:6.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity - production:1.959 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:1.822 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:37 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - proved reserves:0 cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp
Exports:$445 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
Exports - partners:US 25.3%, Norway 20.4%, France 8.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.4%,Iceland 6%, Canada 5.9%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002)
Imports:$300 million f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
Imports - partners:US 22.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, China 11.9%, Trinidad and Tobago11.2%, France 7.5%, Netherlands Antilles 7.2%, Japan 5.7% (2002)
Debt - external:$321 million (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:Netherlands provided $37 million for project and programassistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million(1998)
Currency:Surinamese guilder (SRG)
Currency code:SRG
Exchange rates:Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,346.75 (2002), 2,178.5(2001), 1,322.47 (2000), 859.44 (1999), 401 (1998)note: during 1998, the exchange rate splintered into four distinctrates; in January 1999 the government floated the guilder, butsubsequently fixed it when the black-market rate plunged; thegovernment currently allows trading within a band of SRG 500 aroundthe official rate
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Suriname
Telephones - main lines in use:64,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4,090 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: international facilities are gooddomestic: microwave radio relay networkinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:300,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)
Televisions:63,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sr
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:14,500 (2002)
Transportation Suriname
Railways:total: 166 km (single-track)standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gaugenote: Suriname railroads are not in operation (2001)narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:total: 4,492 kmpaved: 1,168 kmunpaved: 3,324 km (2000)
Waterways:1,200 kmnote: most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels withdrafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways
Pipelines:oil 51 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen
Merchant marine:total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWTships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:46 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2002)
Military Suriname
Military branches:National Army (including small Navy and Air Force elements), CivilPolice
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 123,159 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 72,039 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.6% (FY97 est.)
Transnational Issues Suriname
Disputes - international:area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and RiviereMarouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyanabetween New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari]rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundarywith Guyana is in dispute
Illicit drugs:growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined forEurope and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Svalbard
Introduction Svalbard
Background:First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islandsserved as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18thcenturies. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five yearslater it officially took over the territory.
Geography Svalbard
Location:Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea,Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Geographic coordinates:78 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:Arctic Region
Area:total: 62,049 sq kmnote: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)water: 0 sq kmland: 62,049 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:3,587 km
Maritime claims:exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM unilaterally claimed by Norway butnot recognized by Russiaterritorial sea: 4 NM
Climate:arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, coldwinters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts ofSpitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year
Terrain:wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coastclear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and northcoasts
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Natural resources:coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (no trees, and the only bushes are crowberry andcloudberry) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point forcoal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of thenortheastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine mainislands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area
People Svalbard
Population: 2,811 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.02% (2003 est.)
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:0% (2001)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:0 (2001)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:0 (2001)
Ethnic groups:Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998)
Languages:Russian, Norwegian
Literacy:NA
Government Svalbard
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to asSpitzbergen)
Dependency status:territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of theMinistry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing inLongyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereigntywas awarded to Norway
Government type:NA
Capital:Longyearbyen
Independence:none (territory of Norway)
National holiday:NA
Legal system:NA
Executive branch:chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)head of government: Governor Morten RUUD (since NA November 1998)and Assistant Governor Odd Redar HUMLEGAARD (since NA)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistantgovernor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry ofJustice
International organization participation:none
Flag description:the flag of Norway is used
Economy Svalbard
Economy - overview:Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treatyof 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploitmineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK,Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the onlycompanies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements onSvalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-ownedcoal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on theisland, runs many of the local services, and provides most of thelocal infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polarbear, fox, and walrus.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $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:NA
Budget:revenues: $11.5 millionexpenditures: $11.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1998 est.)
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% other: 0% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Exports:$NA
Imports:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$8.2 million from Norway (1998)
Currency:Norwegian krone (NOK)
Currency code:NOK
Exchange rates:Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001),8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999), 7.5451 (1998)
Communications Svalbard
Telephones - main lines in use:NA
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: probably adequatedomestic: local telephone serviceinternational: satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (forcommunication with Norwegian mainland only)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.sj
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):13 (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Svalbard
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:4 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Military Svalbard
Military - note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
Transnational Issues Svalbard
Disputes - international: despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Swaziland
Introduction Swaziland
Background:Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by theBritish in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968.Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured themonarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allowpolitical reform and greater democracy.
Geography Swaziland
Location:Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 17,363 sq kmwater: 160 sq kmland: 17,203 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 mhighest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources:asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small goldand diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use: arable land: 9.77% permanent crops: 0.7% other: 89.53% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:690 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:drought
Environment - current issues:limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations beingdepleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soildegradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
People Swaziland
Population:1,161,219note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41.4% (male 242,762; female 238,141)15-64 years: 55.1% (male 317,526; female 321,709)65 years and over: 3.5% (male 18,040; female 23,041) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 18.5 yearsmale: 18.2 yearsfemale: 18.8 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.83% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:29.37 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:21.08 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 67.44 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 63.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 70.79 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 39.47 yearsmale: 41.02 yearsfemale: 37.87 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.92 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:33.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:170,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:12,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Swazi(s)adjective: Swazi
Ethnic groups:African 97%, European 3%
Religions:Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship)40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist,Mormon, Jewish and other 30%
Languages:English (official, government business conducted in English),siSwati (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 81.6%male: 82.6%female: 80.8% (2003 est.)
Government Swaziland
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Swazilandconventional short form: Swaziland
Government type:monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
Capital:Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital
Administrative divisions:4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence:6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution:none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973;a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was notformally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines fora constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional ReviewCommission (CRC), but so far none have been accepted
Legal system:based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts andSwazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age
Executive branch:chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)head of government: Prime Minister Themba DLAMINI (since 14 November2003)cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed bythe monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of theSenate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and theHouse of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to beheld NA October 2008)election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on anonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the localcouncil of each constituency and for each constituency the threecandidates with the most votes in the first round of voting arenarrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch:High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointedby the monarch
Political parties and leaders:political parties are banned by the constitution - the followingare considered political associations; Imbokodvo National Movementor INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC[Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement orPUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front orSWANAFRO [Elmond SHONGWE, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM,OAU, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYAFAX: [1] (202) 244-8059telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James D. McGEE embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445 FAX: [268] 404-5959
Flag description:three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a largeblack and white shield covering two spears and a staff decoratedwith feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Economy Swaziland
Economy - overview:In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupiesmore than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector hasdiversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remainimportant foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined inimportance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone minesremaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a shortborder with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on SouthAfrica from which it receives nine-tenths of its imports and towhich it sends more than two-thirds of its exports. Customs dutiesfrom the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances fromSouth Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income.The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreigninvestment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimesfloods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth ofthe population needed emergency food aid in 2002 because of drought,and more than one-third of the adult population was infected byHIV/AIDS.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $5.542 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.6% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 44% services: 39% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:40% (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 1%highest 10%: 50.2% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):11.8% (2002 est.)
Labor force:383,200 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:NA
Unemployment rate:34% (2000 est.)
Budget:revenues: $448 millionexpenditures: $506.9 million, including capital expenditures of $147million (FY 01/02)
Industries:mining (coal), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textileand apparel
Industrial production growth rate:3.7% (FY 95/96)
Electricity - production:348.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:962.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:639 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Exports: $820 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
Exports - partners:South Africa 72%, EU 14.2%, Mozambique 3.7%, US 3.5%, UK (1999)
Imports:$938 million f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:South Africa 88.8%, EU 5.6%, Japan 0.6%, Singapore 0.4% (1999)
Debt - external:$320 million (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$104 million (2001)
Currency:lilangeni (SZL)
Currency code:SZL
Exchange rates:emalangeni per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000),6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Swaziland
Telephones - main lines in use:38,500 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:45,000 (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced systemdomestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines andlow-capacity, microwave radio relayinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2001)
Radios:170,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:5 plus 7 relay stations (2001)
Televisions:23,000 (2000)
Internet country code:.sz
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2002)
Internet users:7,000 (2002)
Transportation Swaziland
Railways: total: 301 km narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 3,247 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (1998)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:18 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2002)
Military Swaziland
Military branches:Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal Swaziland Police Force
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 284,530 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 165,005 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$20 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.75% (FY00)
Transnational Issues Swaziland
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Sweden
Introduction Sweden
Background:A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has notparticipated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutralitywas preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economicformula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfareelements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment, risingmaintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets.Indecision over the country's role in the political and economicintegration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995,and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Geography Sweden
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 449,964 sq kmwater: 39,030 sq kmland: 410,934 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline:3,218 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlinesterritorial sea: 12 NM (adjustments made to return a portion ofstraits to high seas)
Climate:temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partlycloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain:mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad-2.41 mhighest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources:zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 6.8% permanent crops: 0% other: 93.2% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:1,150 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf ofBothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Environment - current issues:acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea andthe Baltic Sea
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and NorthSeas
People Sweden
Population:8,878,085 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.7% (male 804,296; female 763,213)15-64 years: 65% (male 2,933,183; female 2,835,835)65 years and over: 17.3% (male 654,575; female 886,983) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 40.1 yearsmale: 39 yearsfemale: 41.4 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.01% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:10.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 2.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.97 yearsmale: 77.31 yearsfemale: 82.78 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.54 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Swede(s)adjective: Swedish
Ethnic groups:indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities;foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs,Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Religions:Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish,Buddhist
Languages:Swedishnote: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99% (1979 est.)male: NA%female: NA%
Government Sweden
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Swedenconventional short form: Swedenlocal short form: Sverigelocal long form: Konungariket Sverige
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:Stockholm
Administrative divisions:21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas,Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar,Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane,Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens,Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands
Independence:6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
National holiday:Flag Day, 6 June
Constitution:1 January 1975
Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973);Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter ofthe monarch (born 14 July 1977)head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March1996)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the prime minister is elected by the Parliament; electionlast held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131out of 349 votes
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected bypopular vote on a proportional representation basis to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September2006)election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%,Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, LeftParty 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - SocialDemocrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by theprime minister and the cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [AlfSVENSSON]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons areMaria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or VP (formerlyCommunist) [Ulla HOFFMAN (acting)]; Liberal People's Party [LarsLEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT];Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE,EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG,OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK,UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles A. HEIMBOLD, Jr. embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64
Flag description:blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag;the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in thestyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Sweden
Economy - overview:Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century, Swedenhas achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system ofhigh-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a moderndistribution system, excellent internal and external communications,and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron oreconstitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented towardforeign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% ofindustrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50%of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and2% of the jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal disciplineresulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cutby more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown,revenue declines, and spending increases. The Swedish central bank(the Riksbank) is focusing on price stability with its inflationtarget of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003. On September 14,2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system,concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $230.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.9% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 2%industry: 29%services: 69% (2001)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:4.4 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:4% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $119 billionexpenditures: $110 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2001 est.)
Industries:iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephoneparts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods,motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:0.9% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:152.9 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% other: 2.3% (2001) nuclear: 43%
Electricity - consumption:134.9 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:18.45 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:11.14 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:203,700 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:553,100 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:949 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:968 million cu m (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Exports:$80.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, ironand steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 11.6%, Germany 10.1%, Norway 9%, UK 8.2%, Denmark 5.9%, Finland5.6%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 5.1%, Belgium 4.7% (2002)
Imports:$68.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motorvehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:Germany 18.5%, Denmark 8.8%, UK 8.6%, Norway 8.2%, Netherlands6.7%, France 5.4%, Finland 5.2%, US 5% (2002)
Debt - external:$66.5 billion (1994)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)
Currency:Swedish krona (SEK)
Currency code:SEK
Exchange rates:Swedish kronor per US dollar - 9.74 (2002), 10.33 (2001), 9.16(2000), 8.26 (1999), 7.95 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use:6.017 million (December 1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3.835 million (October 1998)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent domestic and internationalfacilities; automatic systemdomestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voicetraffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry someadditional telephone channelsinternational: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations- 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlanticand Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earthstation with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland,and Norway)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:8.25 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:4.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:.se
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):29 (2000)
Internet users:6.02 million (2002)
Transportation Sweden
Railways: total: 11,481 km standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2002)
Highways:total: 212,402 kmpaved: 166,523 km (including 1,499 km of expressways)unpaved: 45,879 km (2000)
Waterways: 2,052 km note: navigable to small steamers and barges
Pipelines:gas 798 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar,Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Merchant marine:total: 166 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,329,925 GRT/1,609,986 DWTnote: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Denmark 8, Finland 8, Germany 3, Italy 3, Japan 2,Norway 7 (2002 est.)ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 35, chemical tanker 31, combinationore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 35, short-seapassenger 8, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 21
Airports:245 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 25 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2002)
Heliports: 2 (2002)
Military Sweden
Military branches:Army, Royal Navy (including Coast Artillery and Naval HelicopterService), Air Force
Military manpower - military age:19 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,060,044 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,800,376 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 52,692 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4.395 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.1% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Sweden
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Switzerland
Introduction Switzerland
Background:Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored bythe major European powers, and Switzerland was not involved ineither of the two World Wars. The political and economic integrationof Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's rolein many UN and international organizations, has strengthenedSwitzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did notofficially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains activein many UN and international organizations, but retains a strongcommitment to neutrality.
Geography Switzerland
Location:Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates:47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 41,290 sq kmwater: 1,520 sq kmland: 39,770 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,852 kmborder countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowywinters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain:mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a centralplateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 mhighest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources:hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use: arable land: 10.57% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 88.82% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:250 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Environment - current issues:air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acidrain; water pollution from increased use of agriculturalfertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along withsoutheastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, hasthe highest elevations in the Alps
People Switzerland
Population:7,318,638 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.6% (male 623,428; female 591,709)15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,519,302; female 2,439,560)65 years and over: 15.6% (male 470,257; female 674,382) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 40.2 yearsmale: 39.3 yearsfemale: 41.2 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.21% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)