Natural resources:iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper,hydropower
Land use: arable land: 16.89% permanent crops: 0.99% other: 82.12% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:457 sq km (2000 est.)
Natural hazards:landslides; avalanches; earthquakes
Environment - current issues: some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol
Geography - note:landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europewith many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major riveris the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlandsbecause of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere
People Austria
Population:8,188,207 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.2% (male 678,944; female 646,390)15-64 years: 68.3% (male 2,827,736; female 2,768,480)65 years and over: 15.5% (male 490,979; female 775,678) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 39.4 yearsmale: 38.2 yearsfemale: 40.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.22% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:2.44 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: 0.63 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.17 yearsmale: 75.02 yearsfemale: 81.48 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.41 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:9,900 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Austrian(s)adjective: Austrian
Ethnic groups:German 88%, non-nationals 9.3% (includes Croatians, Slovenes,Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma), naturalized 2% (includes thosewho have lived in Austria at least three generations)
Religions:Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17%
Languages:German
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98%male: NA%female: NA%
Government Austria
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Austriaconventional short form: Austrialocal short form: Oesterreichlocal long form: Republik Oesterreich
Government type:federal republic
Capital:Vienna
Administrative divisions:9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland,Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark,Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien
Independence:1156 (from Bavaria)
National holiday:National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the StateTreaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation andthe passage of the law on permanent neutrality
Constitution:1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)
Legal system:civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review oflegislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separateadministrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992)head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the adviceof the chancellorelections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-yearterm; presidential election last held 19 April 1998 (next to be heldin the spring of 2004); chancellor traditionally chosen by thepresident from the plurality party in the National Council; vicechancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellornote: government coalition - OeVP and FPOeelection results: Thomas KLESTIL reelected president; percent ofvote - Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%,Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2%
Legislative branch:bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of FederalCouncil or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of thestates on the basis of population, but with each state having atleast three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term)and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members electedby direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP42.3%, SPOe 36.9%, FPOe 10.2%, Greens 9%; seats by party - OeVP 79,SPOe 69, FPOe 19, Greens 16elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to beheld in the fall of 2006)
Judicial branch:Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; AdministrativeCourt or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court orVerfassungsgerichtshof
Political parties and leaders:Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Partyof Austria or FPOe [Herbert HAUPT]; Social Democratic Party ofAustria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens Alternative or GA[Alexander VAN DER BELLEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB;Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of AustrianIndustrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chieflay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of theAustrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, andfarmers
International organization participation:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN,EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG,OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF,UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK,UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU(observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNYchancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 895-6750telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr.embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Viennamailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [43] (1) 31339, 31375, 31335FAX: [43] (1) 5125835
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Economy Austria
Economy - overview:Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standardof living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especiallyGermany's. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreigninvestors attracted by Austria's access to the single Europeanmarket and proximity to EU aspirant economies. Slowing growth inGermany and elsewhere in the world held the economy to only 1.2%growth in 2001, 0.6% in 2002, and 0.8% in 2003.. To meet increasedcompetition from both EU and Central European countries, Austriawill need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy,continue to deregulate the service sector, and lower its tax burden.A key issue is the encouragement of much greater participation inthe labor market by its ageing population.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $227.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 2%industry: 33%services: 65% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.5% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:31 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.8% (2002 est.)
Labor force:4.3 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation: services 67%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 4% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:4.8% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $53 billionexpenditures: $54 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(2001 est.)
Industries:construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals,lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communicationsequipment, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:3.8% (2001 est.)
Electricity - production:58.75 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% other: 3.5% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:54.85 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:14.25 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:14.47 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:35,470 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:262,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:85.69 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:403 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:24.9 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber
Exports:$70 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper andpaperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles,foodstuffs
Exports - partners:Germany 31.5%, Italy 9.3%, Switzerland 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.9%,France 4.7%, Hungary 4.3% (2002)
Imports:$74 billion c.i.f. (2001)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods,oil and oil products; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Germany 42.6%, Italy 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Switzerland 4.8%,Netherlands 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:$12.1 billion (2001 est.)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $410 million (2000)
Currency:euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced theeuro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutionsof member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the solecurrency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94(1999), 12.38 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Austria
Telephones - main lines in use: 4 million (consisting of 3,600,000 analog main lines plus 400,000 Integrated Services Digital Network connections); in addition, there are 100,000 Asymmetric Digital Services lines (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:6 million (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: highly developed and efficientdomestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiberoptic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internetservices are availableinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 AtlanticOcean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in addition, there areabout 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 160 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios:6.08 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:45 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:4.25 million (1997)
Internet country code:.at
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):37 (2000)
Internet users:3.7 million (2002)
Transportation Austria
Railways:total: 6,024 km (3,641 km electrified)standard gauge: 5,566 km 1.435-m gauge (3,524 km electrified)narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 424 km0.760-m gauge (89 km electrified) (2002)
Highways:total: 200,000 kmpaved: 200,000 km (including 1,633 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Waterways:358 km (1999)
Pipelines:gas 2,722 km; oil 687 km; refined products 149 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna
Merchant marine:total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 27,551 GRT/34,225 DWTships by type: cargo 4, container 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:55 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 14 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Heliports: 1 (2002)
Military Austria
Military branches:Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)
Military manpower - military age:19 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,093,821 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 49,090 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.497 billion (FY01/02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.8% (FY01/02)
Transnational Issues Austria
Disputes - international: minor disputes with Czech Republic and Slovenia continue over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South Americancocaine destined for Western Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Azerbaijan
Introduction Azerbaijan
Background:Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population- regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Unionin 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolveits conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakhenclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of itsterritory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internallydisplaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption isubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan'sundeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.
Geography Azerbaijan
Location:Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran andRussia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Geographic coordinates:40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 86,600 sq kmnote: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and theNagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished byAzerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991water: 500 sq kmland: 86,100 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:total: 2,013 kmborder countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran(with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivanexclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800km, est.)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain:large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it belowsea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, QarabagYaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi(Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina
Land use: arable land: 19.31% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 77.65% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:14,550 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:droughts
Environment - current issues:local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (ApsheronPeninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to bethe ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severeair, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oilspills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxicdefoliants used in the production of cotton
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave arelandlocked
People Azerbaijan
Population:7,830,764 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27.7% (male 1,101,320; female 1,064,214)15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,468,772; female 2,601,312)65 years and over: 7.6% (male 236,683; female 358,463) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 27.1 yearsmale: 25.7 yearsfemale: 28.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.44% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:19.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:9.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-5.16 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: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 82.41 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 80.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 63.16 yearsmale: 58.95 yearsfemale: 67.58 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 1,400 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Azerbaijani(s)adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups:Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3%(1998 est.)note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakhregion
Religions:Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other1.8% (1995 est.)note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan;percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Languages:Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995est.)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 99%female: 96% (1989 est.)
Government Azerbaijan
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijanconventional short form: Azerbaijanlocal short form: noneformer: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republiclocal long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
Government type:republic
Capital:Baku (Baki)
Administrative divisions:59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar- singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); AbseronRayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu,Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*,Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu,Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu,Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu,Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu,Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu,Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*,Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu,Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, QobustanRayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu,Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, SamaxiRayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, SumqayitSahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu,Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, XiziRayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, YevlaxRayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, ZardabRayonu
Independence:30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)
Constitution:adopted 12 November 1995
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president andconfirmed by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed bythe president and confirmed by the National Assemblyelection results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote -Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAROV 14%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November2005)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2,CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take theirseatsnote: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on thebasis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected basedon proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 nationalreferendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of thenext parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies
Judicial branch:Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform"faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; CivicSolidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party[Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [RamizAHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party forAzerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [IlyasISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HACIYEVA];Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [HeydarALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan orPNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party ofAzerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE]note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-KarabakhRepublic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-AzerbaijaniForces (UPAF)
International organization participation:AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OIC,OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ross L. WILSON embassy: 83 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; acrescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Economy Azerbaijan
Economy - overview:Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil productiondeclined through 1997 but has registered an increase every yearsince. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) withforeign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion tolong-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed tospur future industrial development. Oil production under the firstof these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company,began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidableproblems of the former Soviet republics in making the transitionfrom a command to a market economy, but its considerable energyresources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recentlybegun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties andstructures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economicprogress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in thenon-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict withArmenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and theother former Soviet republics is declining in importance while tradeis building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-termprospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of newpipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oilwealth.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $28.61 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:10.6% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 33% services: 47% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 49% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:36 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.6% (2002 est.)
Labor force:3.7 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001)
Unemployment rate:16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $786 millionexpenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2001 est.)
Industries:petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment;steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:18.23 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:16.65 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:700 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:400 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:589 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:62.3 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Exports:$2 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:Italy 28.7%, Germany 17.7%, Israel 10.6%, France 8.4%, Georgia6.7%, Russia 4.7% (2002)
Imports:$1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals
Imports - partners:Russia 17.8%, Turkey 11.9%, Germany 10.7%, France 7%, Kazakhstan6.3%, China 6%, UK 5.5%, US 4.5% (2002)
Debt - external:$1.4 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)
Currency:Azerbaijani manat (AZM)
Currency code:AZM
Exchange rates:Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58(2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999), 3,869 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Azerbaijan
Telephones - main lines in use:865,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:800,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion andmodernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low(2002)domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and otherindustrial centers - about 700 villages still without publictelephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modernswitch in its exclave of Naxcivaninternational: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is stillserviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reachabout 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connectedto Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:175,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1997)
Televisions:170,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.az
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:25,000 (2002)
Transportation Azerbaijan
Railways: total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2002)
Highways: total: 24,981 km paved: 23,057 km unpaved: 1,924 km (2000)
Waterways:none
Pipelines:gas 5,001 km; oil 1,631 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Baku (Baki)
Merchant marine:total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 251,004 GRT/313,193 DWTships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2(2002 est.)
Airports:71 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3.047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Military Azerbaijan
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,159,450 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 82,925 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$121 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.6% (FY99)
Transnational Issues Azerbaijan
Disputes - international:Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakhand militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organizationfor Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediatedispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabeddelimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues toinsist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan'shydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; ICJ decision expected toresolve dispute with Turkmenistan over sovereignty of certainCaspian oilfields
Illicit drugs:limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly forCIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit pointfor Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extentthe rest of Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Bahamas, The
Introduction Bahamas, The
Background:Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbusfirst set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. Britishsettlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colonyin 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, TheBahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking andinvestment management. Because of its geography, the country is amajor transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipmentsto the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrantsinto the US.
Geography Bahamas, The
Location:Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeastof Florida, northeast of Cuba
Geographic coordinates:24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 13,940 sq kmwater: 3,870 sq kmland: 10,070 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:3,542 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain:long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Land use: arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 99% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and winddamage
Environment - current issues:coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chainof which 30 are inhabited
People Bahamas, The
Population:297,477note: 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: 28.8% (male 42,799; female 42,730)15-64 years: 65.4% (male 95,718; female 98,875)65 years and over: 5.8% (male 7,092; female 10,263) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 27 yearsmale: 26.2 yearsfemale: 27.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.77% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:18.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 26.21 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 19.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 32.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 65.71 yearsmale: 62.3 yearsfemale: 69.18 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:3.5% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:6,200 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:610 (2001 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic groups:black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Religions:Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Churchof God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Languages:English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 95.6%male: 94.7%female: 96.5% (2003 est.)
Government Bahamas, The
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamasconventional short form: The Bahamas
Government type:constitutional parliamentary democracy
Capital:Nassau
Administrative divisions:21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island,Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay,Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, MarshHarbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands,Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Independence:10 July 1973 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Constitution:10 July 1973
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Ivy DUMONT (since NA May 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002)and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the primeminister's recommendationelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalitionis usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; theprime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member bodyappointed by the governor general upon the advice of the primeminister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and theHouse of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular voteto serve five-year terms)elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%,independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts
Political parties and leaders:Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; ProgressiveLiberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Robert M.WITAJEWSKIembassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassaumailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197,Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC20521-3370telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, andaquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Economy Bahamas, The
Economy - overview:The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavilydependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accountsfor more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half ofthe archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts anda boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences hadled to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the USeconomy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth inthese sectors in 2002. Manufacturing and agriculture togethercontribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth,despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growthprospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of thetourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source ofmost of the visitors.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $4.59 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:0.1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 3%industry: 7%services: 90% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.8% (2001 est.)
Labor force:156,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: tourism 50%, other services 40%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:6.9% (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $918.5 millionexpenditures: $956.5 million, including capital expenditures of$106.7 million (FY 99/00)
Industries:tourism, banking, e-commerce, cement, oil refining andtransshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-weldedsteel pipe
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:1.56 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:1.451 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products:citrus, vegetables; poultry
Exports:$560.7 million (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish and crawfish; rum, salt, chemicals; fruit and vegetables
Exports - partners:US 39.1%, Germany 15.4%, Spain 10.8%, France 7.4%, Poland 4.6%,Switzerland 4.3% (2002)
Imports:$1.86 billion (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineralfuels; food and live animals
Imports - partners:US 20.3%, South Korea 20.1%, Germany 11.5%, Norway 11.5%, Japan10%, Italy 7.2% (2002)
Debt - external:$371.6 million (2001)
Economic aid - recipient:$9.8 million (1995)
Currency:Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Currency code:BSD
Exchange rates:Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1(1999), 1 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Bahamas, The
Telephones - main lines in use:96,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:6,152 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern facilitiesdomestic: totally automatic system; highly developedinternational: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida;3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat(Atlantic Ocean) (1997)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:215,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:67,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.bs
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):19 (2000)
Internet users:16,900 (2002)
Transportation Bahamas, The
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Merchant marine:total: 1,090 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,065,778 GRT/46,202,085 DWTships by type: bulk 150, cargo 223, chemical tanker 45, combinationbulk 12, combination ore/oil 18, container 108, liquefied gas 26,livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 8,passenger 102, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 178, refrigeratedcargo 135, roll on/roll off 40, short-sea passenger 17, specializedtanker 2, vehicle carrier 23note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 4, Belgium 18, Bermuda1, Canada 5, Chile 1, China 3, Croatia 2, Cuba 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark27, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2, Finland 9, France 15, Germany 26, Greece173, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy9, Jamaica 1, Japan 32, Kenya 3, Malaysia 10, Malta 2, Monaco 67,Netherlands 32, New Zealand 2, Norway 237, Panama 2, Philippines 3,Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 9, Singapore 13,Slovenia 1, South Korea 2, Spain 7, Sweden 12, Switzerland 8,Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, Turkey 2, Ukraine 2, United ArabEmirates 10, United Kingdom 107, United States 159, Uruguay 1 (2002est.)
Airports:64 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 22 (2002)
Heliports: 1 (2002)
Military Bahamas, The
Military branches:Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal BahamasPolice Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$20 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.7% (FY99)
Transnational Issues Bahamas, The
Disputes - international:have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary with the US
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US andEurope; offshore financial center
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Bahrain
Introduction Bahrain
Background:Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulfcountries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreignaffairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves,Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and hastransformed itself into an international banking center. The newamir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reformsand has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. InFebruary 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the NationalAction Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's politicalliberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa AlKhalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis electedmembers of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicamerallegislature, the National Assembly.
Geography Bahrain
Location:Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 665 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 665 sq km
Area - comparative:3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:161 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Climate:arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Land use: arable land: 4.35% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 91.3% (1998 est.)