Portugal20 years of age (2003 est.)
Qatar18 years of age (2003 est.)
Reunion18 years of age (2003 est.)
Romania20 years of age (2003 est.)
Russia18 years of age (2003)
Saudi Arabia17 years of age (2003 est.)
Senegal18 years of age (2003 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro19 years of age (2003 est.)
Slovakia18 years of age (2003 est.)
Slovenia19 years of age (2003 est.)
South Africa18 years of age (2003 est.)
Spain20 years of age (2003 est.)
Sri Lanka18 years of age (2003 est.)
Sudan18 years of age (2003 est.)
Sweden19 years of age (2003 est.)
Switzerland20 years of age (2003 est.)
Syria19 years of age (2003 est.)
Taiwan19 years of age (2003 est.)
Tajikistan18 years of age (2003 est.)
Thailand18 years of age (2003 est.)
Tunisia20 years of age (2003 est.)
Turkey20 years of age (2003 est.)
Turkmenistan18 years of age (2003 est.)
Ukraine18 years of age (2003 est.)
United Arab Emirates18 years of age (2003 est.)
United States18 years of age (2003 est.)
Uzbekistan18 years of age (2003 est.)
Venezuela18 years of age (2003 est.)
Vietnam17 years of age (2003 est.)
Yemen14 years of age (2003 est.)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@2025 Military manpower - fit for military service
Afghanistanmales age 15-49: 3,837,646 (2003 est.)
Albaniamales age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.)
Algeriamales age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.)
Angolamales age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.)
Argentinamales age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.)
Armeniamales age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.)
Australiamales age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.)
Austriamales age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijanmales age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.)
Bahrainmales age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.)
Bangladeshmales age 15-49: 22,807,339 (2003 est.)
Barbadosmales age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.)
Belarusmales age 15-49: 2,158,875 (2003 est.)
Belgiummales age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.)
Belizemales age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.)
Beninmales age 15-49: 805,603females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.)
Bhutanmales age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.)
Boliviamales age 15-49: 1,380,883 (2003 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovinamales age 15-49: 897,856 (2003 est.)
Botswanamales age 15-49: 201,402 (2003 est.)
Brazilmales age 15-49: 34,347,078 (2003 est.)
Bruneimales age 15-49: 63,966 (2003 est.)
Bulgariamales age 15-49: 1,551,485 (2003 est.)
Burkina Fasomales age 15-49: 1,506,944 (2003 est.)
Burmamales age 15-49: 6,566,122females age 15-49: 6,553,458 (2003 est.)
Burundimales age 15-49: 723,516 (2003 est.)
Cambodiamales age 15-49: 1,829,535 (2003 est.)
Cameroonmales age 15-49: 1,928,285 (2003 est.)
Canadamales age 15-49: 7,158,016 (2003 est.)
Cape Verdemales age 15-49: 53,842 (2003 est.)
Central African Republicmales age 15-49: 449,466 (2003 est.)
Chadmales age 15-49: 1,015,982 (2003 est.)
Chilemales age 15-49: 3,070,140 (2003 est.)
Chinamales age 15-49: 206 million (2003 est.)
Colombiamales age 15-49: 7,403,433 (2003 est.)
Comorosmales age 15-49: 89,090 (2003 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 15-49: 6,267,752 (2003 est.)
Congo, Republic of themales age 15-49: 381,556 (2003 est.)
Costa Ricamales age 15-49: 722,043 (2003 est.)
Cote d'Ivoiremales age 15-49: 2,110,276 (2003 est.)
Croatiamales age 15-49: 856,946 (2003 est.)
Cubamales age 15-49: 1,923,967females age 15-49: 1,875,412 (2003 est.)
Cyprusmales age 15-49: 138,336 (2003 est.)
Czech Republicmales age 15-49: 2,002,202 (2003 est.)
Denmarkmales age 15-49: 1,094,611 (2003 est.)
Djiboutimales age 15-49: 63,459 (2003 est.)
Dominican Republicmales age 15-49: 1,453,705 (2003 est.)
East TimorNA
Ecuadormales age 15-49: 2,395,178 (2003 est.)
Egyptmales age 15-49: 12,867,160 (2003 est.)
El Salvadormales age 15-49: 973,884 (2003 est.)
Equatorial Guineamales age 15-49: 59,110 (2003 est.)
Estoniamales age 15-49: 283,278 (2003 est.)
Ethiopiamales age 15-49: 8,040,381 (2003 est.)
Fijimales age 15-49: 129,432 (2003 est.)
Finlandmales age 15-49: 1,016,693 (2003 est.)
Francemales age 15-49: 12,079,413 (2003 est.)
French Guianamales age 15-49: 33,345 (2003 est.)
Gabonmales age 15-49: 158,226 (2003 est.)
Gambia, Themales age 15-49: 170,904 (2003 est.)
Georgiamales age 15-49: 1,028,913 (2003 est.)
Germanymales age 15-49: 17,399,936 (2003 est.)
Ghanamales age 15-49: 2,911,474 (2003 est.)
Greecemales age 15-49: 2,026,409 (2003 est.)
Guatemalamales age 15-49: 2,167,270 (2003 est.)
Guineamales age 15-49: 1,038,428 (2003 est.)
Guinea-Bissaumales age 15-49: 181,318 (2003 est.)
Guyanamales age 15-49: 156,174 (2003 est.)
Haitimales age 15-49: 944,474 (2003 est.)
Hondurasmales age 15-49: 948,957 (2003 est.)
Hong Kongmales age 15-49: 1,524,903 (2003 est.)
Hungarymales age 15-49: 2,026,912 (2003 est.)
Icelandmales age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.)
Indiamales age 15-49: 169 million (2003 est.)
Indonesiamales age 15-49: 38,290,550 (2003 est.)
Iranmales age 15-49: 12,094,551 (2003 est.)
Iraqmales age 15-49: 3,541,467 (2003 est.)
Irelandmales age 15-49: 821,378 (2003 est.)
Israelmales age 15-49: 1,279,277females age 15-49: 1,237,926 (2003 est.)
Italymales age 15-49: 12,349,356 (2003 est.)
Jamaicamales age 15-49: 528,689 (2003 est.)
Japanmales age 15-49: 25,405,779 (2003 est.)
Jordanmales age 15-49: 1,113,787 (2003 est.)
Kazakhstanmales age 15-49: 3,658,815 (2003 est.)
Kenyamales age 15-49: 5,017,501 (2003 est.)
Korea, Northmales age 15-49: 3,654,223 (2003 est.)
Korea, Southmales age 15-49: 8,994,941 (2003 est.)
Kuwaitmales age 15-49: 508,399 (2003 est.)
Kyrgyzstanmales age 15-49: 1,026,063 (2003 est.)
Laosmales age 15-49: 759,499 (2003 est.)
Latviamales age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.)
Lebanonmales age 15-49: 630,657 (2003 est.)
Lesothomales age 15-49: 250,560 (2003 est.)
Liberiamales age 15-49: 396,725 (2003 est.)
Libyamales age 15-49: 914,649 (2003 est.)
Lithuaniamales age 15-49: 735,536 (2003 est.)
Luxembourgmales age 15-49: 93,994 (2003 est.)
Macaumales age 15-49: 71,826 (2003 est.)
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of males age 15-49: 446,726 (2003 est.)
Madagascarmales age 15-49: 2,300,587 (2003 est.)
Malawimales age 15-49: 1,347,248 (2003 est.)
Malaysiamales age 15-49: 3,672,517 (2003 est.)
Maldivesmales age 15-49: 43,386 (2003 est.)
Malimales age 15-49: 1,400,711 (2003 est.)
Maltamales age 15-49: 79,080 (2003 est.)
Mauritaniamales age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.)
Mauritiusmales age 15-49: 171,556 (2003 est.)
Mexicomales age 15-49: 20,123,970 (2003 est.)
Moldovamales age 15-49: 936,629 (2003 est.)
Mongoliamales age 15-49: 516,502 (2003 est.)
Moroccomales age 15-49: 5,411,846 (2003 est.)
Mozambiquemales age 15-49: 2,373,444 (2003 est.)
Namibiamales age 15-49: 274,015 (2003 est.)
Naurumales age 15-49: 1,762 (2003 est.)
Nepalmales age 15-49: 3,467,511 (2003 est.)
Netherlandsmales age 15-49: 3,536,586 (2003 est.)
Netherlands Antillesmales age 15-49: 30,840 (2003 est.)
New Zealandmales age 15-49: 859,505 (2003 est.)
Nicaraguamales age 15-49: 825,906 (2003 est.)
Nigermales age 15-49: 1,288,396 (2003 est.)
Nigeriamales age 15-49: 18,259,696 (2003 est.)
Norwaymales age 15-49: 910,628 (2003 est.)
Omanmales age 15-49: 438,326 (2003 est.)
Pakistanmales age 15-49: 23,328,575 (2003 est.)
Panamamales age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.)
Papua New Guineamales age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.)
Paraguaymales age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.)
Perumales age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.)
Philippinesmales age 15-49: 15,428,043 (2003 est.)
Polandmales age 15-49: 8,077,706 (2003 est.)
Portugalmales age 15-49: 2,017,678 (2003 est.)
Qatarmales age 15-49: 168,416 (2003 est.)
Reunionmales age 15-49: 101,116 (2003 est.)
Romaniamales age 15-49: 4,974,240 (2003 est.)
Russiamales age 15-49: 24 million (2003 est.)
Rwandamales age 15-49: 982,909 (2003 est.)
Sao Tome and Principemales age 15-49: 19,443 (2003 est.)
Saudi Arabiamales age 15-49: 3,431,281 (2003 est.)
Senegalmales age 15-49: 1,256,973 (2003 est.)
Serbia and Montenegromales age 15-49: 2,077,660 (2003 est.)
Seychellesmales age 15-49: 11,639 (2003 est.)
Sierra Leonemales age 15-49: 596,617 (2003 est.)
Singaporemales age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.)
Slovakiamales age 15-49: 1,135,612 (2003 est.)
Sloveniamales age 15-49: 413,453 (2003 est.)
Somaliamales age 15-49: 1,072,689 (2003 est.)
South Africamales age 15-49: 7,211,075 (2003 est.)
Spainmales age 15-49: 8,391,612 (2003 est.)
Sri Lankamales age 15-49: 4,172,921 (2003 est.)
Sudanmales age 15-49: 5,558,462 (2003 est.)
Surinamemales age 15-49: 72,039 (2003 est.)
Swazilandmales age 15-49: 165,005 (2003 est.)
Swedenmales age 15-49: 1,800,376 (2003 est.)
Switzerlandmales age 15-49: 1,552,728 (2003 est.)
Syriamales age 15-49: 2,629,148 (2003 est.)
Taiwanmales age 15-49: 5,019,268 (2003 est.)
Tajikistanmales age 15-49: 1,397,188 (2003 est.)
Tanzaniamales age 15-49: 4,911,235 (2003 est.)
Thailandmales age 15-49: 10,724,565 (2003 est.)
Togomales age 15-49: 666,132 (2003 est.)
Trinidad and Tobagomales age 15-49: 233,488 (2003 est.)
Tunisiamales age 15-49: 1,629,241 (2003 est.)
Turkeymales age 15-49: 11,801,267 (2003 est.)
Turkmenistanmales age 15-49: 1,005,686 (2003 est.)
Ugandamales age 15-49: 2,974,259 (2003 est.)
Ukrainemales age 15-49: 9,597,172 (2003 est.)
United Arab Emiratesmales age 15-49: 416,963 (2003 est.)
United Kingdommales age 15-49: 12,353,942 (2003 est.)
United StatesNA
Uruguaymales age 15-49: 672,030 (2003 est.)
Uzbekistanmales age 15-49: 5,635,099 (2003 est.)
Venezuelamales age 15-49: 4,870,751 (2003 est.)
Vietnammales age 15-49: 14,366,732 (2003 est.)
Yemenmales age 15-49: 2,493,612 (2003 est.)
Zambiamales age 15-49: 1,279,846 (2003 est.)
Zimbabwemales age 15-49: 2,003,572 (2003 est.)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@2026 Military manpower - reaching military age annually
Afghanistanmales: 275,223 (2003 est.)
Albaniamales: 36,985 (2003 est.)
Algeriamales: 412,545 (2003 est.)
Angolamales: 109,752 (2003 est.)
Argentinamales: 331,011 (2003 est.)
Armeniamales: 37,209 (2003 est.)
Australiamales: 142,377 (2003 est.)
Austriamales: 49,090 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijanmales: 82,925 (2003 est.)
Bahrainmales: 6,126 (2003 est.)
Belarusmales: 86,654 (2003 est.)
Belgiummales: 60,921 (2003 est.)
Belizemales: 3,046 (2003 est.)
Benin males: 75,021 females: 78,998 (2003 est.)
Bhutanmales: 22,755 (2003 est.)
Boliviamales: 96,003 (2003 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovinamales: 29,861 (2003 est.)
Botswanamales: 20,476 (2003 est.)
Brazilmales: 1,744,148 (2003 est.)
Bruneimales: 3,277 (2003 est.)
Bulgariamales: 54,107 (2003 est.)
Burmamales: 453,420females: 455,422 (2003 est.)
Burundimales: 79,462 (2003 est.)
Cambodiamales: 165,395 (2003 est.)
Cameroonmales: 179,586 (2003 est.)
Canadamales: 216,488 (2003 est.)
Chadmales: 86,953 (2003 est.)
Chilemales: 131,324 (2003 est.)
Chinamales: 10,973,761 (2003 est.)
Colombiamales: 392,468 (2003 est.)
Congo, Republic of themales: 31,644 (2003 est.)
Costa Ricamales: 41,453 (2003 est.)
Cote d'Ivoiremales: 198,115 (2003 est.)
Croatiamales: 30,096 (2003 est.)
Cubamales: 81,095females: 87,780 (2003 est.)
Cyprusmales: 6,638 (2003 est.)
Czech Republicmales: 67,777 (2003 est.)
Denmarkmales: 28,198 (2003 est.)
Dominican Republicmales: 89,073 (2003 est.)
East TimorNA
Ecuadormales: 137,433 (2003 est.)
Egyptmales: 743,305 (2003 est.)
El Salvadormales: 69,534 (2003 est.)
Estoniamales: 11,123 (2003 est.)
Ethiopiamales: 714,165 (2003 est.)
Fijimales: 9,359 (2003 est.)
Finlandmales: 31,926 (2003 est.)
Francemales: 392,824 (2003 est.)
Gabonmales: 12,853 (2003 est.)
Georgiamales: 43,359 (2003 est.)
Germanymales: 472,946 (2003 est.)
Ghanamales: 239,742 (2003 est.)
Greecemales: 74,650 (2003 est.)
Guatemalamales: 151,294 (2003 est.)
Haitimales: 94,349 (2003 est.)
Hondurasmales: 74,895 (2003 est.)
Hong Kongmales: 47,477 (2003 est.)
Hungarymales: 64,305 (2003 est.)
Indiamales: 11,035,174 (2003 est.)
Indonesiamales: 2,213,727 (2003 est.)
Iranmales: 870,711 (2003 est.)
Iraqmales: 292,930 (2003 est.)
Irelandmales: 31,437 (2003 est.)
Israel males: 51,080 females: 53,496 (2003 est.)
Italymales: 291,529 (2003 est.)
Jamaicamales: 27,398 (2003 est.)
Japanmales: 725,281 (2003 est.)
Jordanmales: 58,840 (2003 est.)
Kazakhstanmales: 174,111 (2003 est.)
Korea, Northmales: 180,875 (2003 est.)
Korea, Southmales: 345,331 (2003 est.)
Kuwaitmales: 18,885 (2003 est.)
Kyrgyzstanmales: 54,445 (2003 est.)
Laosmales: 67,260 (2003 est.)
Latviamales: 19,477 (2003 est.)
Libyamales: 61,511 (2003 est.)
Lithuaniamales: 29,420 (2003 est.)
Luxembourgmales: 2,636 (2003 est.)
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic ofmales: 17,909 (2003 est.)
Madagascarmales: 163,864 (2003 est.)
Malaysiamales: 218,216 (2003 est.)
Mexicomales: 1,093,752 (2003 est.)
Moldovamales: 44,084 (2003 est.)
Mongoliamales: 32,529 (2003 est.)
Moroccomales: 351,671 (2003 est.)
Nepalmales: 303,222 (2003 est.)
Netherlandsmales: 94,034note: Netherlands has an all-volunteer, 74,100 force in 2001 (2003est.)
Netherlands Antillesmales: 1,643 (2003 est.)
New Zealandmales: 26,803 (2003 est.)
Nicaraguamales: 59,903 (2003 est.)
Nigermales: 119,367 (2003 est.)
Nigeriamales: 1,418,099 (2003 est.)
Norwaymales: 27,249 (2003 est.)
Omanmales: 29,485 (2003 est.)
Pakistanmales: 1,767,502 (2003 est.)
Paraguaymales: 61,706 (2003 est.)
Perumales: 281,717 (2003 est.)
Philippinesmales: 846,994 (2003 est.)
Polandmales: 343,500 (2003 est.)
Portugalmales: 67,816 (2003 est.)
Qatarmales: 7,192 (2003 est.)
Reunionmales: 6,795 (2003 est.)
Romaniamales: 157,840 (2003 est.)
Russiamales: 1.243 million (2003 est.)
Saudi Arabiamales: 253,685 (2003 est.)
Senegalmales: 116,688 (2003 est.)
Serbia and Montenegromales: 81,547 (2003 est.)
Slovakiamales: 44,287 (2003 est.)
Sloveniamales: 13,704 (2003 est.)
South Africamales: 471,578 (2003 est.)
Spainmales: 255,826 (2003 est.)
Sri Lankamales: 186,691 (2003 est.)
Sudanmales: 429,334 (2003 est.)
Swedenmales: 52,692 (2003 est.)
Switzerlandmales: 42,761 (2003 est.)
Syriamales: 210,941 (2003 est.)
Taiwanmales: 189,967 (2003 est.)
Tajikistanmales: 82,490 (2003 est.)
Thailandmales: 520,472 (2003 est.)
Tunisiamales: 106,513 (2003 est.)
Turkeymales: 679,882 (2003 est.)
Turkmenistanmales: 53,825 (2003 est.)
Ukrainemales: 389,499 (2003 est.)
United Arab Emiratesmales: 26,636 (2003 est.)
United Statesmales: 2,116,002 (2003 est.)
Uzbekistanmales: 310,915 (2003 est.)
Venezuelamales: 249,319 (2003 est.)
Vietnammales: 871,036 (2003 est.)
Yemenmales: 249,292 (2003 est.)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@2028 Background
AfghanistanAfghanistan's recent history is characterized by war andcivil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced towithdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces suppliedand trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fightingsubsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, givingrise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the Taliban.Backed by foreign sponsors, the Taliban developed as a politicalforce and eventually seized power. The Taliban were able to capturemost of the country, aside from Northern Alliance strongholdsprimarily in the northeast, until US and allied military action insupport of the opposition following the 11 September 2001 terroristattacks forced the group's downfall. In late 2001, major leadersfrom the Afghan opposition groups and diaspora met in Bonn, Germany,and agreed on a plan for the formulation of a new governmentstructure that resulted in the inauguration of Hamid KARZAI asChairman of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) on 22 December 2001.The AIA held a nationwide Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in June 2002,and KARZAI was elected President by secret ballot of theTransitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA). The TransitionalAuthority has an 18-month mandate to hold a nationwide Loya Jirga toadopt a constitution and a 24-month mandate to hold nationwideelections. In December 2002, the TISA marked the one-yearanniversary of the fall of the Taliban. In addition to occasionallyviolent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root outremaining terrorists and Taliban elements, the country suffers fromenormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread landmines.
AlbaniaBetween 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobicCommunist rule and established a multiparty democracy. Thetransition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried todeal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure,widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents.International observers judged legislative elections in 2001 to beacceptable and a step toward democratic development, but identifiedserious deficiencies that should be addressed through reforms in theAlbanian electoral code.
AlgeriaAfter a century of rule by France, Algeria becameindependent in 1962. The surprising first round success of thefundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in the December1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS,and postpone the subsequent elections. The fundamentalist responsehas resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with thesecular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed electionsfeaturing pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. TheFIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January2000 and many armed militants of other groups surrendered under anamnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation.Nevertheless, small numbers of armed militants persist inconfronting government forces and carrying out isolated attacks onvillages and other types of terrorist attacks. Other concernsinclude Berber unrest, large-scale unemployment, a shortage ofhousing, and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy.
American SamoaSettled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered"by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalriesin the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago.The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of easternislands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
AndorraFor 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under aunique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and theSpanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modifiedwith the titular heads of state retained, but the governmenttransformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated andimpoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperitysince World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants(legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with itslack of income taxes.
AngolaCivil war has been the norm in Angola since independence fromPortugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and theNational Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) providedfor the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the governmentand armed forces. A national unity government was installed in Aprilof 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, renderinghundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million livesmay have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century. Thedeath of insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequentcease-fire with UNITA may bode well for the country.
AnguillaColonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650,Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19thcentury, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants -was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with SaintKitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, twoyears after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; thisarrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becominga separate British dependency.
AntarcticaSpeculation over the existence of a "southern land" wasnot confirmed until the early 1820s when British and Americancommercial operators and British and Russian national expeditionsbegan exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas southof the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established thatAntarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20thcentury. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientificresearch on the continent. A number of countries have set upyear-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have madeterritorial claims, but no other country recognizes these claims. Inorder to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on thecontinent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither deniesnor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Antigua and BarbudaThe Siboney were the first to inhabit theislands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and CaribIndians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his secondvoyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French weresucceeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery,established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolishedin 1834. The islands became an independent state within the BritishCommonwealth of Nations in 1981.
Arctic OceanThe Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's fiveoceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, andthe recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (USand Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are twoimportant seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river,and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean.
ArgentinaFollowing independence from Spain in 1816, Argentinaexperienced periods of internal political conflict betweenconservatives and liberals and between civilian and militaryfactions. After World War II, a long period of Peronistauthoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments wasfollowed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracyreturned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscoredArgentina's progress in democratic consolidation.
ArmeniaArmenia prides itself on being the first nation to formallyadopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy,over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empiresincluding the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It wasincorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenianleaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with MuslimAzerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populatedregion, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow.Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; thestruggle escalated after both countries attained independence fromthe Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold,Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also asignificant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of bothsides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progresstoward a peaceful resolution.
ArubaDiscovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquiredby the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated bythree main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed byprosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. Thelast decades 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.
Ashmore and Cartier IslandsThese uninhabited islands came underAustralian authority in 1931; formal administration began two yearslater. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marinehabitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. CartierIsland, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.
Atlantic OceanThe Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of theworld's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than theIndian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal(Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait ofGibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US)are important strategic access waterways. The decision by theInternational Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 todelimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portionof the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south.
AustraliaAustralia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources torapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and tomake a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I andII. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion ofthe ozone 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.
AustriaOnce the center of power for the large Austro-HungarianEmpire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat inWorld War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 andsubsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria'sstatus remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955ended the 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.
AzerbaijanAzerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslimpopulation - regained its independence after the collapse of theSoviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yetto resolve its conflict with Armenia over the AzerbaijaniNagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijanhas lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugeesand internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict.Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth fromAzerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largelyunfulfilled.
Bahamas, TheArawak Indians inhabited the islands when ChristopherColumbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492.British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands becamea colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973,The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international bankingand investment management. Because of its geography, the country isa major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularlyshipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegalmigrants into the US.
BahrainBahrain'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.
Baker IslandThe US took possession of the island in 1857, and itsguano deposits were mined by US and British companies during thesecond half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt atcolonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby HowlandIsland - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned.Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the USDepartment of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middleof the west coast.
BangladeshBangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali EastPakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third ofthis extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainyseason, hampering economic development.
BarbadosThe island was uninhabited when first settled by theBritish in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established onthe island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economyremained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses productionthrough most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of socialand political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to completeindependence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism andmanufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
Bassas da IndiaThis atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefsand is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it wasplaced under the administration of a commissioner residing inReunion in 1968.
BelarusAfter seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR,Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closerpolitical and economic ties to Russia than any of the other formerSoviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-stateunion on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economicintegration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out theaccord, serious implementation has yet to take place.
BelgiumBelgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 andwas occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prosperedin the past half century as a modern, technologically advancedEuropean state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between theDutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speakingWalloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutionalamendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
BelizeTerritorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed theindependence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981.Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourismhas become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plaguedby high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drugtrade, and increased urban crime.
BeninPresent day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent WestAfrican kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory becamea French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960,as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments endedin 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and theestablishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles.A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later,free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO aspresident, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africafrom a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power byelections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities werealleged.
BermudaBermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked Englishcolonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape NorthAmerican winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourismcontinues to be important to the island's economy, althoughinternational business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda hasdeveloped into a highly successful offshore financial center. Areferendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.
BhutanIn 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu,under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange forceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was setup in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby theBritish agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs andBhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role wasassumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formalIndo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by theBritish, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, anddefined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Arefugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved;90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of theHigh Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assameseseparatists from India, who have established themselves in thesoutheast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-borderincursions.
BoliviaBolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR,broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent historyhas consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups.Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s,but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty,social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attractingforeign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolvingdisputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts,continuing the privatization program, and waging an anticorruptioncampaign.
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina's declaration ofsovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration ofindependence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after areferendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supportedby neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armedresistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines andjoining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994,Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions fromthree to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/CroatFederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, inDayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement thatbrought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the finalagreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The DaytonAgreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundariesand created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. Thisnational government was charged with conducting foreign, economic,and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of governmentcomprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/CroatFederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-ledRepublika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments werecharged with overseeing internal functions. In 1995-96, a NATO-ledinternational peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served inBosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of theagreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led StabilizationForce (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFORremains in place although troop levels were reduced to approximately12,000 by the close of 2002.
BotswanaFormerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswanaadopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades ofuninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, andsignificant capital investment have created one of the most dynamiceconomies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining,dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector dueto the country's conservation practices and extensive naturepreserves. Botswana has the world's highest known rate of HIV/AIDSinfection, but also one of Africa's most progressive andcomprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Bouvet IslandThis uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirelycovered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discoveredin 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named.No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupiedthe island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and theadjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on theisland.
BrazilFollowing three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazilbecame an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and mostpopulous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more thanhalf a century of military intervention in the governance of thecountry to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and developmentof the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large laborpool, Brazil is today South America's leading economic power and aregional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains apressing problem.
British Indian Ocean TerritoryEstablished as a territory of the UKin 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attainedindependence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of thesix main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. Thelargest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains ajoint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands areuninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in theislands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to theSeychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Courtruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excludedthem from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status ofDiego Garcia.
British Virgin IslandsFirst settled by the Dutch in 1648, theislands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closelytied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west;the US dollar is the legal currency.
BruneiThe Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15thand 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas ofnorthwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequentlyentered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royalsuccession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence wasachieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over sixcenturies. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gasfields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in thedeveloping world.
BulgariaThe Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with thelocal Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the firstBulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled withthe Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by theend of the 14th century the country was overrun by the OttomanTurks. Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878, but having foughton the losing side in both World Wars, it fell within the Sovietsphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946.Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its firstmultiparty election since World War II and began the contentiousprocess of moving toward political democracy and a market economywhile combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime.Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path towardeventual integration into NATO and the EU - with which it beganaccession negotiations in 2000.
Burkina FasoIndependence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerlyUpper Volta) in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s.Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resourcesresult in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens.Every year, several hundred thousand seasonal farm workers seekemployment in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana and are adversely affected byinstability in those regions.
BurmaBritain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886)and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administeredas a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate,self-governing colony; independence outside of the Commonwealth wasattained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to1988, first as military ruler, then as president, and later aspolitical kingmaker. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 thatresulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory,the ruling military junta refused to hand over power. Key oppositionleader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, under housearrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detentionfrom September 2000 to May 2002 and again in May 2003; hersupporters are routinely harassed or jailed.
BurundiBurundi's first democratically elected president wasassassinated in October 1993 after only four months in office. Sincethen, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, oftenintense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds ofthousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees inneighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure theirborders, intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo in 1998. More recently, many of these troops have beenredeployed back to Burundi to deal with periodic upsurges in rebelactivity. A new transitional government, inaugurated on 1 November2001, was to be the first step toward holding national elections inthree years. While the Government of Burundi signed a cease-fireagreement in December 2002 with three of Burundi's four Hutu rebelgroups, implementation of the agreement has been problematic and onerebel group refuses to sign on, clouding prospects for a sustainablepeace.
CambodiaFollowing a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rougeforces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of allcities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died fromexecution or enforced hardships. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drovethe Khmer Rouge into the countryside and touched off almost 20 yearsof fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore somesemblance of normalcy as did the rapid diminishment of the KhmerRouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed afternational elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability andthe surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces in 1998.
CameroonThe former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroonmerged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generallyenjoyed stability, which has permitted the development ofagriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry.Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remainsfirmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.
CanadaA land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canadabecame a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to theBritish crown. Economically and technologically the nation hasdeveloped in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south acrossan unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues tobe the relationship of the province of Quebec, with itsFrench-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder ofthe country.
Cape VerdeThe uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized bythe Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became atrading center for African slaves and later an important coaling andresupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Followingindependence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification withGuinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintaineduntil multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continuesto exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments.Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century causedsignificant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result,Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one.Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
Cayman IslandsThe Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by theBritish during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaicasince 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when theformer became independent.
Central African RepublicThe former French colony of Ubangi-Sharibecame the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. Afterthree tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments- civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade.In March 2003 a military coup deposed the civilian government ofPresident Ange-Felix PATASSE and has since established a newgovernment.
ChadChad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, enduredthree decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya beforea semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The governmenteventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-militarygroups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorableto Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multipartypresidential and National Assembly elections in 1996 and 1997,respectively. In 1998, a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad,which continued to escalate throughout 2000. A peace agreement,signed in January 2002 between the government and the rebels,provides for the demobilization of the rebels and theirreintegration into the political system. Despite movement towarddemocratic reform, power remains in the hands of a northern ethnicoligarchy.
ChileA three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 bya dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruleduntil a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Soundeconomic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship,led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure thecountry's commitment to democratic and representative government.
ChinaFor centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacingthe rest of the world in the arts and sciences. But in the 19th andearly 20th centuries, China was beset by civil unrest, majorfamines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World WarII, the Communists under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that,while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls overeveryday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping gradually introducedmarket-oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision-making.Output quadrupled by 2000. Political controls remain tight whileeconomic controls continue to be relaxed.
Christmas IslandNamed in 1643 for the day of its discovery, theisland was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888.Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereigntyto Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has beendeclared a national park.
Clipperton IslandThis isolated island was named for JohnCLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18thcentury. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897.Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which tookpossession in 1935.