Economy Belgium
Economy - overview:This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on itscentral geographic location, highly developed transport network, anddiversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentratedmainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few naturalresources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of rawmaterials and export a large volume of manufactures, making itseconomy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughlythree-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debtis about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancingits budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, begancirculating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown.Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU andthe US.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $299.1 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.1% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $29,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.9% industry: 26.3% services: 71.8% (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):19.7% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:4% (1989 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:28.7 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.6% (2003 est.)
Labor force:4.73 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:8.1% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $151.6 billionexpenditures: $151.1 billion, including capital expenditures of$1.56 billion (2003)
Public debt:102% of GDP (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal,pork, milk
Industries:engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processedfood and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass,petroleum
Industrial production growth rate:-1.5% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:74.28 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:78.18 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:6.712 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:15.82 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:450,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$10.69 billion (2003)
Exports:$182.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metalproducts, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:Germany 19.5%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 11.7%, UK 9%, US 6.7%,Italy 5.4% (2003)
Imports:$173 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals,foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners:Germany 17.7%, Netherlands 16.5%, France 13.2%, UK 7.5%, US 5.9%,Ireland 5.7% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$14.45 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)
Currency:euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced theeuro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions ofmember 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 - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001),1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Belgium
Telephones - main lines in use:5,120,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:8,135,500 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, andcompletely automated domestic and international telephone andtelegraph facilitiesdomestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cablenetwork; limited microwave radio relay networkinternational: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satelliteearth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations:FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:8.075 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:4.72 million (1997)
Internet country code:.be
Internet hosts:166,799 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):61 (2000)
Internet users:3.4 million (2002)
Transportation Belgium
Railways: total: 3,518 km standard gauge: 3,518 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2003)
Highways:total: 148,216 kmpaved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways)unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)
Waterways:2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)
Pipelines:gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt,Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Merchant marine:total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWTforeign-owned: Denmark 6, Finland 1, France 2, Netherlands 3registered in other countries: 69 (2004 est.)by type: bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 11, container 6, liquefiedgas 18, petroleum tanker 6
Airports:42 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2003 est.)
Military Belgium
Military branches:Army, Naval, and Air Operations Commands
Military manpower - military age and obligation:16 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,509,538 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,068,221 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 61,270 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$3.999 billion (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.3% (2003)
Transnational Issues Belgium
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-boundecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaineprocessors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, andmarijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening oflegislation, the country remains vulnerable to money launderingrelated to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol and tobacco
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Belize
Introduction Belize
Background:Territorial 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.
Geography Belize
Location:Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala andMexico
Geographic coordinates:17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 22,966 sq kmwater: 160 sq kmland: 22,806 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline:386 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - fromthe mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize'sterritorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework forthe negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differenceswith Guatemalaexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dryseason (February to May)
Terrain:flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 1.71% other: 95.44% (2001)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastalflooding (especially in south)
Environment - current issues:deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents,agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:only country in Central America without a coastline on the NorthPacific Ocean
People Belize
Population:272,945 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 40.6% (male 56,530; female 54,322)15-64 years: 55.8% (male 77,118; female 75,309)65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,674; female 4,992) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 19.1 yearsmale: 19 yearsfemale: 19.3 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.39% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:29.89 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 26.37 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 22.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 29.75 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 67.43 yearsmale: 65.11 yearsfemale: 69.86 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.77 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:2.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,600 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean
Ethnic groups:mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Religions:Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%,Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)
Languages:English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 94.1%male: 94.1%female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
Government Belize
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Belmopan
Administrative divisions:6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence:21 September 1981 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution:21 September 1981
Legal system:English law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17November 1993)head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September1998)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: 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; primeminister recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 membersappointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the primeminister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, andone each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches andEvangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerceand Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the NationalTrade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee;members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popularvote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (nextto be held NA March 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -PUP 21, UDP 8
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governorgeneral on the advice of the prime minister)
Political parties and leaders:People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Partyor UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [AdeleCATZIM]
International organization participation:ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMANconsulate(s) general: Los AngelesFAX: [1] (202) 332-6888telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMANembassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize Citymailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize Citytelephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163FAX: [501] 2-30802
Flag description:blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges;centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat ofarms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahoganytree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in theShade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
Economy Belize
Economy - overview:In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourismindustry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by canesugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. Thegovernment's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated inSeptember 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000,4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be thesizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objectiveremains the reduction of poverty with the help of internationaldonors.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.7% industry: 24.5% services: 52.8% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):33% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:33% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.6% (2003 est.)
Labor force:90,000note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel(2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:9.1% (2002)
Budget:revenues: $222 millionexpenditures: $300 million, including capital expenditures of $70million (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments
Industries:garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Industrial production growth rate:4.6% (1999)
Electricity - production:199.5 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:185.5 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$-142 million (2003)
Exports:$207.8 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners:US 39.1%, UK 25%, France 4% (2003)
Imports:$500.6 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels,chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Imports - partners:US 41.9%, Mexico 12.4%, UK 5.9%, Cuba 5.5% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$84.7 million (2003)
Debt - external:$475 million (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency:Belizean dollar (BZD)
Currency code:BZD
Exchange rates:Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2(2000), 2 (1999)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Belize
Telephones - main lines in use:33,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:60,400 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: above-average systemdomestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relayinternational: country code - 501; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:133,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1997)
Televisions:41,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.bz
Internet hosts:2,613 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:30,000 (2002)
Transportation Belize
Highways: total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2004)
Ports and harbors:Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Merchant marine:total: 336 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,015,270 GRT/1,336,890 DWTregistered in other countries: 25 (2004 est.)by type: bulk 13, cargo 240, chemical tanker 11, combination bulk 4,combination ore/oil 1, container 10, multi-functional large loadcarrier 1, petroleum tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/rolloff 8, short-sea/passenger 1, specialized tanker 2foreign-owned: Bahamas 2, Belgium 1, British Virgin Islands 11,Cambodia 6, China 67, Cuba 2, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Estonia 8,Germany 5, Greece 2, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 27, Indonesia4, Italy 2, Japan 5, Jordan 1, South Korea 13, Latvia 5, Liberia 2,Malaysia 4, Malta 1, Isle of Man 1, Marshall Islands 16, Mexico 1,Netherlands 1, Nigeria 2, Panama 15, Philippines 4, Portugal 1,Russia 9, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 9, Spain 6,Switzerland 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 3, Tunisia 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 3,United Kingdom 1, United States 3, Yemen 1
Airports:43 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 382,438 to 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 11under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)
Military Belize
Military branches:Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, andVolunteer Guard)
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 68,518 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 40,619 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 3,122 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$18 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2% (2003)
Transnational Issues Belize
Disputes - international:Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border region; anOAS brokered Differendum in 2002 created a small adjustment to theland boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, ajoint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantialUS-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to popularreferendum leaving Guatemala to continue to claim the southern halfof Belize
Illicit drugs:major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producerof cannabis for the international drug trade; money-launderingactivity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Benin
Introduction Benin
Background:Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West Africankingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a FrenchColony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as theRepublic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishmentof a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move torepresentative government began in 1989. Two years later, freeelections 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.
Geography Benin
Location:Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria andTogo
Geographic coordinates:9 30 N, 2 15 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 112,620 sq kmwater: 2,000 sq kmland: 110,620 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:total: 1,989 kmborder countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,Togo 644 km
Coastline:121 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain:mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Land use: arable land: 18.08% permanent crops: 2.4% other: 79.52% (2001)
Irrigated land:120 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December toMarch
Environment - current issues:inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlifepopulations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no naturalharbors, river mouths, or islands
People Benin
Population:7,250,033note: 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 (July2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46.8% (male 1,711,075; female 1,679,439)15-64 years: 51% (male 1,802,990; female 1,890,915)65 years and over: 2.3% (male 68,890; female 96,724) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 16.5 yearsmale: 16 yearsfemale: 16.9 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.89% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:42.57 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:13.69 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 85.88 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 80.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 90.89 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 50.81 yearsmale: 50.25 yearsfemale: 51.39 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.95 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:68,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:5,800 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:typhoid fever, malaria, yellow feveroverall degree of risk: very high (2004)
Nationality:noun: Beninese (singular and plural)adjective: Beninese
Ethnic groups:African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja,Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Religions:indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Languages:French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars insouth), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 40.9%male: 56.2%female: 26.5% (2000)
Government Benin
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey local long form: Republique du Benin
Government type:republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-LeninismDecember 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transitionto multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Capital:Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat ofgovernment
Administrative divisions:12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines,Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Independence:1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:National Day, 1 August (1960)
Constitution:December 1990
Legal system:based on French civil law and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-roundpresidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%,Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI(National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister ofState) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO andHOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU torun against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termeda "friendly match"election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent ofvote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 othersmall parties) 31elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court orCour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders:African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; AfricanMovement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN];Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU];Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; DemocraticRenewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal andDevelopment or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progressand Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA];Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other smallparties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; TheStar Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow'sBenin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC,NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a verticalgreen band on the hoist side
Economy Benin
Economy - overview:The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent onsubsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past sixyears, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase.Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order toraise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreigninvestment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate thedevelopment of new food processing systems and agriculturalproducts, and encourage new information and communicationtechnology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue intelecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite ofinitial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateralcreditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing forspeeded-up structural reforms.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $7.742 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.5% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36.4% industry: 14.5% services: 49.1% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.3% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:37% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force:NA (1996)
Unemployment rate:NA
Budget:revenues: $698.9 millionexpenditures: $613.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2003)
Agriculture - products:cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts,livestock (2001)
Industries:textiles, food processing, chemical production, constructionmaterials (2001)
Industrial production growth rate:8.3% (2001 est.)
Electricity - production:274.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:631.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:376 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:4.105 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - proved reserves:608.8 million cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-112 million (2003)
Exports:$485 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Exports - partners:China 21.1%, India 18%, Thailand 6.8%, Ghana 5.8%, Niger 4.4%,Indonesia 4.1% (2003)
Imports:$726 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners:China 29.5%, France 14.9%, UK 4.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.7%, Thailand4.6% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$636 million (2003)
Debt - external:$1.6 billion (2000)
Economic aid - recipient:$342.6 million (2000)
Currency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsibleauthority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Currency code:XOF
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 581.2(2003), 696.988 (2002), 733.039 (2001), 711.976 (2000), 615.699(1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Benin
Telephones - main lines in use:66,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:236,200 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, andcellular connectionsinternational: country code - 229; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)
Radios:660,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:1 (2001)
Televisions:66,000 (2000)
Internet country code:.bj
Internet hosts:879 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):4 (2002)
Internet users:70,000 (2003)
Transportation Benin
Railways: total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)
Highways:total: 6,787 kmpaved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2004)
Ports and harbors:Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Merchant marine:none
Airports:5 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Military Benin
Military branches:Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,638,010females age 15-49: 1,647,850 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 835,561females age 15-49: 835,633 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 77,552females: 81,841 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$98.3 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.7% (2003)
Transnational Issues Benin
Disputes - international:two villages remain in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso;accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of Benin-Nigerboundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, andICJ ad hoc judges have been selected to rule on disputed Niger andMekrou River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are indispute with Nigeria; a joint boundary commission continues toresurvey the boundary with Togo to verify Benin's claim that Togomoved boundary stones
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigeriantrafficking organizations and most commonly destined for WesternEurope and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorlyregulated financial infrastructure
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Bermuda
Introduction Bermuda
Background:Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonistsheaded for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North Americanwinters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to beimportant to the island's economy, although international businesshas overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into ahighly successful offshore financial center. A referendum onindependence was soundly defeated in 1995.
Geography Bermuda
Location:North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, eastof South Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates:32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references:North America
Area:total: 53.3 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 53.3 sq km
Area - comparative:about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:103 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain:low hills separated by fertile depressions
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hurricanes (June to November)
Environment - current issues:asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space;sustainable development
Geography - note:consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall,but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by USGovernment from 1941 to 1995
People Bermuda
Population:64,935 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.1% (male 6,192; female 6,186)15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,268; female 22,703)65 years and over: 11.7% (male 3,295; female 4,291) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 39.2 yearsmale: 38.3 yearsfemale: 40.1 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.68% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:11.83 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:7.55 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:2.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 8.79 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 10.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.6 yearsmale: 75.54 yearsfemale: 79.7 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.9 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic groups:black 58%, white 36%, other 6%
Religions:non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%,other 19%
Languages:English (official), Portuguese
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98%male: 98%female: 99% (1970 est.)
Government Bermuda
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:parliamentary British overseas territory with internalself-government
Capital:Hamilton
Administrative divisions:9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's,Southampton, Warwick
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution:8 June 1968, amended 1989 and 2003
Legal system:English law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002)head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003); DeputyPremier Ewart BROWNcabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governorelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed premier by the governor
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member bodyappointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and theHouse of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote toserve up to five-year terms)elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be heldNA July 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%;seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders:Gombey Liberation Party or GLP [Gavin Sundjata SMITH]; NationalLiberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party orPLP [William Alexander SCOTT]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [GrantGIBBONS];
Political pressure groups and leaders:Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Unionor BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [EdBALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
International organization participation:Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCO,Egmont Group, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Deputy Chief of Mission Antoinette BOECKER consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233
Flag description:red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lionholding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship SeaVenture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy Bermuda
Economy - overview:Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world,equal to that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providingfinancial services for international business and luxury facilitiesfor tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had bothpositive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positiveside, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on theisland, contributing to the expansion of an already robustinternational business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda'stourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from theUS - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to travel.Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-03. Most capital equipment andfood must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small,although construction continues to be important; the average cost ofa house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited,only 6% of the land being arable.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $2.33 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $36,000 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:19% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (mid-2003 est.)
Labor force:37,470 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 22%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, services 20% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:5% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $671.1 millionexpenditures: $594.6 million, including capital expenditures of $55million (FY03/04)
Agriculture - products:bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Industries:tourism, international business, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:643.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:598.6 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$879 million (2002)
Exports - commodities:reexports of pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners:France 62%, Norway 13.8%, UK 7.5% (2003)
Imports:$5.523 billion (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,chemicals, food and live animals
Imports - partners:Kazakhstan 46.7%, France 32.5%, US 8.5% (2003)
Debt - external:$160 million (FY99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency:Bermudian dollar (BMD)