@Cape Verde
Introduction Cape Verde
Background:The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by thePortuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde 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.
Geography Cape Verde
Location:Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, westof Senegal
Geographic coordinates:16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 4,033 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 4,033 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain:steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use: arable land: 9.68% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 89.82% (2001)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuringdust; volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues:soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted indeforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatenedseveral species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sandextraction; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near majornorth-south sea routes; important communications station; importantsea and air refueling site
People Cape Verde
Population:415,294 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 40% (male 83,835; female 82,318)15-64 years: 53.3% (male 106,846; female 114,312)65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,580; female 17,403) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 19 yearsmale: 18.2 yearsfemale: 19.9 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.73% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:26.13 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.72 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-12.07 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: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 49.14 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 43.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 54.39 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.14 yearsmale: 66.83 yearsfemale: 73.54 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.62 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.04% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:775 (2001)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:225 (as of 2001)
Nationality:noun: Cape Verdean(s)adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups:Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions:Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant(mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Languages:Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 76.6%male: 85.8%female: 69.2% (2003 est.)
Government Cape Verde
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verdeconventional short form: Cape Verdelocal short form: Cabo Verdelocal long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
Government type:republic
Capital:Praia
Administrative divisions:17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista,Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande,Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, SaoMiguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence:5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution:new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent amajor revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing thepowers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to createthe position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Legal system:derived from the legal system of Portugal
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1February 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NAFebruary 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assemblyand appointed by the presidentelection results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote -Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - theelection was won by only twelve votes
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats;members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December2005)election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%,ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders:African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose MariaPereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr.Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); DemocraticChristian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; DemocraticRenovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement forDemocracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for DemocraticConvergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Workand Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president]; SocialDemocratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITOconsulate(s) general: BostonFAX: [1] (202) 965-1207telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSONembassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praiamailing address: C. P. 201, Praiatelephone: [238] 61 56 16, 61 56 17FAX: [238] 61 13 55
Flag description:three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white(with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue;a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoistend of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
Economy Cape Verde
Economy - overview:This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base,including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-termdrought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport,tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Althoughnearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share ofagriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing accountedfor 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential,mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annuallyruns a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittancesfrom emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%.Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector andattracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospectsfor 2004 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism,remittances, and the momentum of the government's developmentprogram.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $600 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 16.5% services: 62.8% (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):16.5% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:30% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (2003)
Labor force:NA (1980)
Unemployment rate:21% (2000 est.)
Budget:revenues: $252.9 millionexpenditures: $269.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2003)
Agriculture - products:bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts;fish
Industries:food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, saltmining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:42.03 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:39.08 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$-106.3 million (2003)
Exports:$50.68 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Exports - partners:Portugal 31%, France 27.6%, UK 17.2%, US 17.2% (2003)
Imports:$315.5 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:Portugal 46.7%, Netherlands 9.1%, Belgium 3.8% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$88.02 million (2003)
Debt - external:$325 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$136 million (1999)
Currency:Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Currency code:CVE
Exchange rates:Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 97.703 (2003), 117.168(2002), 123.228 (2001), 115.877 (2000), 102.7 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Cape Verde
Telephones - main lines in use:71,700 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:53,300 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: effective system, being improveddomestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analogand digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarinefiber-optic cable system which is scheduled for completion in 2003international: country code - 238; 2 coaxial submarine cables; HFradiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station- 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 15 (and 17 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002)
Radios:100,000 (2002 est.)
Television broadcast stations:1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002)
Televisions:15,000 (2002 est.)
Internet country code:.cv
Internet hosts:118 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:20,400 (2003)
Transportation Cape Verde
Highways: total: 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWTforeign-owned: United Kingdom 1 (2004 est.)by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 1
Airports: 7 note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Cape Verde
Military branches:Army, Coast Guard
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 98,394 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 55,477 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$12.3 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (2003)
Transnational Issues Cape Verde
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from LatinAmerica and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of awell-developed financial system limits the country's utility as amoney-laundering center
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Cayman Islands
Introduction Cayman Islands
Background:The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the Britishduring the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the formerbecame independent.
Geography Cayman Islands
Location:Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of theway from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates:19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 262 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 262 sq km
Area - comparative:1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:160 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool,relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America
People Cayman Islands
Population:43,103 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21.4% (male 4,608; female 4,616)15-64 years: 70.6% (male 14,858; female 15,593)65 years and over: 8% (male 1,607; female 1,821) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 36.5 yearsmale: 36.2 yearsfemale: 36.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.71% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:13.11 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:4.76 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:18.75 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2004est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 9.64 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.81 yearsmale: 77.21 yearsfemale: 82.45 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: Caymanian(s)adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups:mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnicgroups 20%
Religions:United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist,Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
Languages:English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 98%male: 98%female: 98% (1970 est.)
Government Cayman Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:British crown colony
Capital:George Town
Administrative divisions:8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, StakeBay, West End, Western
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Constitution:1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system:British common law and local statutes
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor isappointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by thegovernorhead of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NADecember 2001)cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed membersfrom the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; membersserve four-year terms)elections: last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held 17 November2004)election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA
Judicial branch:Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) wereformed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic Party or UDP[leader McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [leaderKurt TIBBETTS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO(associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag;the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield withthree stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at thebottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Economy Cayman Islands
Economy - overview:With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshorefinancial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in theCayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trustcompanies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange wasopened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70%of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry isaimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from NorthAmerica. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumergoods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highestoutputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in theworld.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.27 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $35,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 1.4%industry: 3.2%services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% (2002)
Labor force:19,820 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995)
Unemployment rate:4.1% (1997)
Budget:revenues: $265.2 millionexpenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA(1997)
Agriculture - products:vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming
Industries:tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, constructionmaterials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:381.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:355.2 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$1.2 million (1999)
Exports - commodities:turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Exports - partners:mostly US
Imports:$457.4 million (1999)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
Debt - external:$70 million (1996)
Economic aid - recipient:NA (1999)
Currency:Caymanian dollar (KYD)
Currency code:KYD
Exchange rates:Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Cayman Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:38,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:17,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 1-345; 1 submarine coaxial cable;satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:36,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 with cable system
Televisions:7,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ky
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Cayman Islands
Highways: total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2000)
Ports and harbors:Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:total: 137 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,827,837 GRT/4,555,974 DWTregistered in other countries: 2 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Germany 9, Greece 25, Hong Kong 3, Italy 14, Norway4, Singapore 1, Spain 11, Sweden 13, Switzerland 1, United Kingdom18, United States 43by type: bulk 27, cargo 7, chemical tanker 36, container 2,liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 33, rollon/roll off 4, short-sea/passenger 1, specialized tanker 1
Airports:3 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Cayman Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Cayman Islands
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Central African Republic
Introduction Central African Republic
Background:The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central AfricanRepublic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decadesof misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule wasestablished in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-FelixPATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General FrancoisBOZIZE, who has since established a transitional government. Thoughthe government has the tacit support of civil society groups and themain parties, a wide field of affiliated and independent candidateswill contest the municipal, legislative, and presidential electionsscheduled for February 2005. The government still does not fullycontrol the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist.
Geography Central African Republic
Location:Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 622,984 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 622,984 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,203 kmborder countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, DemocraticRepublic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan1,165 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain:vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills innortheast and southwest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Oubangui River 335 mhighest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Natural resources:diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Land use:arable land: 3.1%permanent crops: 0.14%other: 96.76% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods arecommon
Environment - current issues:tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country'sreputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges;desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
People Central African Republic
Population:3,742,482note: 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: 42.8% (male 806,506; female 795,639)15-64 years: 53.8% (male 990,522; female 1,021,491)65 years and over: 3.4% (male 53,860; female 74,464) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 18 yearsmale: 17.7 yearsfemale: 18.4 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.56% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:35.55 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:19.99 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: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 92.15 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 84.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 99.09 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 41.36 yearsmale: 39.7 yearsfemale: 43.08 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.59 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:13.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:260,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:23,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:typhoid fever, malariaoverall degree of risk: very high (2004)
Nationality:noun: Central African(s)adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups:Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%,Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Religions:indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim15%note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence theChristian majority
Languages:French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language),tribal languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 51%male: 63.3%female: 39.9% (2003 est.)
Government Central African Republic
Country name:conventional long form: Central African Republicconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republique Centrafricaineformer: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empireabbreviation: CARlocal short form: none
Government type:republic
Capital:Bangui
Administrative divisions:14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economicprefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefectureeconomique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**,Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei,Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham,Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Independence:13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Constitution:passed by referendum 5 December 2004
Legal system:based on French law
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003coup) and Vice President Abel GOUMA (since 12 December 2003)elections: NA; municipal, legislative and presidential electionsscheduled for December 2004 or January 2005; prime ministerappointed by the presidenthead of government: Prime Minister Celestin GAOMBALET (since 12December 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats;members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note -there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998election)elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to beheld NA 2004)election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%,independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judgesappointed by the president, 3 by the president of the NationalAssembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts;Inferior Courts
Political parties and leaders:Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS];Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; CivicForum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum forModernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD[Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development orMDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the CentralAfrican People or MLPC [the party of deposed president, Ange-FelixPATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA];People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY];National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social DemocraticParty or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOYchancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: The embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff
Flag description:four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellowwith a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointedstar on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy Central African Republic
Economy - overview:Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains thebackbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), withmore than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. Theagricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted forabout 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%.Important constraints to economic development include the CAR'slandlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largelyunskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomicpolicies. Factional fighting between the government and itsopponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP likelyto contract in 2004. Distribution of income is extraordinarilyunequal. Grants from France and the international community can onlypartially meet humanitarian needs.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $4.183 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-7% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 55%industry: 20%services: 25% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA (1993)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (1993)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:61.3 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.6% (2001 est.)
Labor force:NA (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: NAexpenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
Agriculture - products:cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn,bananas; timber
Industries:diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly ofbicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate:3% (2002)
Electricity - production:106 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:98.63 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$172 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Exports - partners:Belgium 41.8%, Italy 10.7%, Spain 9.8%, France 7.4%, Indonesia 6.6%(2003)
Imports:$136 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electricalequipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:France 27%, Cameroon 9.2%, US 5.3% (2003)
Debt - external:$881.4 million (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France(2000 est.)
Currency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsibleauthority is the Bank of the Central African States
Currency code:XAF
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 581.2(2003), 696.988 (2002), 733.039 (2001), 711.976 (2000), 615.699(1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Central African Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:9,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:13,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: fair systemdomestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay andlow-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communicationinternational: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:283,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (2001)
Televisions:18,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.cf
Internet hosts:6 (2002)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:5,000 (2002)
Transportation Central African Republic
Highways: total: 23,810 km paved: 643 km unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2004)
Ports and harbors:Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga
Airports:50 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)
Military Central African Republic
Military branches:Central African Armed Forces (FACA): Republican Guard, GroundForces, Naval Forces, Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 878,980 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 460,469 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$14.5 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.1% (2003)
Transnational Issues Central African Republic
Disputes - international:internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlapinto Chad and CAR, leaving refugees and rebel groups in bothcountries; Sudan has pledged to work with CAR to stem violentskirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoralpopulations along the border
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 36,479 (Sudan), 1,864 (Chad), 6,484(Democratic Republic of the Congo)IDPs: 200,000 (unrest following coup in 2003) (2004)
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Chad
Introduction Chad
Background:Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured threedecades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before asemblance 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 elections in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, a new rebellionbroke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite twopeace agreements signed in 2002 and 2003 between the government andthe rebels. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remainsin the hands of a northern ethnic oligarchy.
Geography Chad
Location:Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates:15 00 N, 19 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1.284 million sq kmwater: 24,800 sq kmland: 1,259,200 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than three times the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 5,968 kmborder countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain:broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains innorthwest, lowlands in south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 mhighest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
Natural resources:petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Land use: arable land: 2.86% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.12% (2001)
Irrigated land:200 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts;locust plagues
Environment - current issues:inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal inrural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note:landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in theSahel
People Chad
Population:9,538,544 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,297,490; female 2,269,801)15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,245,586; female 2,459,796)65 years and over: 2.8% (male 107,594; female 158,277) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 16 yearsmale: 15.3 yearsfemale: 16.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:3% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:46.5 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:16.38 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 94.78 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 85.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 104.01 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 48.24 yearsmale: 46.91 yearsfemale: 49.63 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.38 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:4.8% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:200,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:18,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:typhoid fever, malaria, schistosomiasisoverall degree of risk: very high (2004)
Nationality:noun: Chadian(s)adjective: Chadian
Ethnic groups:200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane(Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi,Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom areMuslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang,Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000French citizens live in Chad
Religions:Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%
Languages:French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than120 different languages and dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabictotal population: 47.5%male: 56%female: 39.3% (2003 est.)
Government Chad
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Chadconventional short form: Chadlocal long form: Republique du Tchadlocal short form: Tchad
Government type:republic
Capital:N'Djamena
Administrative divisions:14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha,Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac,Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari,Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjilenote: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrativestructure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department),and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, BathaOriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera,Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, LogoneOriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam,N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, TandjileOccidental, Tibesti
Independence:11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
Constitution:passed by referendum 31 March 1996
Legal system:based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December1990)head of government: Prime Minister Pascal YOADIMNADJI (since 3February 2005)cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelection results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percentof vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, SalehKEBZABO 7%note: government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URDelections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-yearterm; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, thetwo candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a secondround of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006);prime minister appointed by the president
Legislative branch:bicameral according to constitution, consists of a NationalAssembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified,members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewableevery two years)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, others 11elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to beheld in NA April 2006)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders:Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarlejy YORONGAR];National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Mamadou BISSO];National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO];Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman](originally in opposition but now the party in power and the partyof the president); Rally for Democracy and Progress or RPD [leaderNA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal AbdelkaderKAMOUGUE]; Viva Rally for Development and Progress or Viva RNDP[Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Hassaballah Abdelhadi Ahmat SOUBIANEchancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher E. GOLDTHWAIT embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54