Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002)
Televisions:1,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.fk
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:NA; however one-half of all households are reported to haveinternet access (2002)
Transportation Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Highways: total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2002)
Ports and harbors:Stanleynote: the primary port is located in Stanley Harbour and knownlocally as FIPASS (Falkland Interim Port and Storage System); thefacility consists of seven permanently moored barges providing 300meters of berthing space; it was installed by the military after1982 and handed over to the Falkland Islands Government in 1988
Airports:5 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 3under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Military Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches:no regular military forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international:claimed by Argentina whose forces briefly occupied it in 1982, butnow declares it will no longer seek settlement by force; UKcontinues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Faroe Islands
Introduction Faroe Islands
Background:The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended fromViking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands havebeen connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A highdegree of self-government was attained in 1948.
Geography Faroe Islands
Location:Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland toNorway
Geographic coordinates:62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 1,399 sq kmwater: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)land: 1,399 sq km
Area - comparative:eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,117 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median lineexclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use: arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2001)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, anda few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sealanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limitshabitation to small coastal lowlands
People Faroe Islands
Population:46,662 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,056; female 5,041)15-64 years: 64.6% (male 15,975; female 14,187)65 years and over: 13.7% (male 2,877; female 3,526) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 35.1 yearsmale: 34.6 yearsfemale: 35.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.66% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:13.89 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:1.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.05 yearsmale: 75.6 yearsfemale: 82.51 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.22 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: Faroese (singular and plural)adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:Scandinavian
Religions:Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA note: probably the same as Denmark proper
Government Faroe Islands
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Faroe Islandslocal short form: Foroyarlocal long form: none
Dependency status:part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:NA
Capital:Torshavn
Administrative divisions:none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark); there are no first-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare 49 municipalities
Independence:none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:Olaifest, 29 July
Constitution:5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:Danish
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chiefadministrative officer (since 1 November 2001)election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percentof parliamentary vote - NA%note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Partyelections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3February 2004)cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members areelected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the sevenconstituencies to serve four-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%,Social Democrats 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats by party -Union Party 7, Social Democrats 7, Republican Party 8, People'sParty 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on20 November 2001 (next to be held 8 February 2005); results -percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1,Union Party 1elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later thanJanuary 2008)
Judicial branch:none
Political parties and leaders:Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Helena Dam aNEYSTABO]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party[Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; UnionParty [Lisbeth PETERSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges ofthe flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoistside in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostlyas a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable exportprices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of laborshortages in several sectors. The positive economic development hashelped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budgetsurpluses, which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, mostof it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishingmakes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the presentfishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level offishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area givehope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which mayeventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thuslessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by asubstantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroesehave a standard of living not far below the Danes and otherScandinavians.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:10% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $22,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 27%industry: 11%services: 62% (1999)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.1% (1999)
Labor force:24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation: fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%
Unemployment rate:1% (October 2000)
Budget:revenues: $488 millionexpenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21million (1999)
Agriculture - products:milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:8% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production:160.4 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:149.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:4,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$408 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners:Denmark 36.7%, UK 32.1%, Netherlands 6.1%, Nigeria 5.6%, Norway5.4% (2003)
Imports:$466 million c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, rawmaterials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999)
Imports - partners:Denmark 52.7%, Norway 22.5%, Iceland 4.7%, Germany 4.2%, UK 4%(2003)
Debt - external:$64 million (1999)
Economic aid - recipient:$135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1998)
Currency:Danish krone (DKK)
Currency code:DKK
Exchange rates:Danish kroner per US dollar - 6.5877 (2003), 7.89 (2002), 8.323(2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:23,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:30,700 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: good international communications; gooddomestic facilitiesdomestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog)and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installedinternational: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands,linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-opticsubmarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:26,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)
Televisions:15,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.fo
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:25,000 (2002)
Transportation Faroe Islands
Highways: total: 463 km paved: 454 km unpaved: 9 km (1999)
Ports and harbors:Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur
Merchant marine:total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 24,051 GRT/11,998 DWTby type: cargo 3, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off1, short-sea/passenger 1registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Denmark 2, Norway 1, United Kingdom 1
Airports:1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Faroe Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; Denmarkdispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands fisheries median lineboundary of 200 nm; Denmark disputes with Iceland, the UK, andIreland the Faroe Islands claim extending its continental shelfboundary beyond 200 nm
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Fiji
Introduction Fiji
Background:Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as aBritish colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two militarycoups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived asdominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborersbrought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led toheavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economicdifficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable.Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led byan Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged periodof political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave amandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE.
Geography Fiji
Location:Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirdsof the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 18,270 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 18,270 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,129 km
Maritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselinescontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;rectilinear shelf claim addedexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2001)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber83, Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited
People Fiji
Population:880,874 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 31.7% (male 142,412; female 136,754)15-64 years: 64.3% (male 283,690; female 283,027)65 years and over: 4% (male 16,047; female 18,944) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 24 yearsmale: 23.6 yearsfemale: 24.4 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.41% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:22.91 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-3.14 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 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 12.99 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 14.36 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.2 yearsmale: 66.74 yearsfemale: 71.79 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.78 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:600 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Fijian(s)adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, andother 5% (1998 est.)
Religions:Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim8%, other 2%note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there isa Muslim minority (1986)
Languages:English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.7%male: 95.5%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Fiji
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islandsconventional short form: Fiji
Government type:republicnote: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formallydeclared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987
Capital:Suva (Viti Levu)
Administrative divisions:4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,Western
Independence:10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:promulgated on 25 July 1990 and amended on 25 July 1997 to allownonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multipartygovernment mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - theMay 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution andintroduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the firsttime at the national level
Legal system:based on British system
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18July 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10September 2000)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - thereis also a Presidential Council that advises the president on mattersof national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs, which consistsof the highest ranking members of the traditional chief systemelections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for afive-year term; prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected presidentby the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 appointedby the President on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, nineappointed by the president, and one appointed by the council ofRotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved forethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved forother ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotumaconstituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats;members serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1September, 19 September 2001 (next to be held not later thanSeptember 2006)election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - FLP 26.5%, SDL 27.5%, NFP 1.2%, MV 4.2%, NLUP 1.3%, UGP .3%,independents 1.4%; seats by party - FLP 27, SDL 32, MV 6, NFP 1,NLUP 2, UGP 1, independents 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court ofAppeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:Bai Kei Viti Party or BKV [Ratu Tevita MOMOEDONU]; ConservativeAlliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or MV [Ratu Rakuita VAKALALABURE];Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji DemocraticParty or FDP [Felipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian DemocratAlliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party orFAP [Adi Kuini SPEED], Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarilyFijian) [Felipe BOLE], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [TupeniBABA]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDRHRY]; General VotersParty or GVP [leader NA] (became part of United General Party);Girmit Heritage Party or GHP [leader NA]; Justice and Freedom Partyor AIM [leader NA]; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR [leader NA];National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE];Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party ofNational Unity or PANU [Meli BOGILEKA]; Party of the Truth or POTT[leader NA]; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua orSDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis MickBEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Mr. Paula NAVUNISARAVI (Charge D'Affaires adInterim)FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador David L. LYONembassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suvamailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suvatelephone: [679] 331-4466FAX: [679] 330-0081
Flag description:light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; theshield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by thecross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,bananas, and a white dove
Economy Fiji
Economy - overview:Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one ofthe most developed of the Pacific island economies, though stillwith a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing touristindustry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the majorsources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third ofindustrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment,uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability tomanage its budget. Yet short-run economic prospects are good,provided tensions do not again erupt between indigenous Fijians andIndo-Fijians.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $5.012 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.8% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $5,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.6% industry: 22.4% services: 61% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:25.5% (1990-91)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.6% (2002 est.)
Labor force:137,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.6% (1999)
Budget:revenues: $427.9 millionexpenditures: $531.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes,bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Industries:tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, smallcottage industries
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:520.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:483.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$609 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Exports - partners:US 23.7%, Australia 18.4%, UK 13.6%, Samoa 6%, Japan 4.8% (2003)
Imports:$835 million c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleumproducts, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:Australia 35.1%, Singapore 19.2%, New Zealand 17.2%, Japan 4.9%(2003)
Debt - external:$188.1 million (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$40.3 million (1995)
Currency:Fijian dollar (FJD)
Currency code:FJD
Exchange rates:Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.8958 (2003), 2.1869 (2002), 2.2766(2001), 2.1286 (2000), 1.9696 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Fiji
Telephones - main lines in use:102,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:109,900 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communicationscenterdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 679; access to important cable linksbetween US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satelliteearth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:541,476 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:88,110 (1999)
Internet country code:.fj
Internet hosts:493 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:55,000 (2003)
Transportation Fiji
Railways:total: 597 kmnarrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gaugenote: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; usedto haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2003)
Highways:total: 3,440 kmpaved: 1,692 kmunpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:203 kmnote: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges(2004)
Ports and harbors:Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda
Merchant marine:total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,372 GRT/7,453 DWTforeign-owned: Australia 1, Singapore 1 (2004 est.)by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1
Airports:28 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)
Military Fiji
Military branches:Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Division
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 239,221 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 131,349 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 9,302 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$34 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.2% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Fiji
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Finland
Introduction Finland
Background:Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russiaafter 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During WorldWar II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resistinvasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory.In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkabletransformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modernindustrial economy; per capita income is now on par with WesternEurope. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the onlyNordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January1999.
Geography Finland
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, andGulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates:64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 338,145 sq kmwater: 33,672 sq kmland: 304,473 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries: total: 2,690 km border countries: Norway 736 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km
Coastline:1,250 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundarywith Sweden
Climate:cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mildbecause of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and lowhills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 mhighest point: Halti 1,328 m
Natural resources:timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold,silver, limestone
Land use: arable land: 7.19% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 92.78% (2001)
Irrigated land:640 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing toacid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agriculturalchemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost nationalcapital on European continent; population concentrated on smallsouthwestern coastal plain
People Finland
Population:5,214,512 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.5% (male 466,036; female 448,339)15-64 years: 66.7% (male 1,760,472; female 1,719,917)65 years and over: 15.7% (male 323,082; female 496,666) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 40.7 yearsmale: 39.1 yearsfemale: 42.2 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.18% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:10.56 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 3.91 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.24 yearsmale: 74.73 yearsfemale: 81.89 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.73 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Finn(s)adjective: Finnish
Ethnic groups:Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma 0.2%,Sami 0.1%
Religions:Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%
Languages:Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Sami- andRussian-speaking minorities
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100% (2000 est.)male: NAfemale: NA
Government Finland
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Finlandconventional short form: Finlandlocal short form: Suomilocal long form: Suomen Tasavalta
Government type:republic
Capital:Helsinki
Administrative divisions:6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani,Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani
Independence:6 December 1917 (from Russia)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution:1 March 2000
Legal system:civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may requestthe Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Antti KALLIOMAKI (since 17 April2003); note - former Prime Minister Anneli JAATTEENMAKI resignedcabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by thepresident, responsible to Parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to beheld February 2006); the president appoints the prime minister anddeputy prime minister from the majority party or the majoritycoalition after Parliamentary elections and the Parliament mustapprove the appointmentnote: government coalition - KESK, SDP, and SFPelection results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote -Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esko AHO (Kesk) 48.4%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are electedby popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%,Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party -Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, others 4elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD[Paivi RASANEN]; Green League or VIHR [Osmo SOININVAARA]; LeftAlliance or VAS composed of People's Democratic League andDemocratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition(conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social DemocraticParty or SDP [Paavo LIPPONEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP[Jan-Erik ENESTAM]
International organization participation:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer),OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU(observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jukka Robert VALTASAARIconsulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 298-6030telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Earle I. MACKembassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, FIN-00140, Helsinkimailing address: APO AE 09723telephone: [358] (9) 616250FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800
Flag description:white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; thevertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the styleof the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Finland
Economy - overview:Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy,with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, andItaly. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally thewood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronicsindustries. Trade is important, with exports equaling one-third ofGDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends onimports of raw materials, energy, and some components formanufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural developmentis limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products.Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondaryoccupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integrationwith Western Europe - Finland was one of the 12 countries joiningthe European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) - will dominate theeconomic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2003 washeld back by the global slowdown but will pick up in 2004 providedthe world economy suffers no further blows.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $142.2 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.9% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $27,400 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.3% industry: 32.7% services: 62.9% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):18% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25.6 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.9% (2003 est.)
Labor force:2.599 million (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 8%, industry 22%, construction 6%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, transport and communications 8%, public services 32%
Unemployment rate:9% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $87.03 billionexpenditures: $81.62 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2003 est.)
Public debt:48.7% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish
Industries:metal products, electronics, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copperrefining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:0.8% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:71.2 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:76.18 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:1.81 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:11.77 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:211,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:101,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:318,300 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:4.557 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$10.3 billion (2003)
Exports:$54.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp(1999)
Exports - partners:Germany 11.8%, Sweden 9.9%, US 8.2%, UK 8%, Russia 7.5%,Netherlands 4.8% (2003)
Imports:$37.35 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transportequipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics,grains (1999)
Imports - partners:Germany 16.2%, Sweden 14.1%, Russia 11.7%, Netherlands 6.3%,Denmark 5.7%, UK 5.3%, France 4.3% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$11.17 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$30 billion (December 1993)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $379 million (2001)
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 Finland
Telephones - main lines in use:2.548 million (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4.7 million (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system with excellent servicedomestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensivecellular network provide domestic needsinternational: country code - 358; 1 submarine cable (FinlandEstonia Connection); satellite earth stations - access to Intelsattransmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland sharesthe Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark,Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:7.7 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:3.2 million (1997)
Internet country code:.fi
Internet hosts:1,219,173 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2002)
Internet users:2.65 million (2002)
Transportation Finland
Railways: total: 5,851 km broad gauge: 5,851 km 1.524-m gauge (2,400 km electrified) (2003)
Highways:total: 78,137 kmpaved: 50,398 km (including 750 km of expressways)unpaved: 27,739 km (2003)
Waterways:7,842 kmnote: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leasedfrom Russia (2004)
Pipelines:gas 694 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma,Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus
Merchant marine:total: 90 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,152,175 GRT/1,053,906 DWTregistered in other countries: 39 (2004 est.)by type: bulk 9, cargo 26, chemical tanker 5, container 1, passenger2, petroleum tanker 9, roll on/roll off 28, short-sea/passenger 10foreign-owned: Estonia 1
Airports:148 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 75 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 69 (2004 est.)
Military Finland
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service(October 2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,226,890 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,013,961 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 32,058 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.8 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues Finland
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@France
Introduction France
Background:Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, Francesuffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rankas a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of themost modern countries in the world and is a leader among Europeannations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracyresistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentarydemocracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperationwith Germany have proved central to the economic integration ofEurope, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront ofefforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplementprogress toward an EU foreign policy.
Geography France
Location:Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel,between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Geographic coordinates:46 00 N, 2 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 547,030 sq kmland: 545,630 sq kmnote: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseasadministrative divisionswater: 1,400 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:total: 2,889 kmborder countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,Switzerland 573 km
Coastline:3,427 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)
Climate:generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hotsummers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry,north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
Terrain:mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 mhighest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources:coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash,feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish
Land use: arable land: 33.53% permanent crops: 2.07% other: 64.4% (2001)
Irrigated land:20,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest firesin south near the Mediterranean