Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is boththe chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shahholds the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presidessymbolically over certain occasions, but lacks any governingauthority; the honorific is not hereditaryhead of government: President of the Islamic Republic ofAfghanistan, Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - thepresident is both chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: 27 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministersare appointed by the president and approved by the National Assemblyelections: the president and two vice presidents are elected bydirect vote for a five-year term; if no candidate receives 50% ormore of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidateswith the most votes will participate in a second round; a presidentcan only be elected for two terms; election last held 9 October 2004(next to be held in 2009)election results: Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote -Hamid KARZAI - 55.4%, Yunus QANOONI - 16.3%, Mohammad MOHAQEQ -11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM - 1.4%, MasoodaJALAL - 1.2%
Legislative branch:nonfunctioning as of January 2004; government is empowered by theconstitution to issue legislation by decree until the new assemblyis seated; under the new constitution, the bicameral NationalAssembly will consist of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (nomore than 249 seats), directly elected for a five-year term, and theMeshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one third elected fromprovincial councils for a four-year term, one third elected fromlocal district councils for a three-year term, and one thirdpresidential appointees for a five-year term; the presidentialappointees will include two representatives of Kuchis and tworepresentatives of the disabled; half of the presidential appointeeswill be women)note: on rare occasions the government may convene the Loya Jirga onissues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorialintegrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution andprosecute the president; it is made up of members of the NationalAssembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councilselections: scheduled for spring 2005
Judicial branch:the new constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama orSupreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms bythe president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinateHigh Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a Minister of Justice;a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established bythe Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abusesand war crimes
Political parties and leaders:note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry ofJustice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; De Afghanistan De SolayGhorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Mili IslamiGond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-Islami Afghanistan[Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE]; Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan[Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [AbdulMALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad KabeerMARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid [Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE];Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond [NA leader]; Hezb-e-Congra-e-MiliAfghanistan [Lateef PIDRAM]; Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan[Mohammad ZAREEF]; Hezb-e-Libral-e-AazadeeKhwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL]; Hezb-e-Hambastagee MiliJawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI];Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT];Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Moahammad Nadir AATASH];Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said HssainANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan[Baryalai NASRATEE]; Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. FarooqNIJZRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR];Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID]; Hezb-e-MiliAfghanistan [Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-MiliWahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE];Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD];Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan [Said Mansoor NADIRI];Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR];Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ];Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad UsmanSALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [AbdulQahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [AbdulQadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [AhamadSHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad KarimKHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Haji MohammadMUHAQIQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed Jalili];Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan [MawlaweeSamiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul Rashjid DOSTUM];Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE]; Majmah-e-MiliFahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq Noor SHAMS];Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa democracy Afghanistan [Abdul Raqeeb JawidKUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer Said IshaqGAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad JawadHUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep2004)
Political pressure groups and leaders:Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam), [former President BurhanuddinRABBANI]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic Union for the Liberation ofAfghanistan), [Abdul Rasul SAYYAF]; there are also small monarchist,communist, and democratic groups
International organization participation:AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM,NATO, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer), WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWADconsulate(s) general: New YorkFAX: [1] 202-483-6488telephone: [1] 202-483-6410chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Zalmay KHALILZADembassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabulmailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180telephone: [00] (2) 230-0436FAX: [0093] (2) 230-1364
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with agold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features atemple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and rightand by a bold Islamic inscription above
Economy Afghanistan
Economy - overview:Afghanistan's economic outlook has improved significantly over thepast two years because of the infusion of over $2 billion ininternational assistance, dramatic improvements in agriculturalproduction, and the end of a four-year drought in most of thecountry. However, Afghanistan remains extremely poor, landlocked,and highly dependent on foreign aid, farming, and trade withneighboring countries. It will probably take the remainder of thedecade and continuing donor aid and attention to raise Afghanistan'sliving standards up from its current status among the lowest in theworld. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages ofhousing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs, but theAfghan government and international donors remain committed toimproving access to these basic necessities by prioritizinginfrastructure development, education, housing development, jobsprograms, and economic reform over the next year. Growing politicalstability and continued international commitment to Afghanreconstruction create an optimistic outlook for maintainingimprovements to the Afghan economy in 2004. The replacement of theopium trade - which may account for one-third of GDP - is one ofseveral potential spoilers for the economy over the long term.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $20 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:29% (2003 est.): note: this high growth rate reflects the extremely low levels ofactivity between 1999 and 2002, as well as the end of a four-yeardrought and the impact of donor assistance
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $700 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 60% industry: 20% services: 20% (1990 est.)
Population below poverty line:23% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.2% (2003)
Labor force:11.8 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:NA (2003)
Budget:revenues: $200 millionexpenditures: $550 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2003 plan)
Agriculture - products:opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins
Industries:small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes,fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:334.8 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:511.4 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:200 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:220 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:220 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:49.98 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Exports:$98 million (not including illicit exports) (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides andpelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Exports - partners:US 27%, France 17.5%, India 16.6%, Pakistan 13.3% (2003)
Imports:$1.007 billion (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products
Imports - partners:Pakistan 30.1%, South Korea 9.2%, Japan 7.6%, Germany 6.9%,Turkmenistan 5.4%, Kenya 4.6%, US 4.5%, Russia 4% (2003)
Debt - external:$8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has$500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:international pledges made by more than 60 countries andinternational financial institutions at the Tokyo Donors Conferencefor Afghan reconstruction in January 2002 reached $4.5 billionthrough 2006, with $1.8 billion allocated for 2002; another $1.7billion was pledged for 2003.
Currency:afghani (AFA)
Currency code:AFA
Exchange rates:afghanis per US dollar - 50 (2003), 50 (2002), 3,000 (2001), 3,000(2000), 3,000 (1999): note: in 2002, the afghani was revalued and the currencystabilized at about 50 afghanis to the dollar; before 2002, themarket rate varied widely from the official rate
Fiscal year:21 March - 20 March
Communications Afghanistan
Telephones - main lines in use:33,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:15,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph servicedomestic: telephone service is improving with the establishment oftwo mobile phone operators by 2003; telephone main lines remain weakwith only .1 line per 10 peopleinternational: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul,Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide internationaland domestic voice and data connectivity
Radio broadcast stations:AM 21, FM 23, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian(Dari), Urdu, and English) (2003)
Radios:167,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations: at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)
Televisions:100,000 (1999)
Internet country code:.af
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:1,000 (2002)
Communications - note:in March 2003 'af' was established as Afghanistan's domain name;Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public"telekiosks" in Kabul that are part of a nationwide network proposedby the Transitional Authority for Internet access (2002)
Transportation Afghanistan
Highways: total: 21,000 km paved: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.)
Waterways: 1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2004)
Pipelines:gas 387 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Airports:47 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
Heliports: 5 (2003 est.)
Military Afghanistan
Military branches:Afghan National Army, currently being trained by the US with theassistance of the international community, is 7,000 strong; note -the December 2001 Bonn Agreement called for all militia forces tocome under the authority of the central government, but regionalleaders have continued to retain their militias and the formation ofa national army remains a gradual process; Afghanistan's militiaforces continue to be factionalized, largely along ethnic lines
Military manpower - military age and obligation:22 years of age (2004 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 6,785,414 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 3,642,659 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 263,406 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$61 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1% (2003)
Transnational Issues Afghanistan
Disputes - international:despite largely successful UN efforts at voluntary repatriation,2-3 million Afghan refugees continue to reside in Iran and Pakistan,many at their own choosing; Pakistan has sent troops into remotetribal areas to control the border and stem organized terrorist andother illegal cross-border activites; regular meetings betweenPakistani and coalition allies aim to resolve periodic claims ofboundary encroachments; occasional conflicts over water-sharingarrangements with Amu Darya and Helmand River states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 167,000 - 200,000 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced insouth and west due to drought and instability) (2004)
Illicit drugs:world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium poppyreached unprecedented level of 206,700 hectares in 2004; counterdrugefforts largely unsuccessful; potential opium production of 4,950metric tons; potential heroin production of 582 metric tons if allopium was processed; source of hashish; many narcotics-processinglabs throughout the country; drug trade source of instability andsome antigovernment groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of theheroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable tonarcotics money laundering through informal financial networks
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Akrotiri
Introduction Akrotiri
Background:By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created theindependent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovreignty andjurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers intotal: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of theseis the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to asthe Western Sovereign Base Area.
Geography Akrotiri
Location:peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Geographic coordinates:34 37 N, 32 58 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 123 sq kmnote: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area - comparative:about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate:temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerheadand green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is onthe base
Geography - note:British extraterritorial rights also extended to several smalloff-post sites scattered across Cyprus
People Akrotiri
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: approximately 1,300 military personnel are on the base; note -there are another 5,000 British citizens who are families ofmilitary personnel or civilian staff on both Akrotiri and Dhekelia;Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there
Government Akrotiri
Country name:conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Areaconventional short form: Akrotiri
Dependency status:overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator who isalso the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital:Episkopi; also serves as capital of Dhekelia
Legal system:the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator isappointed by the monarchhead of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Tomas ClaytonPEARSON (since 9 May 2003) note - reports to the British Ministry ofDefence
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:the flag of the UK is used
Economy Akrotiri
Economy - overview:Economic activity is limited to providing services to the militaryand their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufacturedgoods must be imported.
Military Akrotiri
Military - note:Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces onCyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Albania
Introduction Albania
Background:Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobicCommunist rule and established a multiparty democracy. Thetransition has proven difficult as successive governments have triedto deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidatedinfrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to highgovernment officials, and disruptive political opponents.International observers judged parliamentary elections in 2001 andlocal elections in 2003 to be acceptable and a step towarddemocratic development, but identified serious deficiencies. Many ofthese deficiencies have been addressed through bi-partisan changesto the electoral code in 2003 and 2005, but implementation of thesechanges will not be demonstrated until parliamentary elections inJuly 2005.
Geography Albania
Location:Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea,between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Geographic coordinates:41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 28,748 sq kmwater: 1,350 sq kmland: 27,398 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:total: 720 kmborder countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Serbia andMontenegro 287 km
Coastline:362 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers;interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain:mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore,nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 21.09% permanent crops: 4.42% other: 74.49% (2001)
Irrigated land:3,400 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast;floods; drought
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial anddomestic effluents
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea toIonian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
People Albania
Population:3,544,808 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.4% (male 489,363; female 446,586)15-64 years: 65.3% (male 1,184,670; female 1,130,065)65 years and over: 8.3% (male 135,177; female 158,947) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 28.2 yearsmale: 27.6 yearsfemale: 28.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.51% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:15.08 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.1 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 22.31 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 21.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 23.01 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.06 yearsmale: 74.37 yearsfemale: 80.02 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.05 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: Albanian(s)adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups:Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, andMacedonian or Bulgarian) (1989 est.)note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions:Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%note: percentages are estimates; there are no available currentstatistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches wereclosed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages:Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach,Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy:definition: age 9 and over can read and writetotal population: 86.5%male: 93.3%female: 79.5% (2003 est.)
Government Albania
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Albaniaconventional short form: Albanialocal short form: Shqiperiaformer: People's Socialist Republic of Albanialocal long form: Republika e Shqiperise
Government type:emerging democracy
Capital:Tirana
Administrative divisions:12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku iDibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku iGjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarkui Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores
Independence:28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Constitution:a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998
Legal system:has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the InternationalCriminal Court for its citizens
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24July 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 31 July 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,nominated by the president, and approved by Parliamentelections: president elected by the People's Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held NAJune 2007); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assemblyvote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19
Legislative branch:unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote forfour-year terms)elections: last held 24 June 2001 with subsequent rounds on 8 July,22 July, 29 July, 19 August 2001 (next to be held July 2005)election results: percent of vote by party - PS 41.5%, PD andcoalition allies 36.8%, PDR 5.2%, PSD 3.6%, PBDNJ 2.6%, PASH (nowPAA) 2.6%, PAD 2.5%; seats by party - PS 73, PD and coalition allies46, PDR 6, PSD 4, PBDNJ 3, PASH (now PAA) 3, PAD 3, independents 2;note - seats by party as of January 2005: PS 65, PD and coalitionallies 46, LSI 9, PDR 6, PSD 3, PBDNJ 3, PASH (now PAA) 3, PAD 3,PDS 1, independents 1
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by thePeople's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals anddistrict courts
Political parties and leaders:Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; ChristianDemocratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI]; Communist Party of Albaniaor PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or PAD [NeritanCEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality MovementParty or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL [ArjanSTAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [AdriatikALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party ofNational Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party orPDR [Dashamir SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; SocialDemocracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD[Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [IlirMETA]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor)[Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vangjel DULE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO];Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI];Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania orBSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
International organization participation:ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Fatos TARIFA FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcie B. RIES embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 374957 and [355] (4) 232222
Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Economy Albania
Economy - overview:Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making thedifficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Thegovernment has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spureconomic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittancesfrom abroad of $400-$600 million annually, mostly from Greece andItaly; this helps offset the sizable trade deficit. Agriculture,which accounts for one-half of GDP, is held back because of frequentdrought and the need to modernize equipment and consolidate smallplots of land. Severe energy shortages and antiquated and inadequateinfrastructure make it difficult to attract and sustain foreigninvestment. The government plans to boost energy imports to relievethe shortages and is moving slowly to improve the poor national roadand rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economicgrowth.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $16.13 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 47.5% industry: 24.6% services: 27.8% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):18.7% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:30% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.4% (2003)
Labor force:1.35 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 57%, non-agricultural private sector 20%, public sector 23% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:15.8% officially; may be as high as 30% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.36 billionexpenditures: $1.627 billion, including capital expenditures of $406million (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes;meat, dairy products
Industries:food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement,chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate:2.7% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:5.289 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:5.898 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:221 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:1.2 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:5,952 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:22,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:185.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:30 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:30 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:3.316 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-407 million (2003)
Exports:$425 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crudeoil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Exports - partners:Italy 74.9%, Greece 12.8%, Germany 3.4% (2003)
Imports:$1.76 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Imports - partners:Italy 33.6%, Greece 20.2%, Turkey 6.6%, Germany 5.7% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$1.038 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$1.41 billion (2003)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.)
Currency:lek (ALL)
Currency code:ALL
Exchange rates:leke per US dollar - 121.863 (2003), 140.155 (2002), 143.485(2001), 143.709 (2000), 137.691 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Albania
Telephones - main lines in use:255,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.1 million (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: Despite new investment in fixed lines, thedensity of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8lines per 100 people. However, cellular telephone use is widespreadand generally effective.domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobilephone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companieswere providing mobile services at a greater density than some ofAlbania's Balkan neighborsinternational: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines;adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried bymicrowave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece(2003)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001)
Radios:1 million (2001)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:700,000 (2001)
Internet country code:.al
Internet hosts:455 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):10 (2001)
Internet users:30,000 (2003)
Transportation Albania
Railways: total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)
Highways: total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (2000)
Waterways:43 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Merchant marine:total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 40,878 GRT/62,676 DWTregistered in other countries: 7 (2004 est.)by type: bulk 1, cargo 19, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1foreign-owned: Denmark 1, Honduras 1, Netherlands 1
Airports:11 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)914 to 1,523 m: 2over 3,047 m: 1
Heliports:1 (2003 est.)
Military Albania
Military branches:General Staff Headquarters, Land Forces Command (Army), NavalForces Command, Air Forces Command, Doctrine and Exercises Command,Logistics Support Command
Military manpower - military age and obligation:19 years of age (2004 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 956,107 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 775,422 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 36,584 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$56.5 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.49% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Albania
Disputes - international:the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights ofethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peacefulresolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups inneighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the ideahas little appeal among Albanian nationals
Illicit drugs:increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asianopiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - toa far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined forWestern Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production;ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expandingin Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regionaltrafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Algeria
Introduction Algeria
Background:After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians foughtthrough much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria'sprimary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), hasdominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequentgeneration were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter theFLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first roundsuccess of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone thesecond round of elections to prevent what the secular elite fearedwould be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The armybegan a crack down on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to beginattacking government targets. The government later allowed electionsfeaturing pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, butdid not appease the activists who progressively widened theirattacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which sawintense fighting between 1992-1998 and which resulted in over100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres ofvillagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by thelate-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army,disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militantspersist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes andoccasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKAin the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimedneutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. A number oflongstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his secondterm, including the ethnic minority Berbers' ongoing autonomycampaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing,unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficienciesand corruption, and the continuing - although significantly degraded- activities of extremist militants. Algeria must also diversify itspetroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve butwhich has not been used to redress Algeria's many social andinfrastructure problems. Algeria assumed a two-year seat on the UNSecurity Council in January 2004.
Geography Algeria
Location:Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Moroccoand Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 2,381,740 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 2,381,740 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 6,343 kmborder countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline:998 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
Climate:arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers alongcoast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau;sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain:mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 mhighest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Land use: arable land: 3.22% permanent crops: 0.25% other: 96.53% (2001)
Irrigated land:5,600 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides andfloods in rainy season
Environment - current issues:soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices;desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes,and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of riversand coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becomingpolluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff;inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
People Algeria
Population:32,129,324 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 29.9% (male 4,893,971; female 4,705,933)15-64 years: 65.5% (male 10,593,840; female 10,443,300)65 years and over: 4.6% (male 703,420; female 788,860) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 23.8 yearsmale: 23.7 yearsfemale: 24 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.28% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:17.76 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.39 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 32.16 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 28.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 36.06 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.74 yearsmale: 71.22 yearsfemale: 74.34 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.04 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:9,100 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Algerian(s)adjective: Algerian
Ethnic groups:Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; theminority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in themountainous region of Kabylie east of Algeirs; the Berbers are alsoMuslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab culturalheritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, forautonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but hasoffered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools
Religions:Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages:Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 70%male: 78.8%female: 61% (2003 est.)
Government Algeria
Country name:conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeriaconventional short form: Algerialocal short form: Al Jaza'irlocal long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ashSha'biyah
Government type:republic
Capital:Algiers
Administrative divisions:48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, AinTemouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida,Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa,El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel,Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila,Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, SidiBel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret,Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence:5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday:Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Constitution:19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996
Legal system:socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review oflegislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed ofvarious public officials, including several Supreme Court justices;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 8 April 2004 (next to be held NA April 2009);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president forsecond term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 85%, Ali BENFLIS6.4%, Abdallah DJABALLAH 5%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly orAl-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from 380 seatsin the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats;one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirdselected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; theconstitution requires half the council to be renewed every threeyears)elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (nextto be held NA 2007); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 30December 2003 (next to be held NA 2009)election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote byparty - NA; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, Islah 43, MSP 38, PT21, FNA 8, EnNahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council ofNations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Court Supreme
Political parties and leaders:Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic NationalRally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front orFIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, RabehKEBIR (self-exiled in Germany)]; National Entente Movement or MEN[Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [AbdelazizBELKHADEM, secretary general (also serves as Foreign Minister)];National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [AbdellahDJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [Yacine TERKMANE];Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture andDemocracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; RenaissanceMovement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Social Liberal Party orPSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED,secretary general (self-exiled in Switzerland)]; Society of PeaceMovement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [LouisaHANOUN]note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enactedin March 1997
Political pressure groups and leaders:The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia AliABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET]
International organization participation:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner),UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79
Flag description:two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red,five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-colorboundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditionalsymbols of Islam (the state religion)
Economy Algeria
Economy - overview:The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accountingfor roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% ofexport earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of naturalgas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks14th in oil reserves. Economic policy reforms supported by the IMFand debt rescheduling from the Paris Club in the past decade havehelped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators.Because of sustained high oil prices in the past three years,Algeria's finances have further benefited from substantial tradesurpluses and record foreign exchange reserves. Real GDP has risendue to higher oil output and increased government spending. Thegovernment's continued efforts to diversify the economy byattracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energysector, however, has had little success in reducing highunemployment and improving living standards. Structural reformwithin the economy moves ahead slowly.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $196 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.4% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 56.5% services: 33.4% (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):24.8% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:23% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:35.3 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force:9.6 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:26.2% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $25.49 billionexpenditures: $22.87 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8billion (2003 est.)
Public debt:41.5% of GDP (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Industries:petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical,petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:24.69 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:22.9 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:340 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:275 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:1.52 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:13.1 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:4.739 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$7.836 billion (2003)
Exports:$24.96 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Exports - partners:Italy 19.5%, US 18.5%, France 13.6%, Spain 11.2%, Canada 6.2%,Belgium 5.1%, Brazil 4.9% (2003)
Imports:$12.42 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:France 30.9%, Italy 9.6%, Spain 6.1%, Germany 5.5%, China 4.6%,Turkey 4.1% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$33.42 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$22.71 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$182 million (2001 est.)
Currency:Algerian dinar (DZD)
Currency code:DZD