Transnational Issues Korea, North
Disputes - international:with China, certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers are inuncontested dispute; a section of boundary around Paektu-san(mountain) is indefinite; China has been attempting to stop massillegal migration of North Koreans escaping famine, economicprivation, and oppression into northern China; Military DemarcationLine within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated Northfrom South Korea since 1953; periodic maritime disputes with SouthKorea
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 50,000-250,000 (government repression and famine) (2004)
Illicit drugs:for years, from the 1970's into the 2000's, citizens of theDemocratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of themdiplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroadwhile trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December2004; in recent years, police investigations in Taiwan and Japanhave linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin andmethamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchantship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003;all indications point to North Korea emerging as an importantregional source of illicit drugs targeting markets in Japan, Taiwan,the Russian Far East, and China
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Korea, South
Introduction Korea, South
Background:Korea was an independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for mostof the past millennium. Following its victory in the Russo-JapaneseWar in 1905, Japan occupied Korea; five years later it formallyannexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, a republic was setup in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while aCommunist-style government was installed in the north. During theKorean War (1950-1953), US and other UN forces intervened to defendSouth Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. Anarmistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along ademilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, SouthKorea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income risingto roughly 18 times the level of North Korea. In 1987, South Koreanvoters elected ROH Tae-woo to the presidency, ending 26 years ofmilitary dictatorships. South Korea today is a fully functioningmodern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summittook place between the South's President KIM Tae-chung and theNorth's leader KIM Jong Il.
Geography Korea, South
Location:Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering theSea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Geographic coordinates:37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 98,480 sq kmland: 98,190 sq kmwater: 290 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km
Coastline:2,413 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Straitcontinental shelf: not specifiedcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
Terrain:mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land: 17.18% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 80.87% (2001)
Irrigated land:11,590 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismicactivity common in southwest
Environment - current issues:air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from thedischarge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine LivingResources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location on Korea Strait
People Korea, South
Population:48,598,175 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20.4% (male 5,223,344; female 4,681,594)15-64 years: 71.4% (male 17,625,302; female 17,072,029)65 years and over: 8.2% (male 1,597,085; female 2,398,821) (2004est.)
Median age: total: 33.7 years male: 32.8 years female: 34.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.62% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:12.33 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.09 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.18 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 7.64 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.58 yearsmale: 71.96 yearsfemale: 79.54 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.56 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:8,300 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups:homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions:no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%,other 1%
Languages:Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.9%male: 99.2%female: 96.6% (2002)
Government Korea, South
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Koreaconventional short form: South Korealocal long form: Taehan-min'gukabbreviation: ROKnote: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer totheir countrylocal short form: none
Government type:republic
Capital:Seoul
Administrative divisions:9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities(gwangyoksi, singular and plural): provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo(South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong),Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do,Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang): metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi (Inchon),Kwangju-gwangyoksi (Kwangju), Pusan-gwangyoksi (Pusan),Soul-t'ukpyolsi (Seoul), Taegu-gwangyoksi (Taegu), Taejon-gwangyoksi(Taejon), Ulsan-gwangyoksi (Ulsan)
Independence:15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National holiday:Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
Constitution:17 July 1948
Legal system:combines elements of continental European civil law systems,Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Suffrage:20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President ROH Moo-hyun (since 25 February 2003)head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hae-chan (since 25 May 2004);Deputy Prime Ministers KIM Jin-pyo (since 28 January 2005), LEEHun-jai (since 10 February 2004), and OH Myung (since 18 October2004)elections: president elected by popular vote for single five-yearterm; election last held 19 December 2002 (next to be held inDecember 2007); prime minister appointed by president with consentof National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by presidenton prime minister's recommendationelection results: results of the 19 December 2002 election - ROHMoo-hyun elected president; percent of vote - ROH Moo-hyun (MDP)48.9%; LEE Hoi-chang (GNP) 46.6%; other 4.5%cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the primeminister's recommendation
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats — memberselected for four-year terms; 243 in single-seat constituencies, 56by proportional representationelection results: percent of vote by party - Uri 51%, GNP 41%, DLP3%, MDP 3%, others 2%; seats by party - Uri 152, GNP 121, DLP 10,MDP 9, others 7 (2004)elections: last held 15 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2008;by-elections scheduled for April 2005))
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (justices appointed by president with consent ofNational Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed bypresident based partly on nominations by National Assembly and ChiefJustice of the court)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KIM Hye-kyung, chairwoman]; GrandNational Party or GNP [PARK Geun-hye, chairwoman]; MillenniumDemocratic Party or MDP [HAHN Hwa-kap, chairman]; United LiberalDemocrats or ULD [KIM Hak-won, chairman]; Uri Party [LIM Chae-jung,interim chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions;Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council ofChurches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association;National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance ofKorea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; NationalFederation of Student Associations
International organization participation:AfDB, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group,BIS, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,ITU, LAIA, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador HONG Seok-hyun chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s): New York, Tamuning (Guam) FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: 82 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845
Flag description:white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center;there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book ofChanges) in each corner of the white field
Economy Korea, South
Economy - overview:Since the early 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incrediblerecord of growth and integration into the high-tech modern worldeconomy. Four decades ago GDP per capita was comparable with levelsin the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capitais 18 times North Korea's and equal to the lesser economies of theEuropean Union. This success through the late 1980s was achieved bya system of close government/business ties, including directedcredit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, anda strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of rawmaterials and technology at the expense of consumer goods andencouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asianfinancial crisis of 1997-99 exposed longstanding weaknesses in SouthKorea's development model, including high debt/equity ratios,massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector.Growth plunged to a negative 6.6% in 1998, then strongly recoveredto 10.8% in 1999 and 9.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and theperception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms hadstalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was animpressive 6.2%, despite anemic global growth, followed by moderate2.8% growth in 2003. In 2003 the National Assembly approvedlegislation reducing the six-day work week to five days.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $857.8 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.1% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $17,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 36.4% services: 60% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):29.6% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:4% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 22.5% (1999 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:31.6 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.6% (2003 est.)
Labor force:22.92 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 8.8%, industry 19.1%, services 72.1% (2001)
Unemployment rate:3.4% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $135.5 billionexpenditures: $128.7 billion, including capital expenditures of$23.5 billion (2003)
Public debt:13.8% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs,chickens, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals,shipbuilding, steel
Industrial production growth rate:5.1% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:290.7 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:270.3 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:2.14 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:804,700 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:2.965 million bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:20.92 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:21.11 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$12.32 billion (2003)
Exports:$201.3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:Semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motorvehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals
Exports - partners:China 18.2%, US 17.8%, Japan 9%, Hong Kong 7.6% (2003)
Imports:$175.6 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel,transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics
Imports - partners:Japan 20.3%, US 13.9%, China 12.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.2% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$155.4 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$130.3 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - donor:ODA $200 million
Currency:South Korean won (KRW)
Currency code:KRW
Exchange rates:South Korean won per US dollar - 1,191.61 (2003), 1,251.09 (2002),1,290.99 (2001), 1,130.96 (2000), 1,188.82 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Korea, South
Telephones - main lines in use:22.877 million (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:33,591,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent domestic and international servicesdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 82; fiber-optic submarine cable toChina; the Russia-Korea-Japan submarine cable; satellite earthstations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 58, FM 150, shortwave 2 (2004)
Radios:47.5 million (2000)
Television broadcast stations: 64 (additionally 119 Cable Operators; 239 Relay Cable Operators) (2004)
Televisions:15.9 million (1997)
Internet country code:.kr
Internet hosts:694,206 (2001)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):11 (2000)
Internet users:29.22 million (2003)
Transportation Korea, South
Railways: total: 3,125 km standard gauge: 3,125 km 1.435-m gauge (661 km electrified) (2003)
Highways:total: 86,990 kmpaved: 64,808 km (including 1,996 km of expressways)unpaved: 22,182 km (1999 est.)
Waterways: 1,608 km note: most navigable only by small craft (2004)
Pipelines:gas 1,433 km; refined products 827 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, P'ohang, Pusan,Tonghae-hang, Ulsan, Yosu
Merchant marine:total: 535 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,978,949 GRT/9,761,699 DWTregistered in other countries: 442 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Bahrain 1, China 1, Gibraltar 1, Honduras 1,Indonesia 1, Japan 3, Malaysia 1, Panama 1, Philippines 1, SaintVincent and the Grenadines 1, United Kingdom 1, United States 1by type: bulk 97, cargo 174, chemical tanker 61, combination bulk10, container 60, liquefied gas 19, passenger 3, petroleum tanker73, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea/passenger2, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 3
Airports:102 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 88 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 38 (2004 est.) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 91 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 88 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 206 (2003 est.)
Military Korea, South
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime Police(Coast Guard)
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 20-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 14,233,895 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 8,966,241 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 341,697 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$14.522 billion (FY03)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.7% (FY03)
Transnational Issues Korea, South
Disputes - international:Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zonehas separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic maritimedisputes with North Korea over the Northern Limit Line; unresolveddispute with Japan over Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima) andoccasional protests over fishing rights in grounds also claimed byJapan
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Kuwait
Introduction Kuwait
Background:Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the rulingKuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961.Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Followingseveral weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began aground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in fourdays. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructuredamaged during 1990-91.
Geography Kuwait
Location:Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and SaudiArabia
Geographic coordinates:29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 17,820 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 17,820 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline:499 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain:flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 0.73% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 99.16% (2001)
Irrigated land:60 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavyrain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust stormsoccur throughout the year, but are most common between March andAugust
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
People Kuwait
Population: 2,257,549 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27.5% (male 316,237; female 304,671)15-64 years: 69.8% (male 1,007,298; female 569,128)65 years and over: 2.7% (male 38,408; female 21,807) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 25.9 yearsmale: 28.2 yearsfemale: 22 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:3.36%note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration ofexpatriates (2004 est.)
Birth rate:21.85 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:2.44 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:14.18 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: 1.77 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 11.27 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.84 yearsmale: 75.86 yearsfemale: 77.86 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.03 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.12% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Kuwaiti(s)adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic groups:Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions:Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, andother 15%
Languages:Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 83.5%male: 85.1%female: 81.7% (2003 est.)
Government Kuwait
Country name:conventional long form: State of Kuwaitconventional short form: Kuwaitlocal short form: Al Kuwaytlocal long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt
Government type:nominal constitutional monarchy
Capital:Kuwait
Administrative divisions:5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, AlFarwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli
Independence:19 June 1961 (from UK)
National holiday:National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution:approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system:civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or haveresided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants atage 21note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification buthave been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for thefirst time
Executive branch:chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31December 1977); Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdullah al-Salim Al Sabahhead of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah(since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofthe Interior NAWWAF al-Ahmad Al Sabah (since 2003); Deputy PrimeMinisters JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad Al Sabah (since 2001) and MuhammadDayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister andapproved by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister anddeputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - Islamists 21,government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; note -all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the NationalAssembly
Judicial branch:High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:none; formation of political parties is illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders:several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins,merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists andnationalists
International organization participation:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah Jabir Al SabahFAX: [1] (202) 364-2868telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Richard LEBARONembassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayanpalace), Kuwait Citymailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE09880-9000telephone: [965] 539-5307, 5308FAX: [965] 538-0282
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with ablack trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I
Economy Kuwait
Economy - overview:Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crudeoil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves.Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues,and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agriculturaldevelopment. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it dependsalmost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must bedistilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreignoil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $41.46 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.6% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 59.5% services: 40% (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):8% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.2% (2003 est.)
Labor force:1.38 millionnote: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force. (2003est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA
Unemployment rate:2.1% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $29.41 billionexpenditures: $17.57 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2003)
Public debt:29.5% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:practically no crops; fish
Industries:petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing,construction materials
Industrial production growth rate:-5% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:31.49 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:29.29 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:2.27 million bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:293,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:1.97 million bbl/day (2003)
Oil - imports:NA (2003)
Oil - proved reserves:97.68 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2002 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2002 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.548 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$8.652 billion (2003)
Exports:$22.29 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners:Japan 21.3%, South Korea 14.9%, US 11.5%, Singapore 9.8%, Taiwan9.3% (2003)
Imports:$9.606 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners:US 14.7%, Japan 10.3%, Germany 9.6%, China 6.6%, UK 6.1%, SaudiArabia 5.5%, Italy 5%, France 4.2% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$7.685 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$12.18 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:NA (2001)
Currency:Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Currency code:KWD
Exchange rates:Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.298 (2003), 0.3039 (2002), 0.3067(2001), 0.3068 (2000), 0.3044 (1999)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Kuwait
Telephones - main lines in use:486,900 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.42 million (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: the quality of service is excellentdomestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for newsubscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellulartelephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is wellsupplied with pay telephonesinternational: country code - 965; coaxial cable and microwave radiorelay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via theFiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat(1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:1.175 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)
Televisions:875,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.kw
Internet hosts:3,437 (2001)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:567,000 (2003)
Transportation Kuwait
Highways: total: 4,450 km paved: 3,587 km unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines:gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' alAhmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Merchant marine:total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,319,082 GRT/3,768,828 DWTregistered in other countries: 5 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: India 1, Saudi Arabia 1by type: bulk 1, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 4,petroleum tanker 21, roll on/roll off 1
Airports:7 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Heliports:3 (2003 est.)
Military Kuwait
Military branches:Land Forces, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force),National Guard
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 880,461 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 531,556 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 18,849 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2,500.4 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:5.8% (2003)
Transnational Issues Kuwait
Disputes - international:Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritimeboundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in thePersian Gulf
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Kyrgyzstan
Introduction Kyrgyzstan
Background:A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proudnomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; itachieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Currentconcerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises,expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnicrelations, and combating terrorism.
Geography Kyrgyzstan
Location:Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates:41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 198,500 sq kmwater: 7,200 sq kmland: 191,300 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:total: 3,878 kmborder countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical insouthwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain:peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompassentire nation
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 mhighest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources:abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earthmetals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; otherdeposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:arable land: 7.3%permanent crops: 0.35%note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnutforest (2001)other: 92.35%
Irrigated land:10,740 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:water pollution; many people get their water directly fromcontaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseasesare prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigationpractices
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range;many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
People Kyrgyzstan
Population:5,081,429 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32.3% (male 835,599; female 804,384)15-64 years: 61.6% (male 1,535,447; female 1,594,972)65 years and over: 6.1% (male 120,555; female 190,472) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 23.1 yearsmale: 22.2 yearsfemale: 24 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.25% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:22.13 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.45 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: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 36.81 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 31.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 42.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 67.84 yearsmale: 63.84 yearsfemale: 72.05 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.71 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,900 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups:Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Religions:Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages:Kyrgyz - official language, Russian - official languagenote: in December 2001, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian anofficial language, equal in status to Kyrgyz
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 99%female: 96% (1989 est.)
Government Kyrgyzstan
Country name:conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republicconventional short form: Kyrgyzstanlocal short form: noneformer: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republiclocal long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
Government type:republic
Capital:Bishkek
Administrative divisions:7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar);Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-AbadOblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty(Karakol)note: administrative divisions have the same names as theiradministrative centers (exceptions have the administrative centername following in parentheses)
Independence:31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution:adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEVand passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantlyexpands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)head of government: Prime Minister Nikolay TANAYEV (since 22 May2002); note - Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV resigned on 22 May2002 when five demonstrators were killed in a clash with police inMarch of 2002; First Deputy Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV(since 19 March 2004)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelection results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote- Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%;note - election marred by serious irregularitieselections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be 30 October 2005);prime minister appointed by the president; note - President AKAYEVhas publicly stated that he will not seek reelection when hiscurrent term expires in 2005
Legislative branch:bicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh consists of theAssembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are electedby popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the LegislativeAssembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms); note - in accordance with a 2003 referendum, theParliament is slated to become unicameral with 75 deputies after the27 February 2005 electionselection results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent ofvote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly -percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - totalseats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union ofDemocratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4,independents 73, other 10note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly ofPeople's Representatives and the Legislative Assemblyelections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005);Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000;elections for the new unicameral body or Jorgorku Kenesh are to beheld 27 February 2005)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by theSupreme Council on the recommendation of the president);Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders:Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party ofKyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [ErkinALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV];Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner NationalRevival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [OmurbekTEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA];Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; ErkinKyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV];Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future ofKyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan)[Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz NationalParty [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV];Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; MoyaStrana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party ofCommunists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party ofJustice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants[Esengul ISAKOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights[Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union ofEntrepreneurs
International organization participation:AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW,OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK,UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEVFAX: [1] (202) 338-5139consulate(s): New Yorktelephone: [1] (202) 338-5141chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNGembassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016mailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217FAX: [996] (312) 551-264
Flag description:red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 raysrepresenting the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays runcounterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of thesun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylizedrepresentation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
Economy Kyrgyzstan
Economy - overview:Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantlyagricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the mainagricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exportedin any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium,and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairlyprogressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improvedregulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIScountry to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fitsand starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001,2.1% in 2002, and 4.0% in 2003. Much of the government's stock inenterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe afterthe breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995production began to recover and exports began to increase.Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting relatively liberaleconomic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold minesparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced backto 6% in 2003. The government has made steady strides in controllingits substantial fiscal deficit and aims to reduce the deficit to 4.4percent of GDP in 2004. The government and the internationalfinancial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensivemedium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Furtherrestructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreigninvestment are keys to future growth.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $7.808 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.7% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38.7% industry: 22.9% services: 38.4% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):17.6% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:50% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 27.7% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:34.6 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force:2.7 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.2% (1999 est.)
Budget:revenues: $371.5 millionexpenditures: $387.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2003 est.)
Agriculture - products:tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries;sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Industries:small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawnlogs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earthmetals
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:13.45 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:10.46 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:2.25 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:200 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Natural gas - production:16 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:2 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$-108 million (2003)
Exports:$548 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas,hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners:UAE 24.7%, Switzerland 20.3%, Russia 16.7%, Kazakhstan 9.8%, Canada5.3%, China 4% (2003)
Imports:$601 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Russia 24.7%, Kazakhstan 24%, China 10.3%, US 6.7%, Uzbekistan5.5%, Germany 5.3% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$399.3 million (2003)
Debt - external:$1.5 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$50 million from the US (2001)
Currency:Kyrgyzstani som (KGS)
Currency code:KGS
Exchange rates:soms per US dollar - 43.6484 (2003), 46.9371 (2002), 48.378 (2001),47.7038 (2000), 39.0077 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Kyrgyzstan
Telephones - main lines in use:394,800 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:53,100 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfiedapplications for household telephonesdomestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider,probably limited to Bishkek regioninternational: country code - 996; connections with other CIScountries by landline or microwave radio relay and with othercountries by leased connections with Moscow international gatewayswitch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnikand 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe(TAE) fiber-optic line
Radio broadcast stations:AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:520,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs fromRussia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)
Televisions:210,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.kg
Internet hosts:12,299 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:152,000 (2002)
Transportation Kyrgyzstan
Railways: total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2003)
Highways:total: 18,500 kmpaved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:600 km (2004)