Irrigated land:320 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridgeconnecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that linksNorth Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People Panama
Population:3,000,463 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.2% (male 461,427; female 443,932)15-64 years: 63.6% (male 967,490; female 940,344)65 years and over: 6.2% (male 88,611; female 98,659) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 25.9 yearsmale: 25.6 yearsfemale: 26.2 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.31% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:20.36 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.39 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.91 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: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.95 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 18.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 23.08 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.14 yearsmale: 69.82 yearsfemale: 74.56 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.49 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Panamanian(s)adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed(West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:Spanish (official), English 14%note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 93.2%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Panama
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Panamaconventional short form: Panamalocal short form: Panamalocal long form: Republica de Panama
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:Panama
Administrative divisions:9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas
Independence:3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28November 1821)
National holiday:Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004
Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts inthe Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004(next to be held 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama willhave only one vice president.note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),PP (Popular Party)election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percentof vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly)or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms; note - In 2009, the number of seats willchange to 71)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, Democratic Change 2, PP 2, PLN 1,other 5note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on aplurality basis while districts located in more populous towns andcities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-basedformulaelections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judgesappointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts ofappeal
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; DemocraticRevolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Partyor PLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement orMOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly theArnulfista Party) [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Popular Party orPP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA];Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council ofOrganized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction andSimilar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterpriseor CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation ofthe Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES,LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT AriasFAX: [1] (202) 483-8416consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampatelephone: [1] (202) 483-1407chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATTembassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,Zona 5, Panama City 5mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002telephone: [507] 207-7000FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag description:divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plainred; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white witha red five-pointed star in the center
Economy Panama
Economy - overview:Panama's dollarised economy rests primarily on a well-developedservices sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Servicesinclude operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone,insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slumpin Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown,and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growthin 2000-03. The government has been backing public works programs,tax reforms, new regional trade agreements, and development oftourism in order to stimulate growth. Unemployment remains at anunacceptably high level.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $18.78 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.1% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.3% industry: 14.7% services: 77.1% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):24.8% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:37% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:48.5 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.4% (2003 est.)
Labor force:1.19 millionnote: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilledlabor (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate:13.8% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.995 billionexpenditures: $3.421 billion, including capital expenditures of $471million (2003 est.)
Public debt:73.3% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock;shrimp
Industries:construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and otherconstruction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:7% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:4.039 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:3.681 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:118 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:43 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:52,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$-408 million (2003)
Exports:$5.237 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)
Exports - partners:US 13.9%, Nigeria 9.8%, Germany 8.1%, South Korea 7.8%, Peru 5.1%,Costa Rica 4.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Japan 4.5% (2003)
Imports:$6.622 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals(1999)
Imports - partners:Japan 33.2%, US 11.4%, China 9.1%, South Korea 7.7%, Singapore 7.1%(2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$1.011 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$8.834 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$197.1 million (1995)
Currency:balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Currency code:PAB; USD
Exchange rates:balboas per US dollar - 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1(1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:386,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:834,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: domestic and international facilities welldevelopeddomestic: NAinternational: country code - 507; 1 coaxial submarine cable;satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected tothe Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations:AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:815,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:38 (including repeaters) (1998)
Televisions:510,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.pa
Internet hosts:7,129 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:120,000 (2002)
Transportation Panama
Railways:total: 355 kmstandard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2003)
Highways:total: 11,400 kmpaved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways)unpaved: 7,456 km (1999)
Waterways:800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2004)
Ports and harbors:Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area),Vacamonte
Merchant marine:total: 4,833 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,960,929 GRT/183,615,337DWTregistered in other countries: 85 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 2, Argentina7, Australia 11, Austria 1, Bahamas 3, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 5,Belize 4, Brazil 4, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 2, Canada 6,Cayman Islands 1, Chile 13, China 286, Colombia 14, Croatia 3, Cuba17, Cyprus 6, Denmark 4, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 16,Equatorial Guinea 1, France 7, Germany 89, Greece 549, Haiti 1,Honduras 2, Hong Kong 288, India 22, Indonesia 44, Iran 1, Ireland2, Israel 4, Italy 7, Japan 1630, Jordan 8, Kenya 1, South Korea349, Kuwait 1, Latvia 11, Liberia 3, Lithuania 2, Luxembourg 1,Malaysia 12, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 3, Mexico 7, Monaco 29,Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, New Zealand 1, Nigeria 6,Norway 86, Oman 1, Pakistan 1, Peru 17, Philippines 41, Poland 12,Portugal 6, Puerto Rico 3, Romania 9, Russia 8, Saint Kitts andNevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Saudi Arabia 6,Singapore 105, South Africa 3, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1,Sweden 4, Switzerland 93, Syria 1, Taiwan 348, Thailand 14, Trinidadand Tobago 1, Turkey 12, Ukraine 2, United Kingdom 51, United States99, Venezuela 4by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 1,434, cargo 819, chemical tanker388, combination bulk 73, combination ore/oil 18, container 613,liquefied gas 190, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large loadcarrier 15, passenger 36, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 514,rail car carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 281, roll on/roll off 125,short-sea/passenger 37, specialized tanker 36, vehicle carrier 242
Airports:103 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 61 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.)
Military Panama
Military branches:an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, butthere are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includesthe Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, andNational Air Service)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 810,341 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 553,422 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$145 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.2% (2003)
Military - note:on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARAabolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus bycreating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama'sLegislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibitingthe creation of a standing military force, but allowing thetemporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of"external aggression"
Transnational Issues Panama
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-launderingcenter for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity isespecially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center;negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financialtransactions is improving; official corruption remains a majorproblem
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Papua New Guinea
Introduction Papua New Guinea
Background:The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest inthe world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, whichoccupied the northern portion during World War I and continued toadminister the combined areas until independence in 1975. Anine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography Papua New Guinea
Location:Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the islandof New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean,east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 462,840 sq kmland: 452,860 sq kmwater: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon(May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0.46% permanent crops: 1.44% other: 98.1% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; thecountry is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mudslides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growingcommercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from miningprojects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements:party to: 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, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largestswamps along southwest coast
People Papua New Guinea
Population:5,420,280 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.3% (male 1,053,940; female 1,019,492)15-64 years: 58% (male 1,622,124; female 1,519,104)65 years and over: 3.8% (male 96,638; female 108,982) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 21 yearsmale: 21.1 yearsfemale: 20.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.3% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:30.52 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 53.15 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 48.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 57.39 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.56 yearsmale: 62.41 yearsfemale: 66.81 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.04 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.6% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:600 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:typhoid fever, dengue fever, malariaoverall degree of risk: very high (2004)
Nationality:noun: Papua New Guinean(s)adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups:Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions:Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/LondonMissionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%,Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs34%
Languages:Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua regionnote: 715 indigenous languages — many unrelated
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 64.6%male: 71.1%female: 57.7% (2002)
Government Papua New Guinea
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guineaconventional short form: Papua New Guineaabbreviation: PNGformer: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Government type:constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Capital:Port Moresby
Administrative divisions:20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands,East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay,Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, SouthernHighlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution:16 September 1975
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June2004)head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2August 2002); deputy prime minister (vacant)cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governorgeneral on the recommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the National Executive Council; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by thegovernor general
Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the Houseof Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 fromprovincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was notcompleted during the June 2002 election period); next to be held notlater than June 2007election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 18%,URP 13%, PDM 12%, PPP 8%, Pangu 6%, PAP 5%, PLP 4%, others 34%;seats by party - National Alliance 19, UPR 14, PDM 13, PPP 8, Pangu6, PAP 5, PLP 4, others 40; note - association with politicalparties is fluid (2003)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governorgeneral on the proposal of the National Executive Council afterconsultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judgesare appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Party [Dr.Banare BUN, party leader];Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL, party leader];National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; GeorgeMANOA, party president]; National Party [Melchior PEP, partyleader]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Chris HAIVETA,party leader]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking DORUBA, partyleader]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA, party leader];Papua New Guinea Party [Sir Mekere MORAUTA, party leader]; People'sAction Party or PAP [Moses MALADINA, party leader]; People's LaborParty or PLP [Ekis ROPENU, party leader]; People's National Congressor PNC [Peter O'NEILL, party leader]; People's Progressive Party orPPP [Andrew BAING, party leader]; Pipol First Party [Luther WENGE,party leader]; Rural People's Party [Peter NAMUS, party leader];United Party [Bire KIMASOPA, party leader]; United Resources Partyor URP [Tim NEVILLE, party leader] (2004)
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF,Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKIFAX: [1] (202) 745-3679telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC20036
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description:divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangleis red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lowertriangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of theSouthern Cross constellation centered
Economy Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, butexploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high costof developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistencelivelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, includingoil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. Theeconomy has faltered over the past four years. Former Prime MinisterMekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions,to stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, toprivatize public enterprises where appropriate, and to ensureongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerablesuccess in attracting international support, specifically gainingthe backing of the IMF and the World Bank in securing developmentassistance loans. Challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE,including curbing inflation, gaining further investor confidence,continuing efforts to privatize government assets, maintaining thesupport of members of Parliament, and balancing relations withAustralia, the former colonial ruler.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $11.48 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.4% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 37.7% services: 28.3% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):13.9% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:37% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:50.9 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):14.7% (2003 est.)
Labor force:3.25 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 85%, industry NA, services NA
Unemployment rate:NA
Budget:revenues: $954.1 millionexpenditures: $996.8 million, including capital expenditures of $344million (2003 est.)
Public debt:72.4% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes,fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork
Industries:copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chipproduction; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oilproduction; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:NA (FY01/02 est.)
Electricity - production:1.496 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.391 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:345.2 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:110 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:110 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:385.5 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$12 million (2003)
Exports:$1.938 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish,prawns
Exports - partners:Australia 25.6%, Japan 7.4%, China 5.8% (2003)
Imports:$967 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,chemicals
Imports - partners:Australia 44.6%, Singapore 20.6%, New Zealand 7.7%, China 5% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$510.5 million (2003)
Debt - external:$2.909 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$400 million (1999 est.)
Currency:kina (PGK)
Currency code:PGK
Exchange rates:kina per US dollar - 3.5635 (2003), 3.8952 (2002), 3.3887 (2001),2.7822 (2000), 2.5708 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:62,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:15,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: services are adequate; facilities provideradiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, andinternational radio communication servicesdomestic: mostly radiotelephoneinternational: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia andGuam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);international radio communication service
Radio broadcast stations:AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)
Radios:410,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2004)
Televisions:59,841 (1999)
Internet country code:.pg
Internet hosts:389 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:75,000 (2002)
Transportation Papua New Guinea
Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:10,940 km (2003)
Pipelines:oil 264 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 47,586 GRT/60,934 DWTforeign-owned: Singapore 2, United Kingdom 6registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 2,container 1, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2
Airports:559 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 212,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 14under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)914 to 1,523 m: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 550 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 478 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 2 (2003 est.)
Military Papua New Guinea
Military branches:Papua New Guinea Defense Force: Ground Force, Maritime OperationsElement, and Air Operations Element
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,403,467 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 775,064 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$16.9 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international:seeks assistance from Australia to control illegal cross-borderactivities from primarily Indonesia, including smuggling, drugtrafficking, and Indonesian squatters and secessionists
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Paracel Islands
Introduction Paracel Islands
Background:The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing groundsand by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochinaannexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China hasoccupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized aSouth Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islandsare claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography Paracel Islands
Location:Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the SouthChina Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to thenorthern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: NA sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: NA sq km
Area - comparative:NA
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:518 km
Maritime claims:NA
Climate:tropical
Terrain:mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:typhoons
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into thenortheast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
People Paracel Islands
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2004 est.)
Government Paracel Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy Paracel Islands
Economy - overview:China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Transportation Paracel Islands
Ports and harbors:small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Islandbeing expanded
Airports:1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Paracel Islands
Military - note: occupied by China
Transnational Issues Paracel Islands
Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Paraguay
Introduction Paraguay
Background:In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguaylost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. Itstagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco Warof 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won fromBolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER wasoverthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in politicalinfighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidentialelections have been held since then.
Geography Paraguay
Location:Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 406,750 sq kmwater: 9,450 sq kmland: 397,300 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the easternportions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain:grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chacoregion west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river,and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Elevation extremes:lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 mhighest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m
Natural resources:hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use: arable land: 7.6% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 92.17% (2001)
Irrigated land:670 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorlydrained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposalpresent health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; populationconcentrated in southern part of country
People Paraguay
Population:6,191,368 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.2% (male 1,201,459; female 1,162,954)15-64 years: 57% (male 1,773,151; female 1,758,323)65 years and over: 4.8% (male 136,376; female 159,105) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 21.1 yearsmale: 20.8 yearsfemale: 21.3 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.51% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:29.78 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:4.58 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 26.67 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 21.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.64 yearsmale: 72.12 yearsfemale: 77.29 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.98 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:220 (2001 est.)
Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant
Languages:Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 94%male: 94.9%female: 93% (2003 est.)
Government Paraguay
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Paraguayconventional short form: Paraguaylocal short form: Paraguaylocal long form: Republica del Paraguay
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:Asuncion
Administrative divisions:17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence:14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 14 May (1811) (observed 15 May annually)
Constitution:promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system:based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicialreview of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April2003 (next to be held NA April 2008)election results: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos elected president; percentof vote - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCOGomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, GuillermoSANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senatorsor Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camarade Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to beheld NA April 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003(next to be held NA April 2008)election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7,PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%;seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, PQ 10, PPS 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judgesappointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejode la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [HerminioCACERES, interim president]; Patria Querida (Beloved FatherlandParty) or PQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento UnionNacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Enrique GONZALEZ Quintana,acting chairman]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Luis TORALESKenney]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio CesarFRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLAPallares]; note - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos on leave as party leader ofthe Colorado Party or ANR while serving as President of Paraguay;Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva, leader of UNACE, is currently serving aten-year prison term
Political pressure groups and leaders:Ahorristas Estafados or AE; Coordinating Table of NationalCampesino Organizations or MCNOC; National Federation of Campesinosor FNC; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan WorkersConfederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Centralor CUT;;
International organization participation:FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer),OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE,UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmersconsulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans,New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 234-4508telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728
Flag description:three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with anemblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblemis different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left)bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within agreen wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all withintwo circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the sealof the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and thewords Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the wordsREPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy Paraguay
Economy - overview:Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector.The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumergoods to neighboring countries as well as the activities ofthousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because ofthe importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measuresare difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the populationderives their living from agricultural activity, often on asubsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a percapita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Mostobservers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance topolitical uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structuralreform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficientinfrastructure.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $28.17 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.8% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,700 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24.8% industry: 23.7% services: 51.4% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):17.2% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:36% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:57.7 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):14.2% (2003 est.)
Labor force:2.15 million (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate:18.5% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $937.8 millionexpenditures: $988.4 million, including capital expenditures of $700million (2003 est.)
Public debt:45.1% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries:sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel,metallurgic, electric power
Industrial production growth rate:0% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:44.89 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:2.637 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:39.11 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$146 million (2003)
Exports:$2.727 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood,leather
Exports - partners:Brazil 34.2%, Uruguay 19.6%, Switzerland 7.8%, Argentina 5.3% (2003)
Imports:$2.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,electrical machinery
Imports - partners:Brazil 32.5%, Argentina 21.6%, China 12.7% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$982 million (2003)
Debt - external:$2.96 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:NA (2001)
Currency:guarani (PYG)
Currency code:PYG
Exchange rates:guarani per US dollar - 6,424.34 (2003), 5,716.26 (2002), 4,105.92(2001), 3,486.35 (2000), 3,119.07 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:273,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,770,300 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switchingcenter is Asunciondomestic: fair microwave radio relay networkinternational: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)
Radios:925,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (2003)
Televisions:990,000 (2001)
Internet country code:.py
Internet hosts:9,243 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):4 (2000)
Internet users:120,000 (2003)
Transportation Paraguay
Railways: total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)
Highways: total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)
Waterways:3,100 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion