Merchant marine:total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 31,667 GRT/30,826 DWTregistered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)by type: cargo 14, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 3, rollon/roll off 3foreign-owned: Argentina 2, Japan 1
Airports:880 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 12over 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 8661,524 to 2,437 m: 26914 to 1,523 m: 323under 914 m: 517 (2004 est.)
Military Paraguay
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,504,407 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,084,087 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 63,386 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$52.7 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.9% (2003)
Transnational Issues Paraguay
Disputes - international:unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay bordersis locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking,and fundraising for extremist organizations
Illicit drugs:major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which isconsumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country forAndean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets,Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity,especially in the Tri-Border Area
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Peru
Introduction Peru
Background:Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andeancivilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire wascaptured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independencewas declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824.After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democraticleadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growthof a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in theeconomy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity.Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarianmeasures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mountingdissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a thirdterm in the spring of 2000, but international pressure andcorruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November ofthat year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in thespring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head ofgovernment; his presidency has been hampered by allegations ofcorruption.
Geography Peru
Location:Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, betweenChile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates:10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 1,285,220 sq kmwater: 5,220 sq kmland: 1.28 million sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:total: 5,536 kmborder countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline:2,414 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate tofrigid in Andes
Terrain:western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources:copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 2.89% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 96.71% (2001)
Irrigated land:11,950 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is theultimate source of the Amazon River
People Peru
Population:27,544,305 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32.1% (male 4,496,146; female 4,340,580)15-64 years: 62.8% (male 8,709,098; female 8,594,351)65 years and over: 5.1% (male 660,734; female 743,396) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 24.6 yearsmale: 24.4 yearsfemale: 24.9 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.39% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:21.27 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.05 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: 1.01 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 32.95 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 30.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 35.57 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.22 yearsmale: 67.48 yearsfemale: 71.03 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.61 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:82,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:4,200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Peruvian(s)adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups:Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%
Languages:Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large numberof minor Amazonian languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90.9%male: 95.2%female: 86.8% (2003 est.)
Government Peru
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Peruconventional short form: Perulocal long form: Republica del Perulocal short form: Peru
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:Lima
Administrative divisions:24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas,Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco,Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima,Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin,Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayalinote: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peruis implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmentalauthority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chosetheir new regional presidents and other regional leaders; theauthority that the regional government will exercise has not yetbeen clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions overthe course of several years
Independence:28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:31 December 1993
Legal system:based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note- members of the military may not vote
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by theconstitution, First Vice President (vacant) and Second VicePresident David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for bythe constitution, First Vice President (vacant) and Second VicePresident David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003)does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of thepresidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique electedpresident in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDOManrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch:unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de laRepublica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%,APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats byparty - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others17elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges areappointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)
Political parties and leaders:Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP (also referred to by its originalname Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA) [AlanGARCIA]; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERAVega]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano];Peru Posible or PP [David WAISMAN]; Popular Action or AP [JavierDIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP[Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]
Political pressure groups and leaders:leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMANReynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; TupacAmaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
International organization participation:APEC, CAN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur(associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW,PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo FERRERO Costachancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles,Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington(DC)FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLEembassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),APO AA 34031-5000telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037
Flag description:three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and redwith the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of armsfeatures a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source ofquinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, allframed by a green wreath
Economy Peru
Economy - overview:Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastalregion, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands borderingColombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in themountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellentfishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metalssubjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack ofinfrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years ofinconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy was one ofthe fastest growing in Latin America in 2002 and 2003, growing by 5%and 4%, respectively, with the exchange rate stable and an annualinflation lower than 2%. Foreign direct investment also was strong,thanks to the ongoing Camisea natural gas pipeline project(scheduled to begin operations in 2004) and investments in goldmining. Risk premiums on Peruvian bonds on secondary markets reachedhistorically low levels in late 2003, reflecting investor optimismand the government's fiscal restraint. Despite the strongmacroeconomic performance, political intrigue and allegations ofcorruption continued to swirl in 2003, with the TOLEDOadministration growing increasingly unpopular, and local and foreignconcern rising that the political turmoil could place the country'shard-won fiscal and financial stability at risk. Moreover, as oflate 2003, unemployment had yet to respond to the strong growth ineconomic activity, owing in part to rigid labor market regulationsthat act as an impediment to hiring.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $146 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $5,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 27% services: 65% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):17.7% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:54% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.4% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:46.2 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3% (2003 est.)
Labor force:8.63 million (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.9%, mining and quarrying 0.4%, manufacturing 12.6%, construction 5.3%, commerce 26.3%, household work 4.9%, other services 44.6% (2004)
Unemployment rate:9.7%; widespread underemployment (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $15.86 billionexpenditures: $17.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6billion (2003 est.)
Public debt:49.2% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains,coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Industries:mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, foodprocessing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metalfabrication
Industrial production growth rate:2% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:20.59 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:19.15 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:614.7 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:370 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:370 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:245.1 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-1.116 billion (2003)
Exports:$8.954 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum andbyproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton
Exports - partners:US 27.1%, UK 12.4%, China 7.7%, Switzerland 7.6%, Chile 4.7%, Japan4.4% (2003)
Imports:$8.244 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron andsteel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:US 28.6%, Spain 10%, Chile 7.5%, Brazil 5.1%, Colombia 4.5% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$10.24 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$29.95 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$895.1 million (1995)
Currency:nuevo sol (PEN)
Currency code:PEN
Exchange rates:nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.4785 (2003), 3.5165 (2002), 3.5068(2001), 3.49 (2000), 3.3833 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Peru
Telephones - main lines in use:1,839,200 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,908,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate for most requirementsdomestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domesticsatellite system with 12 earth stationsinternational: country code - 51; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)
Radios:6.65 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:3.06 million (1997)
Internet country code:.pe
Internet hosts:65,868 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):10 (2000)
Internet users:2.85 million (2003)
Transportation Peru
Railways:total: 3,462 kmstandard gauge: 2,962 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 500 km 0.914-m gauge (2003)
Highways:total: 72,900 kmpaved: 9,331 kmunpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:8,808 kmnote: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 kmof Lago Titicaca (2004)
Pipelines:gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguasnote: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reachesof the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,666 GRT/17,611 DWTforeign-owned: United States 1registered in other countries: 19 (2004 est.)by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1
Airports:233 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 182 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 99 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2003 est.)
Military Peru
Military branches:Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includesNaval Air, Naval Infantry, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aereadel Peru; FAP)
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 7,374,187 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 4,938,512 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 277,931 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$829.4 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.3% (2003)
Transnational Issues Peru
Disputes - international:Bolivia has reanimated its claim to restore the Atacama corridorceded to Chile and adjoining Peru in 1884 to secure sovereignmaritime assess for Bolivian natural gas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenouspeasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2004)
Illicit drugs:until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opiumproducer; cultivation of coca in Peru fell 15 percent to 31,150hectares between 2002 and the end of 2003; much of the cocaine baseis shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine,while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to theinternational drug market; increasing amounts of base and finishedcocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use inthe Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Philippines
Introduction Philippines
Background:The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16thcentury; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following theSpanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became aself-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President andwas tasked with preparing the country for independence after a10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japaneseoccupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought togetherduring 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippinesattained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOSended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him intoexile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency washampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to fullpolitical stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS waselected president in 1992 and his administration was marked bygreater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the USclosed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA waselected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president,Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after Estrada's stormyimpeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespreaddemonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to asix-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threatsfrom armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separtists in thesouth.
Geography Philippines
Location:Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and theSouth China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 300,000 sq kmwater: 1,830 sq kmland: 298,170 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:36,289 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm fromcoastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has alsoclaimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm inbreadthcontinental shelf: to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwestmonsoon (May to October)
Terrain:mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources:timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use:arable land: 18.95%permanent crops: 16.77%other: 64.28% (2001)
Irrigated land:15,500 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five tosix cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
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: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorablylocated in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies:the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, andLuzon Strait
People Philippines
Population:86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35.8% (male 15,758,255; female 15,152,291)15-64 years: 60.2% (male 25,847,345; female 26,096,211)65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,473,873; female 1,913,722) (2004est.)
Median age: total: 22.1 years male: 21.6 years female: 22.6 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.88% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:25.8 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.5 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 24.24 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 27.11 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.6 yearsmale: 66.74 yearsfemale: 72.61 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.22 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:9,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Filipino(s)adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions:Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages:two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon orIlonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 92.5%female: 92.7% (2002)
Government Philippines
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Philippinesconventional short form: Philippineslocal long form: Republika ng Pilipinaslocal short form: Pilipinas
Government type:republic
Capital:Manila
Administrative divisions:79 provinces and 116 chartered cities: provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, CamarinesNorte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, EasternSamar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela,Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte,Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, MindoroOriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province,Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon,Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, SouthCotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte,Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte,Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay: chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, GeneralSantos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc,Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay,Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, SanCarlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), SanFernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, SanJose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay,Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran,Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan,Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga
Independence:12 June 1898 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 12 June (1898)note: 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence fromSpain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US
Constitution:2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentelections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms;election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYOelected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of theCommission of Appointments
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at largeby popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 membersrepresenting districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; memberselected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - theConstitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having morethan 250 members)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas7, LP 3, KNP 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there are 23 ratherthan 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected VicePresident; 14 senators are pro-government, 9 are in opposition;House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11, others 20; party-listers24; note - there are 211 rather than 212 sitting representativesbecause one was appointed Secretary of Tourism (2004)elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004(next to be held in May 2007)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on therecommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court forhearing corruption cases of government officials)
Political parties and leaders:Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) orLDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union ofChristian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president; GloriaMACAPAGAL-ARROYO, chairperson]; Liberal Party or LP [FranklinDRILON, president; Jose ATIENZA, JR., chairman]; National People'sCoalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SANJUAN, president]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, president]; Pwersang Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [JosephESTRADA, president; Juan Ponce ENRILE, chairman]; Aksyon DemokratikoParty [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman];PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR,president]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO,president}
Political pressure groups and leaders:AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and RisaHONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and RafaelMARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)[Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; BayanMuna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.];BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep.Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA[Rep. Liza MAZA}; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)
International organization participation:APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS(observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIOchancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, SanFrancisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)consulate(s): honorary consuls in Ft. Lauderdale and HoustonFAX: [1] (202) 328-7614telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONEembassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manilamailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000telephone: [63] (2) 523-6300FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a whiteequilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of thetriangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containingthree individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a smallyellow five-pointed star
Economy Philippines
Economy - overview:The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financialcrisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annualremittances of $6-7 billion from overseas workers. From a 0.6%decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000, butslowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic slowdown,an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDP growthaccelerated to 4.4% in 2002 and 4.2% in 2003, reflecting thecontinued resilience of the service sector, gains in industrialoutput, and improved exports. Nonetheless, it will take a higher,sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in povertyalleviation given the Philippines' high annual population growthrate and unequal distribution of income. The MACAPAGAL-ARROYOAdministration has promised to continue economic reforms to help thePhilippines match the pace of development in the newlyindustrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includesimproving the infrastructure, strengthening tax collection tobolster government revenues, furthering deregulation andprivatization of the economy, enhancing the viability of thefinancial system, and increasing trade integration with the region.Prospects for 2004 will depend on the economic performance of twomajor trading partners, the US and Japan, and on increasedconfidence on the part of the international investment community.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $390.7 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.5% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.5% industry: 32.3% services: 53.2% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):18.1% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:40% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 38.4% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:48.1 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.1% (2003 est.)
Labor force:34.56 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:11.4% (2003)
Budget:revenues: $11.56 billionexpenditures: $15.25 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.4million NA (2003)
Public debt:77% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes,pork, eggs, beef, fish
Industries:electronics assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, woodproducts, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:-0.1% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:45.21 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:42.04 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:164 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:10 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:10 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:104.6 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$3.349 billion (2003)
Exports:$34.56 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,coconut products, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 20.1%, Japan 15.9%, Hong Kong 8.5%, Netherlands 8.1%, Taiwan6.9%, Malaysia 6.8%, Singapore 6.7%, China 5.9% (2003)
Imports:$35.97 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:Japan 20.4%, US 19.8%, Singapore 6.8%, South Korea 6.4%, Taiwan 5%,China 4.8%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$16.87 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$57.96 billion (2003)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA commitments, $1.2 billion (2002)
Currency:Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency code:PHP
Exchange rates:Philippine pesos per US dollar - 54.2033 (2003), 51.6036 (2002),50.9926 (2001), 44.1922 (2000), 39.089 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:3,310,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:15.201 million (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarinecable services; domestic and inter-island service adequatedomestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stationsinternational: country code - 63; 9 international gateways;satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 PacificOcean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, andJapan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2004)
Radios:11.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)
Televisions:3.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ph
Internet hosts:38,440 (2002)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):33 (2000)
Internet users:3.5 million (2002)
Transportation Philippines
Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2003)
Highways: total: 201,994 km paved: 42,419 km unpaved: 159,575 km (2000)
Waterways: 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m (2004)
Pipelines:gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan,Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando,Subic Bay, Zamboanga
Merchant marine:total: 385 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,524,259 GRT/6,437,171 DWTforeign-owned: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 2, Greece 11, HongKong 15, Japan 50, Malaysia 5, Netherlands 15, Norway 6, Panama 1,United Kingdom 2, United States 4registered in other countries: 87 (2004 est.)by type: bulk 99, cargo 103, chemical tanker 7, combination bulk 7,container 8, liquefied gas 9, livestock carrier 10, passenger 4,passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 45, refrigerated cargo 21, rollon/roll off 16, short-sea/passenger 26, specialized tanker 1,vehicle carrier 19
Airports:253 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 100 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 2 (2003 est.)
Military Philippines
Military branches:Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes CoastGuard and Marine Corps), Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 22,435,982 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 15,780,602 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 851,009 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$995 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnamand possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands, known locally as theKalayaan (Freedom) Islands, the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions but falls shortof a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of thedisputants; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's SabahState in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's grantingthe Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereigntyclaim
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 150,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and AbuSayyaf groups) (2004)
Illicit drugs:exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, theUS, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroinand crystal methamphetamine; domestic methamphetamine production isa growing problem; remains on Financial Action Task ForceNon-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued failureto address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Pitcairn Islands
Introduction Pitcairn Islands
Background:Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settledin 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the SouthPacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned thepopulation from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.
Geography Pitcairn Islands
Location:Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway betweenPeru and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 47 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 47 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:51 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainyseason (November to March)
Terrain:rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources:miro trees (used for handicrafts), fishnote: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have beendiscovered offshore
Land use:arable land: NApermanent crops: NAother: NA (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment - current issues:deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remainsbecause of burning and clearing for settlement)
Geography - note:Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island ofPitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; suppliesmust be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationedoffshore
People Pitcairn Islands
Population: 46 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate:-0.013% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:NA
Infant mortality rate:total: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NA yearsmale: NA yearsfemale: NA years
Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups:descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Religions:Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century Englishdialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Literacy:NA
Government Pitcairn Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islandsconventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:Adamstown
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; furtherrefined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system:local island by-laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL (since NADecember 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JACQUES (sinceNovember 2003); serves as liaison between the governor and theIsland Councilelection results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of theIsland Councilelections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner andcommissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected bypopular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004(next to be held December 2007)head of government: mayor and chairman of the Island Council JayWARREN (since 15 December 2004)cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 elected by popular vote, 1nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governorincluding 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and acommissioner liaising between the governor and council; electedmembers serve one-year terms)elections: last held 24 December 2003 (next to be held 24 December2004)election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:Island Court (island magistrate, appointed by the governor,presides over the court)
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of theflag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with ashield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy Pitcairn Islands
Economy - overview:The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing,subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertilesoil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits andvegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The majorsources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors andthe sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
GDP:purchasing power parity - NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - NA
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NAindustry: NAservices: NA
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA
Labor force:12 able-bodied men (1997)
Labor force - by occupation:no business community in the usual sense; some public works;subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate:NA
Budget:revenues: $729,900expenditures: $878,100, including capital expenditures of NA(FY94/95 est.)
Agriculture - products:wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens