Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 81,245 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$654 million (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Serbia and Montenegro
Disputes - international:the future status of Kosovo remains an unresolved issue in SouthCentral Europe with Kosovo Albanians overwhelmingly supporting andSerbian officials opposing Kosovo independence; the internationalcommunity has agreed to begin a process to determine final statusonly after significant progress has been made in solidifyingmulti-ethnic democracy in Kosovo as outlined in the policy of"standards before status"; the Contact group (including the US, UK,France, Germany, Italy, and Russia) will review progress on theUNMIK standard around mid-2005; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo resistdemarcation of the F.Y.R.O.M. boundary in accordance with the 2000delimitation treaty, which transfers on net a small amount of landto F.Y.R.O.M.; Serbia and Montenegro have delimited about half ofthe boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along theDrina River remain in dispute
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 99,170 (Bosnia), 188,656 (Croatia)IDPs: 225,000 (mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999)(2004)
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to WesternEurope on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Seychelles
Introduction Seychelles
Background:A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islandsended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence camein 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a newconstitution and free elections in 1993. The most recentpresidential elections were held 31 August-2 September 2001.President RENE, who has served since 1977, was re-elected. On 14April 2004 RENE stepped down and Vice President James MICHEL wassworn in as president.
Geography Seychelles
Location:Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates:4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 455 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 455 sq km
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:491 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon(late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon(March to May)
Terrain:Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; othersare coral, flat, elevated reefs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources:fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:arable land: 2.22%permanent crops: 13.33%other: 84.45% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; shortdroughts possible
Environment - current issues:water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
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 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
People Seychelles
Population:80,832 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.9% (male 10,987; female 10,717)15-64 years: 66.9% (male 26,380; female 27,731)65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,638; female 3,379) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 27.3 yearsmale: 26.2 yearsfemale: 28.4 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.45% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:16.55 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-5.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 15.97 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 20.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.53 yearsmale: 66.1 yearsfemale: 77.14 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.77 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups:mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Religions:Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other4.1%
Languages:English (official), French (official), Creole
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 58%male: 56%female: 60% (1971 est.)
Government Seychelles
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Seychellesconventional short form: Seychelles
Government type:republic
Capital:Victoria
Administrative divisions:23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, AnseEtoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, BeauVallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe),Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, MontBuxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, SaintLouis, Takamaka
Independence:29 June 1976 (from UK)
National holiday:Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Constitution:18 June 1993
Legal system:based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Suffrage:17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA2006)election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percentof vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO)44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time thatpresidential elections have been held separately from legislativeelections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and VicePresident James MICHEL was sworn in as presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidenthead of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis toparties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-yearterms)elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next held by 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%,DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to thepercentage that each party won of the total vote
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts areappointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE]; MouvementSeychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL]; Seychelles NationalParty or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [WavelRAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [FranceAlbert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party
Political pressure groups and leaders:Roman Catholic Church; trade unions
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador toMauritius is accredited to the Seychelles
Flag description:five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, andgreen (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Economy Seychelles
Economy - overview:Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Oceanarchipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the oldnear-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector,which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent yearsthe government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgradehotels and other services. At the same time, the government hasmoved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting thedevelopment of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. Asharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Other issues facing thegovernment are the curbing of the budget deficit, including thecontainment of social welfare costs, and further privatization ofpublic enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2002, due to sluggishtourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates andthe scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economicprospects. The black market value of the Seychelles rupee is halfthe official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currencythe tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seekcheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $626 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 28.7% services: 68.9% (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):39.1% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (2003 est.)
Labor force:30,900 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 10%, industry 19%, services 71% (1989)
Unemployment rate:NA
Budget:revenues: $338.7 millionexpenditures: $323.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2003 est.)
Public debt:129.3% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca),bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish
Industries:fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconutfiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:160 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:148.8 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$-73 million (2003)
Exports:$250 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products(reexports)
Exports - partners:UK 38.8%, France 31.8%, Italy 14.5%, Germany 7.5% (2003)
Imports:$383.7 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:Saudi Arabia 15.7%, South Africa 10.9%, Spain 10.4%, France 9.7%,Italy 9.2%, Singapore 7%, UK 6.8% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$66 million (2003)
Debt - external:$213 million (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$16.4 million (1995)
Currency:Seychelles rupee (SCR)
Currency code:SCR
Exchange rates:Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.4007 (2003), 5.48 (2002),5.8575 (2001), 5.7138 (2000), 5.3426 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Seychelles
Telephones - main lines in use:21,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:54,500 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: effective systemdomestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in thearchipelagointernational: country code - 248; direct radiotelephonecommunications with adjacent island countries and African coastalcountries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:42,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:11,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sc
Internet hosts:264 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:11,700 (2002)
Transportation Seychelles
Highways: total: 373 km paved: 315 km unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.)
Ports and harbors:Victoria
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 42,223 GRT/63,538 DWTforeign-owned: Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 2 (2004est.)by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, container 1
Airports:15 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 7914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)
Military Seychelles
Military branches:Army, Coast Guard (including Navy Wing, Air Wing), National Guard,Presidential Protection Unit (includes Presidential Guard),Seychelles National Police (includes Police Mobile Unit)
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 23,661 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 11,712 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$11.6 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.8% (2003)
Transnational Issues Seychelles
Disputes - international: together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Sierra Leone
Introduction Sierra Leone
Background:The 1991 to 2002 civil war between the government and theRevolutionary United Front (RUF) resulted in tens of thousands ofdeaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well overone-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees inneighboring countries. With the support of the UN peacekeeping forceand contributions from the World Bank and international community,demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces(CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held inMay 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish itsauthority. However, the gradual withdrawal of most UN Mission inSierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers in 2004 and early 2005,deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and thetenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may presentchallenges to the continuation of Sierra Leone's stability.
Geography Sierra Leone
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guineaand Liberia
Geographic coordinates:8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 71,740 sq kmland: 71,620 sq kmwater: 120 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winterdry season (December to April)
Terrain:coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, uplandplateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources:diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use: arable land: 6.98% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:290 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December toFebruary); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment - current issues:rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvestingof timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burnagriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion;civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year,making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
People Sierra Leone
Population:5,883,889 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,291,621; female 1,343,827)15-64 years: 52% (male 1,458,610; female 1,599,109)65 years and over: 3.2% (male 91,232; female 99,490) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 17.5 yearsmale: 17.2 yearsfemale: 17.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.27% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:43.34 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:20.62 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowlyreturning (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 145.24 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 127.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 162.64 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 42.69 yearsmale: 40.23 yearsfemale: 45.21 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.79 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:7% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:170,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:11,000 (2001 est.)
Major infectious diseases:typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fever, Lassa fever, schistosomiasisoverall degree of risk: very high (2004)
Nationality:noun: Sierra Leonean(s)adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic groups:20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%),Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who weresettled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugeesfrom Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans,Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians
Religions:Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages:English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende(principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular inthe north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants offreed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, alingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population butunderstood by 95%)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende,Temne, or Arabictotal population: 31.4%male: 45.4%female: 18.2% (1995 est.)
Government Sierra Leone
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leoneconventional short form: Sierra Leone
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:Freetown
Administrative divisions:3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence:27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Legal system:based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996,reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both thechief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with theapproval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsibleto the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note -president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year termselection results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent ofvote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; membersserve five-year terms)elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:All People's Congress or APC [Ben KANU]; Peace and Liberation Partyor PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; Sierra LeonePeople's Party or SLPP [Sama BANYA]; numerous others
Political pressure groups and leaders:Trade Unions and Student Unions
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARAFAX: [1] (202) 483-1793telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Russell CHAVEAS embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and lightblue
Economy Sierra Leone
Economy - overview:Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendousinequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral,agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic andsocial infrastructure is not well developed, and serious socialdisorders continue to hamper economic development, following a11-year civil war. About two-thirds of the working-age populationengages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly ofthe processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for thedomestic market. Plans continue to reopen bauxite and rutile minesshut down during the conflict. The major source of hard currencyconsists of the mining of diamonds. The fate of the economy dependsupon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt ofsubstantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severetrade imbalance and to supplement government revenues.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $3.057 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.5% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $500 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 68% (1989 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.6% (1989)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:62.9 (1989)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1% (2002 est.)
Labor force:1.369 million (1981 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA
Unemployment rate:NA
Budget:revenues: $96 millionexpenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry,cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Industries:mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles,cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:250.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:232.6 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$49 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999)
Exports - partners:Belgium 61.2%, Germany 14.2%, UK 4.5%, US 4.5% (2003)
Imports:$264 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants,chemicals (1995)
Imports - partners:Germany 23.7%, UK 9.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.4%, France 7.4%, US 5.3%,Netherlands 5.1%, Ukraine 4.6% (2003)
Debt - external:$1.5 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$103 million (2001 est.)
Currency:leone (SLL)
Currency code:SLL
Exchange rates:leones per US dollar - 2,347.94 (2003), 2,099.03 (2002), 1,986.15(2001), 2,092.12 (2000), 1,804.19 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sierra Leone
Telephones - main lines in use:24,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:67,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph servicedomestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connectsFreetown to Bo and Kenemainternational: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)
Radios:1.12 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1999)
Televisions:53,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sl
Internet hosts:277 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2001)
Internet users:8,000 (2002)
Transportation Sierra Leone
Highways: total: 11,330 km paved: 895 km unpaved: 10,435 km (1999)
Waterways:800 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine:total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWTby type: cargo 2 (2004 est.)
Airports:10 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 9under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)914 to 1,523 m: 7
Heliports:2 (2003 est.)
Military Sierra Leone
Military branches:Army (RSLAF)
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,265,140 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 614,338 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$11.7 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (2003)
Transnational Issues Sierra Leone
Disputes - international:domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups, warlords, and youthgangs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have createdinsurgencies, street violence, looting, arms trafficking, ethnicconflicts, and refugees in border areas; in 2003, Guinea and SierraLeone established a boundary commission to resolve a dispute overthe town of Yenga
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 67,000 (Liberia) (2004)
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Singapore
Introduction Singapore
Background:Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. Itjoined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two yearslater and became independent. It subsequently became one of theworld's most prosperous countries with strong international tradinglinks (its port is the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled)and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations ofWestern Europe.
Geography Singapore
Location:Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 692.7 sq kmwater: 10 sq kmland: 682.7 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:193 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, asdefined in treaties and practice
Climate:tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons -Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoonfrom June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and earlyevening thunderstorms
Terrain:lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchmentarea and nature preserve
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 mhighest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources:fish, deepwater ports
Land use:arable land: 1.64%permanent crops: 0%other: 98.36% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources;limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonalsmoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People Singapore
Population:4,353,893 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.5% (male 370,660; female 345,713)15-64 years: 75.8% (male 1,611,502; female 1,687,048)65 years and over: 7.8% (male 149,452; female 189,518) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 36.2 yearsmale: 35.9 yearsfemale: 36.6 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.71% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:9.63 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:4.05 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:11.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 2.28 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 2.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 2.49 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 81.53 yearsmale: 78.96 yearsfemale: 84.29 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.04 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:4,100 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Singaporean(s)adjective: Singapore
Ethnic groups:Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4%
Religions:Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh,Taoist, Confucianist
Languages:Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil(official), English (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.5%male: 96.6%female: 88.6% (2002)
Government Singapore
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Singaporeconventional short form: Singapore
Government type:parliamentary republic
Capital:Singapore
Administrative divisions:none
Independence:9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National holiday:Independence Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution:3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State ofSingapore Constitution)
Legal system:based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1September 1999)head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004);Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy PrimeMinisters Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004) and Tony TANKeng Yam (since 1 August 1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible toParliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held by August 2005);following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party orthe leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed primeminister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by thepresidentelection results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected presidentunopposed
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote toserve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to ninenominated members; the losing opposition candidate who came closestto winning a seat may be appointed as a "nonconstituency" memberelections: last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held not later than25 June 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 75.3% (in contestedconstituencies), other 24.7%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SPP 1
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with theadvice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by thepresident with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:governing party: People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong];opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [LING HowDong]; National Solidarity Party or NSP [vacant] (SDA group);Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong] (includes SPP,PKMS, NSP, SJP); Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan];Singapore Justice Party or SJP [Desmond LIM] (SDA group); SingaporeNational Malay Organization or PKMS [Malik ISMAIL] (SDA group);Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong] (SDA group);Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia Lim Swee LIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee consulate(s): New York consulate(s) general: San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin L. LAVIN embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoistside of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closedportion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five whitefive-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy Singapore
Economy - overview:Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market economy,enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stableprices, and a high per capita GDP. The economy depends heavily onexports, particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hardhit in 2001-03 by the global recession and the slump in thetechnology sector. The government hopes to establish a new growthpath that will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle butis unlikely to abandon efforts to establish Singapore as SoutheastAsia's financial and high-tech hub. Fiscal stimulus, low interestrates, and global economic recovery should lead to much improvedgrowth in 2004.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $109.4 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.1% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $23,700 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: negligible industry: 32.2% services: 67.8% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):24.9% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force:2.2 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 18%, construction 6%, transportation and communication 11%, financial, business, and other services 49%, other 16% (2003)
Unemployment rate:4.8% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $14.15 billionexpenditures: $15.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.6billion (2003 est.)
Public debt:106.4% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables, poultry, eggs, fish,ornamental fish
Industries:electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment,petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processedfood and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction,life sciences, entrepot trade
Industrial production growth rate:2.8% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:30.48 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:28.35 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:700,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:2.5 billion cu m: Note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$26.15 billion (2003)
Exports:$142.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods,chemicals, mineral fuels
Exports - partners:Malaysia 15.8%, US 14.3%, Hong Kong 10%, China 7%, Japan 6.7%,Taiwan 4.7%, Thailand 4.3%, South Korea 4.2% (2003)
Imports:$121.6 billion (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Malaysia 16.8%, US 14.1%, Japan 12%, China 8.7%, Taiwan 5.1%,Thailand 4.3% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$95.75 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$15.06 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency:Singapore dollar (SGD)
Currency code:SGD
Exchange rates:Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002),1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000), 1.695 (1999)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Singapore
Telephones - main lines in use:1,896,100 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3,521,800 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent servicedomestic: excellent domestic facilitiesinternational: country code - 65; submarine cables to Malaysia(Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines;satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 PacificOcean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 17, shortwave 2 (2003)
Radios:2.6 million (2000)
Television broadcast stations:7 (2003)
Televisions:1.33 million (1997)
Internet country code:.sg
Internet hosts:484,825 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):9 (2000)
Internet users:2.31 million (2002)
Transportation Singapore
Highways:total: 3,066 kmpaved: 3,066 km (including 150 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (1999)
Pipelines:gas 139 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Singapore
Merchant marine:total: 900 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,065,290 GRT/36,393,317 DWTregistered in other countries: 383 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Australia 6, China 15, Denmark 32, Germany 18, Greece12, Hong Kong 31, India 3, Indonesia 33, Japan 58, South Korea 13,Malaysia 31, Monaco 19, Norway 53, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines9, Russia 2, Slovenia 1, Sweden 12, Switzerland 5, Taiwan 44,Tanzania 1, Thailand 16, United Kingdom 15, United States 1by type: bulk 136, cargo 84, chemical tanker 96, combination bulk 4,combination ore/oil 8, container 186, liquefied gas 41, livestockcarrier 3, multi-functional large load carrier 2, petroleum tanker290, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5, short-sea/passenger1, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 32
Airports:9 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Singapore
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation to be reduced to 24 months from 30 months beginning December 2004 (June 2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,292,471 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 934,317 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4.47 billion (FY01 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.9% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Singapore
Disputes - international:disputes with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore,Singapore's land reclamation works, bridge construction, maritimeboundaries, and Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih persist -parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years
Illicit drugs:as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore isvulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as atransit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for moneylaundering
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Slovakia
Introduction Slovakia
Background:In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to formCzechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakiabecame a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Sovietinfluence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more becamefree. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of2004.
Geography Slovakia
Location:Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates:48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 48,845 sq kmwater: 45 sq kmland: 48,800 sq km
Area - comparative:about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:total: 1,524 kmborder countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands inthe south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Bodrok River 94 mhighest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources:brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper andmanganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use: arable land: 30.16% permanent crops: 2.62% other: 67.22% (2001)
Irrigated land:1,740 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human healthrisks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; theTatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakesand valleys
People Slovakia
Population:5,423,567 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.5% (male 485,523; female 463,173)15-64 years: 70.8% (male 1,908,425; female 1,929,861)65 years and over: 11.7% (male 239,081; female 397,504) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 35.1 yearsmale: 33.5 yearsfemale: 36.9 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.14% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:10.57 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2004 est.)