Internet country code:.co
Internet hosts:115,158 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):18 (2000)
Internet users:2,732,200 (2003)
Transportation Colombia
Railways:total: 3,304 kmstandard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)
Highways:total: 112,998 kmpaved: 26,000 kmunpaved: 84,000 km (2000)
Waterways:9,187 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 4,360 km; oil 6,134 km; refined products 3,140 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Muelles El Bosque, PuertoBolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo
Merchant marine:total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 35,427 GRT/46,301 DWTby type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker2registered in other countries: 7 (2005)
Airports:980 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 101 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 879 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 272 under 914 m: 572 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Colombia
Military branches:Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes NavalAviation, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza AereaColombiana)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 10,212,456 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 6,986,228 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 389,735 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$3.3 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.4% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Colombia
Disputes - international:Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and againstColombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundaryinvolving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including theArchipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank;dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Los Monjes Islandsnear the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics,guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all of itsneighbors' borders and have created a serious refugee crisis withover 300,000 persons having fled the country, mostly intoneighboring states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 2,730,000 - 3,100,000 (conflict between government and FARC;drug wars) (2004)
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world'sleading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was 144,450hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of opiumbetween 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons; potentialproduction of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the world'slargest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier ofabout 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority ofcocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier ofheroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; asignificant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are eitherlaundered or invested in Colombia through the black market pesoexchange
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Comoros
Introduction Comoros
Background:Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups sincegaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands ofAnjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolvethe secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a newconstitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and anew union president took office in May of 2002.
Geography Comoros
Location:Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of theMozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northernMadagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 2,170 sq kmland: 2,170 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:340 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain:volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use:arable land: 35.87%permanent crops: 23.32%other: 40.81% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); LeKartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Environment - current issues:soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation onslopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
People Comoros
Population:671,247 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.8% (male 144,075/female 143,175)15-64 years: 54.2% (male 179,541/female 184,488)65 years and over: 3% (male 9,407/female 10,561) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 18.61 yearsmale: 18.35 yearsfemale: 18.87 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.91% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:37.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 74.93 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 83.48 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 66.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 61.96 yearsmale: 59.65 yearsfemale: 64.33 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.09 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.12% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Comoran(s)adjective: Comoran
Ethnic groups:Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions:Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages:Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahiliand Arabic)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 56.5%male: 63.6%female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
Government Comoros
Country name:conventional long form: Union of the Comorosconventional short form: Comoroslocal long form: Union des Comoreslocal short form: Comores
Government type:independent republic
Capital:Moroni
Administrative divisions:3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli(Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni,Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Independence:6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution:23 December 2001
Legal system:French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note- following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO wasappointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense andTerritorial Security; the president is both the chief of state andthe head of governmenthead of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002);note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; inJanuary 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO wasappointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense andTerritorial Security; the president is both the chief of state andthe head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidencyrotates every four years among the elected presidents from the threemain islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next tobe held April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note- AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn intooffice in May 2002election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with75% of the vote
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies areselected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the 18 byuniversal suffrage; deputies serve for five years);elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)election results: NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by thepresident, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one electedby the Council of each island, and others are former presidents ofthe republic)
Political parties and leaders:Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. AbdourazakABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; FrontNational pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [AhmedRACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [MahamoudMRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatistmovement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progressor MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et laDemocratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; PartiComorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE];Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of thegovernment) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF,IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to the USand Canada and permanent representative to the UN)chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Union ofthe Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York,NY 10022telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador toMauritius is accredited to Comoros
Flag description:four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and bluewith a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered withinthe triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing thehoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a linebetween the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and thefour stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity ofFrance, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and colorgreen are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy Comoros
Economy - overview:One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of threeislands that have inadequate transportation links, a young andrapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The loweducational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistencelevel of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavydependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, themain staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government -which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling toupgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial andindustrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports,promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate.Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDPgrowth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad helpsupplement GDP.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$441 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.)
Labor force:144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 80%
Unemployment rate:20% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line:60% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $27.6 millionexpenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products:vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas,cassava (tapioca)
Industries:tourism, perfume distillation
Industrial production growth rate:-2% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production:23.84 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:22.17 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$28 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners:US 43.8%, France 18.6%, Singapore 16.5%, Turkey 4.8%, Germany 4.5%(2004)
Imports:$88 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products,cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners:France 23.5%, South Africa 11.1%, Kenya 7.5%, UAE 7.2%, Italy 4.9%,Pakistan 4.7%, Mauritius 4.2%, Singapore 4.1% (2004)
Debt - external:$232 million (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$10 million (2001 est.)
Currency (code):Comoran franc (KMF)
Currency code:KMF
Exchange rates:Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003),522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000)note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677Comoran francs per euro
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Comoros
Telephones - main lines in use:13,200 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HFradiotelephone communication stationsdomestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relayinternational: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communicationsto Madagascar and Reunion
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios:90,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:1,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.km
Internet hosts:11 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:5,000 (2003)
Transportation Comoros
Highways: total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1999 est)
Ports and harbors:Mayotte, Moutsamoudou
Merchant marine:total: 79 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 452,801 GRT/681,343 DWTby type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 55, chemical tanker 1, container 1,livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 5,refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 1foreign-owned: 35 (Bulgaria 1, Germany 1, Greece 7, India 1, Jordan1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 3, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Philippines1, Russia 2, Syria 3, Turkey 6, Ukraine 4, United Kingdom 1) (2005)
Airports:4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Military Comoros
Military branches:Comoran Security Force
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 138,940 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 98,792 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$11.6 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3% (2004)
Transnational Issues Comoros
Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Introduction Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Background:Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congogained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred bypolitical and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized powerand declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. Hesubsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well asthat of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32years through several subsequent sham elections as well as throughthe use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off bya massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda andBurundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by arebellion led by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country theDemocratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), but in August 1998 hisregime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda andUganda. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudanintervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signedin July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda,and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued.Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son JosephKABILA was named head of state. In October 2002, the new presidentwas successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forcesoccupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord wassigned by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting andestablish a government of national unity. A transitional governmentwas set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and isjoined by four vice presidents representing the former government,former rebel groups, and the political opposition.
Geography Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Location:Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Geographic coordinates:0 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 2,345,410 sq kmland: 2,267,600 sq kmwater: 77,810 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 10,730 kmborder countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundaryof Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, CentralAfrican Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km
Coastline:37 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors
Climate:tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drierin southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; northof Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December toFebruary; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dryseason April to October
Terrain:vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110m
Natural resources:cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gemdiamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal,hydropower, timber
Land use:arable land: 2.96%permanent crops: 0.52%other: 96.52% (2001)
Irrigated land:110 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in theeast, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes
Environment - current issues:poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution;deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation,soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - amineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causingenvironmental damage
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, OzoneLayer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls thelower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; densetropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands
People Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Population:60,085,804note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48.1% (male 14,513,779/female 14,396,952)15-64 years: 49.4% (male 14,579,101/female 15,121,297)65 years and over: 2.5% (male 597,776/female 876,099) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 15.8 yearsmale: 15.4 yearsfemale: 16.2 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.98% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:44.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:14.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- andRwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC inAugust 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese internally displacedand caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surroundingcountries (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.01 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 92.87 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 101.25 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 51.1 yearsmale: 49.68 yearsfemale: 52.56 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:4.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1.1 million (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:100,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)
Nationality:noun: Congolese (singular and plural)adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups:over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; thefour largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and theMangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population
Religions:Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%,other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages:French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language),Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala,Kingwana, or Tshilubatotal population: 65.5%male: 76.2%female: 55.1% (2003 est.)
Government Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Country name:conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congoconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republique Democratique du Congolocal short form: noneformer: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville,Congo/Kinshasa, Zaireabbreviation: DROC
Government type:dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representativegovernment
Capital:Kinshasa
Administrative divisions:10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville);Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental,Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu
Independence:30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
National holiday:Independence Day, 30 June (1960)
Constitution:new constitution adopted 17 July 2003
Legal system:based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001);note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent DesireKABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to thepresidency; the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001);note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent DesireKABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to thepresidency; the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the presidentelections: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the presidentwas elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election lastheld 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997);formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by theHigh Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government isdrafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be heldin NA 2005election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Bangareelected president in 1984 without oppositionnote: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA,following the latter's assassination in January 2001, negotiationswith rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitionalgovernment in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held inNA 2005
Legislative branch:a 300-member Transitional Constituent Assembly established inAugust 2000elections: NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly wereappointed by former President Laurent Desire KABILA
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forcesfor Renovation for Union and Solidarity or FONUS [JosephOLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese Lumumbist Movement or MNC [FrancoisLUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR (three factions:MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [FelixVUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga [MANANGA Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified LumumbastParty or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and SocialProgress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union ofFederalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI (two factions:UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO]; UFERI/OR [Adolph Kishwe MAYA])
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW(signatory), PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFUchancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009: note -Consular Office at 1726 M Street, NW, Wasington, DC, 20036telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKSembassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasamailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828telephone: [243] (88) 43608FAX: [243] (88) 43467
Flag description:light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center anda columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars alongthe hoist side
Economy Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Economy - overview:The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nationendowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically sincethe mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, dramaticallyreduced national output and government revenue, increased externaldebt, and resulted in the deaths of perhaps 3.5 million people fromwar, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operationsdue to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack ofinfrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditionsimproved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of theinvading foreign troops. Several IMF and World Bank missions havemet with the government to help it develop a coherent economic plan,and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economicactivity lies outside the GDP data. Economic stability, aided byinternational donors, improved in 2003-04, although an uncertainlegal framework, corruption, and a lack of openness in governmentpolicy continues to hamper growth. In 2005, renewed activity in themining sector, the source of most exports, could boost Kinshasa'sfiscal position and GDP growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$42.74 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.5% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.)
Labor force:14.51 million (1993 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:NA
Unemployment rate:NA (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):14% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $269 millionexpenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24million (1996 est.)
Agriculture - products:coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca),palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products
Industries:mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumerproducts (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foodsand beverages), cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:6.086 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.8% hydro: 98.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:4.168 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:1.5 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:8 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:14,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:1.538 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - proved reserves:104.8 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Exports:$1.417 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt
Exports - partners:Belgium 47.8%, Finland 21%, US 10.9%, China 7.6% (2004)
Imports:$933 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:South Africa 18.5%, Belgium 15.5%, France 10.8%, Kenya 6.3%, US 6%,Germany 5.8% (2004)
Debt - external:$11.6 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$195.3 million (1995)
Currency (code):Congolese franc (CDF)
Currency code:CDF
Exchange rates:Congolese francs per US dollar - 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003),346.49 (2002), 206.62 (2001), 21.82 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Telephones - main lines in use:10,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1 million (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: poordomestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service inand between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earthstationsinternational: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001)
Radios:18.03 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:4 (2001)
Televisions:6.478 million (1997)
Internet country code:.cd
Internet hosts:153 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2001)
Internet users:50,000 (2002)
Transportation Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Railways:total: 5,138 kmnarrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2004)
Highways:total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways)paved: NA kmunpaved: NA km (1999 est.)
Waterways:15,000 km (navigation on the Congo curtailed by fighting) (2004)
Pipelines:gas 54 km; oil 71 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa,Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 1
Airports:230 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 206 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 92 under 914 m: 97 (2004 est.)
Military Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 11,052,696 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 5,851,292 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$93.5 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (2004)
Transnational Issues Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Disputes - international:heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledge to end conflict butunchecked tribal, rebel, and militia fighting continues unabated inthe northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,drawing in the neighboring states of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda; theUN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo(MONUC) has maintained over 14,000 peacekeepers in the region since1999; thousands of Ituri refugees from the Congo continue to fleethe fighting primarily into Uganda; 90,000 Angolan refugees wererepatriated by 2004 with the remainder in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo expected to return in 2005; in 2005, DROC and Rwandaestablished a border verification mechanism to address accusationsof Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the DROCproviding rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and bases toattack Rwandan forces; the location of the boundary in the broadCongo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except inthe Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 45,060 (Sudan) 100,000 (Angola)19,552 (Burundi) 6,626 (Republic of Congo) 19,743 (Rwanda) 18,953(Uganda)IDPs: 2.33 million (fighting between government forces and rebelssince mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2004)
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption;while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves thebanking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of awell-developed financial system limits the country's utility as amoney-laundering center
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Congo, Republic of the
Introduction Congo, Republic of the
Background:Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congobecame the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century ofexperimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and ademocratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civilwar in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, butushered in a period of ethnic unrest. Southern-based rebel groupsagreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm istenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. TheRepublic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producerswith significant potential for offshore development.
Geography Congo, Republic of the
Location:Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angolaand Gabon
Geographic coordinates:1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 342,000 sq kmland: 341,500 sq kmwater: 500 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:total: 5,504 kmborder countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central AfricanRepublic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon1,903 km
Coastline:169 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June toOctober); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularlyenervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain:coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources:petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates,gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 0.51% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 99.36% (2001)
Irrigated land:10 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:seasonal flooding
Environment - current issues:air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from thedumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, oralong the railroad between them
People Congo, Republic of the
Population:3,039,126note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 37.3% (male 571,011/female 563,414)15-64 years: 59% (male 886,297/female 907,348)65 years and over: 3.7% (male 45,799/female 65,257) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 20.7 yearsmale: 20.2 yearsfemale: 21.1 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.31% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:27.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:14.82 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.01 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 92.41 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 98.48 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 86.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 52.26 yearsmale: 51.17 yearsfemale: 53.39 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:4.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:90,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:9,700 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne disease: malaria (2004)
Nationality:noun: Congolese (singular and plural)adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups:Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespreaddestruction of foreign businesses in 1997
Religions:Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages:French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca tradelanguages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo isthe most widespread)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 83.8%male: 89.6%female: 78.4% (2003 est.)
Government Congo, Republic of the
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Congoconventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)local long form: Republique du Congolocal short form: noneformer: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
Government type:republic
Capital:Brazzaville
Administrative divisions:10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza,Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala,Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence:15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution:approved by referendum 20 January 2002
Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected presidentPascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected presidentPascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March2002 (next to be held NA 2009)election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percentof vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU2.7%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the NationalAssembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held July2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (nextto be held by NA May 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote byparty - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:the most important of the many parties are the Democratic andPatriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for AlternativeDemocracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party,National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for theNational Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [DenisSASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy andIntegral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Unionfor Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracyand Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA,president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [RaymondDamasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [leaderNA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of CongolesePupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Womenor URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULIchancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Roger A. MEECEembassy: NAmailing address: NAtelephone: [243] (88) 43608note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy inthe Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)
Flag description:divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; theupper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red;uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy Congo, Republic of the
Economy - overview:The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, anindustrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and agovernment characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oilhas supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing amajor share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s,rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to financelarge-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5%annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government hasmortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing toa shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of FrancZone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, butinflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued withthe support of international organizations, notably the World Bankand the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 whencivil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power whenthe war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in movingforward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewingcooperation with international financial institutions. However,economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and theresumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened therepublic's budget deficit. The current administration presides overan uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges ofstimulating recovery and reducing poverty.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$2.324 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 7.4%industry: 52%services: 40.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force:NA
Unemployment rate:NA (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.8% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):25.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $870.1 millionexpenditures: $1.102 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee,cocoa; forest products
Industries:petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil,soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate:0% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:348 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.3% hydro: 99.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:573.6 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:250 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:227,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:93.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:495.5 million cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$266 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$2.224 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)