Natural gas - imports:85.02 billion cu m (2003)
Natural gas - proved reserves:293 billion cu m (1 January 2004)
Current account balance:$73.59 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$893.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures,foodstuffs, textiles
Exports - partners:France 10.3%, US 8.8%, UK 8.3%, Italy 7.2%, Netherlands 6.2%,Belgium 5.6%, Austria 5.4%, Spain 5% (2004)
Imports:$716.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals
Imports - partners:France 9%, Netherlands 8.3%, US 7%, Italy 6.1%, UK 5.9%, China5.6%, Belgium 4.9%, Austria 4.2% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$96.84 billion (2003)
Debt - external:NA
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $5.6 billion (1998)
Currency (code):euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced theeuro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions ofmember countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the solecurrency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Germany
Telephones - main lines in use:54.35 million (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:64.8 million (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: Germany has one of the world's mosttechnologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result ofintensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerlybackward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back toWorld War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of thewestern partdomestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatictelephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-opticcable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domesticsatellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available,expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreigncountriesinternational: country code - 49; Germany's international service isexcellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cablefacilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat,Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios:77.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:51.4 million (1998)
Internet country code:.de
Internet hosts:2,686,119 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):200 (2001)
Internet users:39 million (2003)
Transportation Germany
Railways:total: 46,142 km (20,100 km electrified)standard gauge: 45,928 km 1.435-m gauge (20,084 km electrified)narrow gauge: 214 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km0.750-m gauge (2004)
Highways:total: 230,735 kmpaved: 230,735 km (including 11,515 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (1999)
Waterways:7,300 kmnote: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links NorthSea and Black Sea (2004)
Pipelines:condensate 325 km; gas 25,293 km; oil 3,540 km; refined products3,827 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Bremen, Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg,Karlsruhe, Mainz, Rostock, Wilhemshaven
Merchant marine:total: 332 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,721,495 GRT/6,810,631 DWTby type: cargo 69, chemical tanker 13, container 208, liquefied gas3, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/rolloff 4foreign-owned: 5 (Finland 2, Netherlands 1, Switzerland 1, UAE 1)registered in other countries: 2,289 (2005)
Airports:550 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 331 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 134 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 219 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 185 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 34 (2004 est.)
Military Germany
Military branches:Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (DeutscheMarine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), JointSupport Service, Central Medical Service
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (conscripts serve a nine-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 18,917,537 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 15,258,931 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 497,048 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$35.063 billion (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (2003)
Transnational Issues Germany
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaineprocessors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asianheroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced syntheticdrugs; major financial center
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@Ghana
Introduction Ghana
Background:Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast andthe Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the firstsub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Along series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitutionin 1981 and a ban on political parties. A new constitution,restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. JerryRAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for athird term in 2000. John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice PresidentAtta MILLS in a free and fair election, succeeded him.
Geography Ghana
Location:Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoireand Togo
Geographic coordinates:8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 239,460 sq kmland: 230,940 sq kmwater: 8,520 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:total: 2,094 kmborder countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo877 km
Coastline:539 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot andhumid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain:mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
Natural resources:gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish,rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Land use: arable land: 16.26% permanent crops: 9.67% other: 74.07% (2001)
Irrigated land:110 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January toMarch; droughts
Environment - current issues: recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
People Ghana
Population:21,029,853note: 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: 37.1% (male 3,946,326/female 3,862,390)15-64 years: 59.1% (male 6,203,035/female 6,235,107)65 years and over: 3.7% (male 366,472/female 416,523) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 20.45 yearsmale: 20.2 yearsfemale: 20.7 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.25% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:23.97 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:10.84 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 51.43 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 54.25 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 48.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 58.47 yearsmale: 57.7 yearsfemale: 59.26 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:3.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:350,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:30,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,hepatitis A, and typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks insome locationswater contact disease: schistosomiasisrespiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)
Nationality:noun: Ghanaian(s)adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic groups:black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%,Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998)
Religions:Christian 63%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 21%
Languages:English (official), African languages (including Akan,Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 74.8%male: 82.7%female: 67.1% (2003 est.)
Government Ghana
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Ghanaconventional short form: Ghanaformer: Gold Coast
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:Accra
Administrative divisions:10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra,Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western
Independence:6 March 1957 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Constitution:approved 28 April 1992
Legal system:based on English common law and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subjectto approval by Parliamentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 December2004 (next to be held December 2008)election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president inelection; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 53.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.7%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (230 seats; note - increased from 200 seatsin last election; members are elected by direct, popular vote toserve four-year terms)elections: last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held December 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -NPP 128, NDC 92, other 10
Judicial branch:Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, generalsecretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA,chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY];National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; NationalDemocratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary];New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People'sConvention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman];People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE];People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party[Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS(observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL,UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. KYEREMATENchancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATESembassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accramailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accratelephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348FAX: [233] (21) 701-813
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with alarge black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses thepopular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag ofBolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Economy Ghana
Economy - overview:Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice theper capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so,Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial andtechnical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are majorsources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues torevolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 34% ofGDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders.Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country(HIPC) program in 2002. Priorities include tighter monetary andfiscal policies, accelerated privatization, and improvement ofsocial services. Receipts from the gold sector helped sustain GDPgrowth in 2004. Inflation should ease, but remain a major internalproblem.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$48.27 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34.3% industry: 24.2% services: 41.4% (2004 est.)
Labor force:10.24 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:20% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line:31.4% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.1% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:40.7 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):13% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.17 billionexpenditures: $2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts,bananas; timber
Industries:mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, foodprocessing, cement, small commercial ship building
Industrial production growth rate:3.8% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:6.922 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 5% hydro: 95% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:6.137 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:500 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:200 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:7,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:8.255 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - proved reserves:11.89 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$83.87 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$3.01 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore,diamonds
Exports - partners:Mexico 69.8%, Netherlands 3.7%, UK 3% (2004)
Imports:$3.699 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Nigeria 12.6%, China 11.4%, UK 6.6%, US 6.4%, France 4.9%,Netherlands 4.2% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$1.267 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$7.396 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$6.9 billion (1999)
Currency (code):cedi (GHC)
Currency code:GHC
Exchange rates:cedis per US dollar - 9,004.6 (2004), 8,677.4 (2003), 7,932.7(2002), 7,170.8 (2001), 5,455.1 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Ghana
Telephones - main lines in use:302,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:799,900 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible; manyrural communities not yet connected; expansion of services isunderwaydomestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop hasbeen installedinternational: country code - 233; satellite earth stations - 4Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftelsystem connects Ghana to its neighbors; fiber optic submarine cable(SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2001)
Radios:12.5 million (2001)
Television broadcast stations:10 (2001)
Televisions:1.9 million (2001)
Internet country code:.gh
Internet hosts:407 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):12 (2000)
Internet users:170,000 (2002)
Transportation Ghana
Railways: total: 953 km narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)
Highways: total: 46,176 km paved: 8,496 km unpaved: 37,679 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:1,293 kmnote: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tanorivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta(2003)
Pipelines:refined products 74 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Takoradi, Tema
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,086 GRT/26,185 DWTby type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2005)
Airports:12 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 72,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 5914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Military Ghana
Military branches:Army, Navy, Air Force
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 4,761,226 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 2,721,239 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 250,782 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$49.2 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.6% (2004)
Transnational Issues Ghana
Disputes - international: Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped rebel fighting in Cote d'Ivoire
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 42,466 (Liberia) (2004)
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to alesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and theUS; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of awell-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utilityas a money-laundering center
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@Gibraltar
Introduction Gibraltar
Background:Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain bySpain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison wasformally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and votedoverwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.
Geography Gibraltar
Location:Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which linksthe Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southerncoast of Spain
Geographic coordinates:36 8 N, 5 21 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 6.5 sq kmland: 6.5 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km
Coastline:12 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate:Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain:a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or naturalrock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinkingwater) and adequate desalination plant
Geography - note:strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the NorthAtlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People Gibraltar
Population:27,884 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.8% (male 2,529/female 2,426)15-64 years: 66% (male 9,442/female 8,970)65 years and over: 16.2% (male 2,008/female 2,509) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 39.4 yearsmale: 39.12 yearsfemale: 39.63 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.17% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:10.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.67 yearsmale: 76.8 yearsfemale: 82.7 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Gibraltarian(s)adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic groups:Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, NorthAfricans
Religions:Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%,Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none2.9% (2001 census)
Languages:English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish,Italian, Portuguese
Literacy: definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Gibraltar
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:Gibraltar
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the nationalreferendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain
Constitution:30 May 1969
Legal system:English law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have beenresidents six months or more
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS(since 27 May 2003)head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 electedmembers of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultationwith the chief ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popularvote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members;members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not laterthan February 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%;seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democratsor GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP[Joseph John BOSSANO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization;Women's Association
International organization participation:Interpol (subbureau), 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:two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with athree-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hangingfrom the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Economy Gibraltar
Economy - overview:Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shippingtrade, offshore banking, and its position as an internationalconference center. The British military presence has been sharplyreduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, comparedwith 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 millionvisitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumergoods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shippingsector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP.Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years,Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to aprivate sector economy, but changes in government spending stillhave a major impact on the level of employment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$769 million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% (2002 est.)
Labor force:14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture negligible, industry 40%, services 60%
Unemployment rate:2% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.5% (1998)
Budget:revenues: $307 millionexpenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of NA(FY00/01 est.)
Agriculture - products:none
Industries:tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:104 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:96.76 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:42,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$136 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%,other 8%
Exports - partners:France 19.4%, Spain 14.1%, Turkmenistan 12.1%, Switzerland 11.7%,Germany 10.1%, UK 9.1%, Greece 6.8% (2004)
Imports:$1.743 billion c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Spain 19.9%, Russia 18.4%, UK 10.8%, Italy 8.8%, Germany 7.5%, US5.1%, Sweden 4.7%, France 4.2% (2004)
Debt - external:$NA (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):Gibraltar pound (GIP)
Currency code:GIP
Exchange rates:Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003),0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Gibraltar
Telephones - main lines in use:24,512 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:9,797 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system andadequate international facilitiesdomestic: automatic exchange facilitiesinternational: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radiorelay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:37,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:10,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.gi
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:6,200 (2002)
Transportation Gibraltar
Highways: total: 29 km paved: 29 km unpaved: 0 km (2002)
Ports and harbors:Gibraltar
Merchant marine:total: 161 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 980,636 GRT/1,254,661 DWTby type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 2, cargo 96, chemical tanker21, container 22, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker11, roll on/roll off 2foreign-owned: 142 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Finland 1, France 1,Germany 105, Greece 12, Iceland 1, Ireland 1, Italy 1, Latvia 1,Norway 8, Sweden 2, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, United Kingdom 3,United States 2) (2005)
Airports:1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Gibraltar
Military branches:Royal Gibraltar Regiment
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK; the last British regularinfantry forces left Gibraltar in 1992, replaced by the RoyalGibraltar Regiment
Transnational Issues Gibraltar
Disputes - international:in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum toremain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty"arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UKand Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar evengreater autonomy
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@Glorioso Islands
Introduction Glorioso Islands
Background:A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composedof two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys)and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather andradio station on Ile Glorieuse.
Geography Glorioso Islands
Location:Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates:11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 5 sq kmland: 5 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock,and South Rock
Area - comparative:about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:35.2 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical
Terrain:low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources: guano, coconuts
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system
People Glorioso Islands
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: there is a small French military garrison along with a fewmeteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)
Government Glorioso Islands
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Glorioso Islandslocal long form: nonelocal short form: Iles Glorieuses
Dependency status:possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieurof the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Legal system:the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (possession of France)
Flag description:the flag of France is used
Economy Glorioso Islands
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Communications Glorioso Islands
Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
Transportation Glorioso Islands
Ports and harbors:none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Glorioso Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Glorioso Islands
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@Greece
Introduction Greece
Background:Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands andterritories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II,Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupiedby Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil warbetween royalist supporters of the king and communist rebels.Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join NATOin 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended manypolitical liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lastedseven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum createda parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joinedthe European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992);it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
Geography Greece
Location:Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and theMediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates:39 00 N, 22 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 131,940 sq kmland: 130,800 sq kmwater: 1,140 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Alabama
Land boundaries:total: 1,228 kmborder countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km,Macedonia 246 km
Coastline:13,676 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain:mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulasor chains of islands
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m
Natural resources:lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel,magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land: 21.1% permanent crops: 8.78% other: 70.12% (2001)
Irrigated land:14,220 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:severe earthquakes
Environment - current issues:air pollution; water pollution
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
Geography - note:strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approachto Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelagoof about 2,000 islands
People Greece
Population:10,668,354 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 14.4% (male 791,227/female 744,178)15-64 years: 66.8% (male 3,561,689/female 3,564,675)65 years and over: 18.8% (male 884,497/female 1,122,088) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 40.5 yearsmale: 39.39 yearsfemale: 41.65 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.19% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:9.72 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:10.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.09 yearsmale: 76.59 yearsfemale: 81.76 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:9,100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Greek(s)adjective: Greek
Ethnic groups:Greek 98%, other 2%note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions inGreece
Religions:Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Languages:Greek 99% (official), English, French
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.5%male: 98.6%female: 96.5% (2003 est.)
People - note:women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece forthe purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor
Government Greece
Country name:conventional long form: Hellenic Republicconventional short form: Greecelocal long form: Elliniki Dhimokratialocal short form: Ellas or Elladaformer: Kingdom of Greece
Government type:parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December1974
Capital:Athens
Administrative divisions:51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*;Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis,Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos,Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis,Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria,Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades,Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella,Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia,Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos
Independence:1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
Constitution:11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001
Legal system:based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil,criminal, and administrative courts
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7March 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term;election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may onlyserve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securingplurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form agovernmentelection results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number ofparlimentary votes, 279 out of 300
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members areelected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held byMarch 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%,KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE12, Synaspismos 6
Judicial branch:Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judgesappointed for life by the president after consultation with ajudicial council
Political parties and leaders:Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS];Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy orND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic SocialistMovement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally[Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [KhristosPOLYZOGOPOLOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [OdysseasKYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [SpyrosPAPASPYROS]
International organization participation:Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU,FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA,MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW,OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Yeoryios SAVVAIDISchancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, SanFrancisco, and Tampaconsulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles RIES embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki
Flag description:nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; thereis a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a whitecross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the establishedreligion of the country
Economy Greece
Economy - overview:Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accountingfor about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the leadingeuro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make upnearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece isa major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP.The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the past two years, largelybecause of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the2004 Athens Olympic Games. Despite strong growth, Greece has failedto meet the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteriaof 3% of GDP since 2000; public debt, inflation, and unemploymentare also above the eurozone average. Further restructuring of theeconomy will need to include privatizing of several stateenterprises, undertaking pension and other reforms, and minimizingbureaucratic inefficiencies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$226.4 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $21,300 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 22% services: 71% (2004 est.)
Labor force:4.4 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 12%, industry 20%, services 68% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:10% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 3%highest 10%: 28.3% (1998 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:35.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):27% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $54.39 billionexpenditures: $64.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:112% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco,potatoes; beef, dairy products
Industries:tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metalproducts; mining, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate:4.1% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:47.22 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.5% hydro: 3.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:47.42 billion kWh (2002)