Political pressure groups and leaders:The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia AliABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET]
International organization participation:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner),UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amine KHERBI chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79
Flag description:two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red,five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-colorboundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditionalsymbols of Islam (the state religion)
Economy Algeria
Economy - overview:The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accountingfor roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% ofexport earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of naturalgas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years,along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF, havehelped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators.Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building uprecord foreign exchange reserves. Real GDP has risen due to higheroil output and increased government spending. The government'scontinued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign anddomestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has hadlittle success in reducing high unemployment and improving livingstandards. Structural reform within the economy moves ahead slowly.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$212.3 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.1% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,600 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.3% industry: 57.4% services: 32.3% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 9.91 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:25.4% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:23% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:35.3 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.1% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):26.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $31.47 billionexpenditures: $29.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8billion (2004 est.)
Public debt:37.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Industries:petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical,petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:25.76 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:23.61 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:500 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:150 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:1.2 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:11.87 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:4.739 trillion cu m (2004)
Current account balance:$11.9 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$32.16 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Exports - partners:US 22.6%, Italy 17.2%, France 11.4%, Spain 10.1%, Canada 7.5%,Brazil 6.1%, Belgium 4.6% (2004)
Imports:$15.25 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:France 30.3%, Italy 8.2%, Germany 6.5%, Spain 5.5%, US 5.2%, China5.1%, Turkey 4.3% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$43.55 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$21.9 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$122.8 million (2002 est.)
Currency (code):Algerian dinar (DZD)
Currency code:DZD
Exchange rates:Algerian dinars per US dollar - 72.061 (2004), 77.395 (2003),79.682 (2002), 77.215 (2001), 75.26 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Algeria
Telephones - main lines in use:2,199,600 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,447,310 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, notexceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed mainlines increased in the last few years to a little more than2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; muchof the infrastructure is outdated and inefficientdomestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domesticsatellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domesticearth stations are planned)international: country code - 213; 5 submarine cables; microwaveradio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxialcable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satelliteearth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)
Radios:7.1 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:3.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:.dz
Internet hosts:897 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:500,000 (2002)
Transportation Algeria
Railways:total: 3,973 kmstandard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2004)
Highways:total: 104,000 kmpaved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways)unpaved: 32,344 km (1999)
Pipelines:condensate 1,344 km; gas 85,946 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km;oil 6,496 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran,Skikda
Merchant marine:total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 837,676 GRT/929,847 DWTby type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 14, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas10, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 9foreign-owned: 3 (United Kingdom 3)registered in other countries: 1 (2005)
Airports:137 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 85 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Algeria
Military branches:People's National Army (ANP; includes Land Forces), AlgerianNational Navy (MRA), Air Force (QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force(2005)
Military service age and obligation: 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (October 2003)
Manpower available for military service:males age 19-49: 8,033,049 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 19-49: 6,590,079 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 374,639 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.48 billion (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.2% (2004)
Transnational Issues Algeria
Disputes - international:Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejectsMoroccan administration of Western Sahara; Algeria's border withMorocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation hasaccused the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; in anattempt to improve relations after unilaterally imposing a visarequirement on Algerians in the early 1990s, Morocco lifted therequirement in mid-2004 - a gesture not reciprocated by Algeria;Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughoutthe Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormantdisputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflectedon its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of aclaim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 165,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) IDPs: 100,000 - 200,000 (conflict between government forces, Islamic insurgents) (2004)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@American Samoa
Introduction American Samoa
Background:Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by Europeanexplorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latterhalf of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in whichGermany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formallyoccupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with theexcellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Geography American Samoa
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 199 sq kmland: 199 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:116 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annualrainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April,dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains,two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Lata 966 m
Natural resources:pumice, pumicite
Land use:arable land: 10%permanent crops: 15%other: 75% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:typhoons common from December to March
Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of thegovernment has spent substantial funds in the past few years toimprove water catchments and pipelines
Geography - note:Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in theSouth Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas andprotected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategiclocation in the South Pacific Ocean
People American Samoa
Population:57,881 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35.7% (male 10,705/female 9,956)15-64 years: 61.3% (male 18,351/female 17,125)65 years and over: 3% (male 664/female 1,080) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 22.76 yearsmale: 22.5 yearsfemale: 23.05 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.11% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:23.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:3.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-20.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 9.85 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.84 yearsmale: 72.27 yearsfemale: 79.62 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.25 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: American Samoan(s)adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic groups:native Pacific islander 92.9%, Asian 2.9%, white 1.2%, mixed 2.8%,other 0.2% (2000 census)
Religions:Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant andother 30%
Languages:Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesianlanguages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%,other 2%note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 98%female: 97% (1980 est.)
Government American Samoa
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of American Samoaconventional short form: American Samoaabbreviation: AS
Dependency status:unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered bythe Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:NA
Capital:Pago Pago
Administrative divisions:none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are threedistricts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a,Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
Independence:none (territory of the US)
National holiday:Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution:ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967
Legal system:NA
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003)cabinet: cabinet made up of 12 department directorselections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor electedon the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; electionlast held 2 and 16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)election results: Togiola TULAFONO elected governor; percent of vote- Togiola TULAFONO 55.7%, Afoa Moega LUTU 44.3%
Legislative branch:bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House ofRepresentatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular voteand 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island;members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members areelected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004(next to be held November 2006); Senate - last held 2 November 2004(next to be held November 2008)election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party- NA%; seats by party - independents 18note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the USHouse of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (nextto be held November 2006); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA(Democrat) reelected as delegate
Judicial branch:High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed bythe US Secretary of the Interior)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F.FAALEVAO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of the US)
Flag description:blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outerside and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American baldeagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditionalSamoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
Economy American Samoa
Economy - overview:This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% ofthe land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linkedto the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreigntrade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone ofthe private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfersfrom the US Government add substantially to American Samoa'seconomic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a largerand broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, itslimited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is apromising developing sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$500 million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force:14,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation:tuna canneries 34%, government 33%, other 33% (1990)
Unemployment rate:6% (2000)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%
Budget:revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants)expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of NA(FY96/97)
Agriculture - products:bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra,pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Industries:tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels),handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:130 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:120.9 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$30 million (2002)
Exports - commodities:canned tuna 93%
Exports - partners:Samoa 39.8%, Australia 19.9%, Japan 15.1%, New Zealand 10.5% (2004)
Imports:$123 million (2002)
Imports - commodities:materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%,machinery and parts 6%
Imports - partners:Japan 31.4%, New Zealand 27.9%, Germany 17.1%, Australia 8.9% (2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in1994
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications American Samoa
Telephones - main lines in use:15,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,377 (1999)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephoneservices; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth stationinternational: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)
Radios:57,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1; note - one cable TV station (2004)
Televisions:14,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.as
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation American Samoa
Highways: total: 185 km paved: 185 km unpaved: 0 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Pago Pago
Airports:3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military American Samoa
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues American Samoa
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Andorra
Introduction Andorra
Background:For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a uniqueco-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel).In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads ofstate retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentarydemocracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorraachieved considerable prosperity since World War II through itstourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attractedto the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Geography Andorra
Location:Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates:42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 468 sq kmland: 468 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain:rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:avalanches
Environment - current issues:deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soilerosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:party to: Hazardous Wastessigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in thePyrenees
People Andorra
Population:70,549 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 14.8% (male 5,471/female 4,995)15-64 years: 71.5% (male 26,463/female 23,977)65 years and over: 13.7% (male 4,780/female 4,863) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 40.34 yearsmale: 40.63 yearsfemale: 40.02 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.95% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:6.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 83.51 yearsmale: 80.6 yearsfemale: 86.6 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.29 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: Andorran(s)adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups:Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6%(1998)
Religions:Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages:Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Andorra
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Andorraconventional short form: Andorralocal long form: Principat d'Andorralocal short form: Andorra
Government type:parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as itschiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the presidentof France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are representedlocally by coprinces' representatives
Capital:Andorra la Vella
Administrative divisions:7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella,Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Juliade Loria
Independence:1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count ofFoix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
National holiday:Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Constitution:Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approvedby referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993
Legal system:based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995),represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); SpanishCoprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003),represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)head of government: Executive Council President Albert PINTATSANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005)cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the ExecutiveCouncil presidentelections: Executive Council president elected by the GeneralCouncil and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-yearterm; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held April-May2005)election results: Marc FORNE MOLNE elected executive councilpresident; percent of General Council vote - NA%
Legislative branch:unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de lasValls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 froma single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7parishes; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%,CDA 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA 2
Judicial branch:Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courtsor Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra orTribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justiceor Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or MinisteriFiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Political parties and leaders:Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Partyor PD) [leader NA]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerlyLiberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; Social Democratic Party or PS(formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [MarionaGONZALEZ REOLIT]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN,UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V.PIA-COMELLAchancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador toSpain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra arerepresented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain);mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and redwith the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coatof arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chadand Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in thecenter, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Economy Andorra
Economy - overview:Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million touristsvisit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by itssummer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage hasrecently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spainhave been opened up, providing broader availability of goods andlower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, alsocontributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production islimited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to beimported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, andfurniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and istreated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1.9 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $26,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force:33,000 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:0% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.3% (2000)
Budget:revenues: $385 millionexpenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of NA(1997)
Agriculture - products:small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Industries:tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source:NA
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Exports:$58 million f.o.b. (1998)
Exports - commodities:tobacco products, furniture
Exports - partners:Spain 58%, France 34% (2000)
Imports:$1.077 billion (1998)
Imports - commodities:consumer goods, food, electricity
Imports - partners:Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:none
Currency (code):euro (EUR)
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 Andorra
Telephones - main lines in use:35,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:23,500 (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connectionsbetween exchangesinternational: country code - 376; landline circuits to France andSpain
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:0 (1997)
Televisions:27,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ad
Internet hosts:4,144 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:24,500 (2001)
Transportation Andorra
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 1
Airports:none (2004 est.)
Military Andorra
Military branches:no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Transnational Issues Andorra
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Angola
Introduction Angola
Background:Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since the end of a27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement forthe Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, andthe National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), ledby Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peaceseemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, butUNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls.Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million peopledisplaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold onpower. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national elections in 2006.
Geography Angola
Location:Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenNamibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,246,700 sq kmland: 1,246,700 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,198 kmborder countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (ofwhich 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline:1,600 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dryseason (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources:petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,bauxite, uranium
Land use: arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 97.35% (2001)
Irrigated land:750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Environment - current issues:overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable topopulation pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropicalrain forest, in response to both international demand for tropicaltimber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss ofbiodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution andsiltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of theSea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest ofthe country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
People Angola
Population:11,190,786 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43.4% (male 2,454,209/female 2,407,083)15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,059,339/female 2,955,060)65 years and over: 2.8% (male 139,961/female 175,134) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 18.12 yearsmale: 18.12 yearsfemale: 18.11 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.9% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:44.64 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:25.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 191.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 203.68 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 178.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 38.43 yearsmale: 37.28 yearsfemale: 39.64 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:3.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:240,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:21,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)
Nationality:noun: Angolan(s)adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups:Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed Europeanand native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998est.)
Languages:Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 66.8%male: 82.1%female: 53.8% (2001 est.)
Government Angola
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Angolaconventional short form: Angolalocal long form: Republica de Angolalocal short form: Angolaformer: People's Republic of Angola
Government type:republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strongpresidential system
Capital:Luanda
Administrative divisions:18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela,Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene,Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico,Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence:11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March1991, and 26 August 1992; note - new constitution has not yet beenapproved
Legal system:based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recentlymodified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use offree markets
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state andhead of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS wasappointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not aposition of real powercabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-yearterm; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) withoutopposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection inAngola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to beheld September 2006)election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making arun-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI'sNational Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats;members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September2006)election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD3, others 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by thepresident)
Political parties and leaders:Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputedleadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for theTotal Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA], largestopposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; PopularMovement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOSSANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party orPRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO]note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 electionsbut only won a few seats and have little influence in the NationalAssembly
Political pressure groups and leaders:Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zitaHenriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armedstruggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), SADC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia EFFIRDembassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area ofLuanda), Luandamailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC20521-2550telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224FAX: [244] (2) 446-924
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centeredyellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half acogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Economy Angola
Economy - overview:Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter centuryof nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace wasestablished after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI inFebruary 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue includingthe impact of widespread land mines. Subsistence agricultureprovides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oilproduction and the supporting activities are vital to the economy,contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much ofthe country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantageof its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests,Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need tocontinue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption.While Angola made progress in further lowering inflation, from 325%in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to makesufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such asincreasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greatertransparency in government spending. Increased oil productionsupported 7% GDP growth in 2003 and 12% growth in 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$23.17 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:11.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.)
Labor force:5.41 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than halfthe population (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:70% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):43.8% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):34.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $9.013 billionexpenditures: $9.562 billion, including capital expenditures of $963million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industries:petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles, shiprepair
Industrial production growth rate:1% (2000)
Electricity - production:1.707 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.587 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:980,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:22.88 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:79.57 billion cu m (2004)
Current account balance:$-37.88 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$12.76 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee,sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners:US 38%, China 35.9%, Taiwan 6.8%, France 6.5% (2004)
Imports:$4.896 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners:South Korea 28.3%, Portugal 13.1%, US 9.3%, South Africa 7.4%,Brazil 5.6%, Japan 4.8%, France 4.4% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$800 million (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$10.45 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$383.5 million (1999)
Currency (code):kwanza (AOA)
Currency code:AOA
Exchange rates:kwanza per US dollar - 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003), 43.53 (2002),22.058 (2001), 10.041 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Angola
Telephones - main lines in use:96,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:130,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to governmentand business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for militarylinksdomestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, andtropospheric scatterinternational: country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)provides connectivity to Europe and Asia