Disputes - international:Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to checkthe spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand pledge to completedemarcation of boundaries in 2005, while ongoing disputes oversquatters and boundary encroachment by Thailand including MekongRiver islets persist; in 2004 Cambodian-Laotian boundary commissionagrees to re-erect missing markers in two adjoining provinces;concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction ofdams on the Mekong River will affect water levels
Illicit drugs:estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decreasefrom 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons,a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Latvia
Introduction Latvia
Background:After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars,Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished itsindependence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of theRussian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern toMoscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography Latvia
Location:Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia andLithuania
Geographic coordinates:57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 64,589 sq kmland: 63,589 sq kmwater: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:total: 1,150 kmborder countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km,Russia 217 km
Coastline:531 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:low plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Land use: arable land: 29.67% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 69.86% (2001)
Irrigated land:200 sq kmnote: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, notirrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural landhas been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to serviceindustries after the country regained independence; the mainenvironmental priorities are improvement of drinking water qualityand sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, aswell as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EUaccession negotiation chapter on environment committing to fullenforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, withsome hills in the east
People Latvia
Population:2,290,237 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 14.4% (male 169,284/female 161,648)15-64 years: 69.4% (male 770,839/female 819,309)65 years and over: 16.1% (male 120,306/female 248,851) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 39.12 yearsmale: 35.95 yearsfemale: 42.15 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.69% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:9.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 11.55 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.05 yearsmale: 65.78 yearsfemale: 76.6 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.6% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:7,600 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Latvian(s)adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups:Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%,Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Religions:Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages:Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3%(2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.8%male: 99.8%female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Government Latvia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Latviaconventional short form: Latvialocal long form: Latvijas Republikalocal short form: Latvijaformer: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Riga
Administrative divisions:26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: AizkrauklesRajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons,Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons,Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, KraslavasRajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons,Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons,Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, TalsuRajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*,Ventspils Rajons
Independence:21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 isthe date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August1991 is the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental HumanRights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplementedthe constitution
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch:chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andappointed by the Parliamentelections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term;election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president;parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected bydirect, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)election results: percent of vote by party - JL 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%,TP 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - JL26, PCTVL 24, TP 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Political parties and leaders:First Party of Latvia or LPP [Juris LUJANS]; For Human Rights in aUnited Latvia or PCTVL [Tatjana ZDANOKA, Jakovs PLINERS]; For theFatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement orTB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; Harmony Center or SC [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS];Latvian Green Party or LZP [Indulis EMSIS, Viesturs SILENIEKS,Raimonds VEJONIS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [AugustsBRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (SocialDemocrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP[Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS]; New Democratsor JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; People'sHarmony Party or TSP [Aivars DATAVS]; People's Party or TP [AtisSLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB)[Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
International organization participation:Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member),FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB,NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU,WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINSchancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine TODD-BAILEYembassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE09723telephone: [371] 703-6200FAX: [371] 782-0047
Flag description:three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), andmaroon
Economy Latvia
Economy - overview:Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russianfinancial crisis, largely due to the government's budget stringencyand a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries,lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority ofcompanies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although thestate still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latviaofficially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EUmembership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The currentaccount and internal government deficits remain major concerns, butthe government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenuecollection may lessen the budget deficit. A growing perception thatmany of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage thecountry's vibrant financial sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$26.53 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 24.8% services: 70.8% (2004 est.)
Labor force:1.17 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:8.8% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:32 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):6% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):26.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $4.231 billionexpenditures: $4.504 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:11.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs;fish
Industries:buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers,agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios,electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note -dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Industrial production growth rate:8.5% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:4.547 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.1% hydro: 70.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:5.829 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:1.1 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:2.7 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$-1.251 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$3.569 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles,foodstuffs
Exports - partners:UK 12.8%, Germany 12%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 9.1%, Estonia 8%,Russia 6.4%, Denmark 5.4% (2004)
Imports:$5.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners:Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 12.2%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 7%, Finland6.3%, Sweden 6.1%, Poland 5.4%, Belarus 4.8% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$1.65 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$7.368 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$96.2 million (1995)
Currency (code):Latvian lat (LVL)
Currency code:LVL
Exchange rates:lati per US dollar - 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002),0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Latvia
Telephones - main lines in use:653,900 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,219,600 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to providean international capability independent of the Moscow internationalswitch; more facilities are being installed for individual usedomestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections,rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfiedsubscriber applicationsinternational: country code - 371; international connections are nowavailable via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enablingdirect connections for most calls (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:1.76 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:1.22 million (1997)
Internet country code:.lv
Internet hosts:51,758 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):41 (2001)
Internet users:936,000 (2003)
Transportation Latvia
Railways:total: 2,303 kmbroad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)
Highways:total: 60,472 kmpaved: 57,206 kmunpaved: 3,265 km (2002)
Waterways:300 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Riga, Ventspils
Merchant marine:total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWTby type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2,passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1registered in other countries: 86 (2005)
Airports:50 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 262,438 to 3,047 m: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 242,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)
Military Latvia
Military branches:Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard(Zemessardze)
Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers; Latvia plans to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an all-professional force by 2007 (August 2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 19-49: 517,713 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 19-49: 361,098 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 19,137 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.2% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Latvia
Disputes - international:the Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned andunratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment ofethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreementto a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the SecondWorld War and other issues; the Latvian parliament has not ratifiedits 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due toconcerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that formspart of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strictSchengen border rules
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central andSouthwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin Americancocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; vulnerableto money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascentenforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation ofoffshore companies and the gaming industry; organized crime(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, andprostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Lebanon
Introduction Lebanon
Background:Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its politicalinstitutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civilwar. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for nationalreconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitablepolitical system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say inthe political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisionsin the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese haveconducted several successful elections, most of the militias havebeen weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) haveextended central government authority over about two-thirds of thecountry. Hizballah, a radical Shia organization, retains itsweapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized inthe Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Damascusjustified its continued military presence in Lebanon by citingBeirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government toimplement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord.Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, however,encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw itsforces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004 - aresolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end itsinterference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanesegroups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon. Syria finallywithdrew the remainder of its forces from Lebanon in April of 2005.
Geography Lebanon
Location:Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel andSyria
Geographic coordinates:33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 10,400 sq kmland: 10,230 sq kmwater: 170 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline:225 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers;Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain:narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon andAnti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 mhighest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m
Natural resources:limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficitregion, arable land
Land use:arable land: 16.62%permanent crops: 13.98%other: 69.4% (2001)
Irrigated land:1,200 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution inBeirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes;pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, HazardousWastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine LifeConservation
Geography - note:Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing aninternational boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate,protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion,clan, and ethnicity
People Lebanon
Population:3,826,018 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.7% (male 520,270/female 499,609)15-64 years: 66.4% (male 1,216,738/female 1,324,031)65 years and over: 6.9% (male 120,176/female 145,194) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 27.34 yearsmale: 26.28 yearsfemale: 28.43 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.26% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:18.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:6.24 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: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 24.52 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 27.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 21.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.63 yearsmale: 70.17 yearsfemale: 75.21 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,800 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups:Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religions:Muslim 59.7% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri),Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic,Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, SyrianOrthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant),other 1.3%note: seventeen religious sects recognized
Languages:Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 87.4%male: 93.1%female: 82.2% (2003 est.)
Government Lebanon
Country name:conventional long form: Lebanese Republicconventional short form: Lebanonlocal long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyahlocal short form: Lubnan
Government type:republic
Capital:Beirut
Administrative divisions:6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth, Beqaa,Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye
Independence:22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under Frenchadministration)
National holiday:Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Constitution:23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter ofLebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989
Legal system:mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law;no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women atage 21 with elementary education
Executive branch:chief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November 1998)head of government: Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA (since 30 June2005); Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since April 2005)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation withthe president and members of the National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-yearterm; election last held 15 October 1998 (next election date NA);note - on 3 September 2004 the National Assembly voted 96 to 29 toextend Emile LAHUD's six-year term by three years; the primeminister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president inconsultation with the National Assembly; by agreement, the presidentis a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, andthe speaker of the legislature is a Shia Muslimelection results: for 15 October 1998 election: Emile LAHUD electedpresident; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against,10 abstentions
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) orAssemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popularvote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to servefour-year terms)elections: last held in four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June 2005(next to be held 2009)election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by group -Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering 15; Development andResistance Bloc 15; Loyalty to the Resistance 14; Free PatrioticMovement 14; Lebanese Forces 6; Qornet Shewan 5; Popular Bloc 4;Tripoli Independent Bloc 3; Syrian National Socialist Party 2;Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Tachnaq Party 2; Democratic RenewalMovement 1; Democratic Left 1; Nasserite Popular Movement 1; Ba'thParty 1; Kataeb Party 1; independent 5
Judicial branch:four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercialcases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council(called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws);Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and primeminister as needed)
Political parties and leaders:Ba'th Party [leader NA]; Democratic Gathering [Walid JUNBLATT];Democratic Left [leader NA]; Development and Resistance Bloc [NabihBARRI, Amal leader/speaker]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN];Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [leader NA];Kataeb Reform Movement [leader NA]; Lebanese Forces [leader NA];Loyalty to the Resistance [Mohammad RA'AD]; Nasserite PopularMovement [leader NA]; Popular Bloc [leader NA]; Qornet Shewan[leader NA]; Syrian National Socialist Party [leader NA]; TripoliIndependent Bloc [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC,PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUDchancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey D. FELTMAN embassy: Awkar, Lebanon mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002 telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600 FAX: [961] (4) 544136
Flag description:three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle,double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered inthe white band
Economy Lebanon
Economy - overview:The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economicinfrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but endedLebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Inthe years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physicaland financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly fromdomestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning nationaldebt, the HARIRI government began an austerity program, reining ingovernment expenditures, increasing revenue collection, andprivatizing state enterprises. In November 2002, the government metwith international donors at the Paris II conference to seekbilateral assistance in restructuring its massive domestic debt atlower rates of interest. Substantial receipts from donor nationsstabilized government finances in 2003, but did little to reduce thedebt, which stood at nearly 180% of GDP. In 2004 the HARIRIgovernment issued Eurobonds in an effort to manage maturing debt,and the KARAMI government has continued this practice. However,privatization of state-owned enterprises had not occurred by the endof 2004, as promised during the Paris II conference.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$18.83 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 12%industry: 21%services: 67% (2000)
Labor force:2.6 millionnote: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers(2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA
Unemployment rate:18% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line:28% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):26% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $4.895 billionexpenditures: $6.642 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:177.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives,tobacco; sheep, goats
Industries:banking, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral andchemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metalfabricating
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:8.066 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.2% hydro: 2.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:8.591 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:1.09 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:107,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Current account balance:$-2.389 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$1.783 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:authentic jewelry, inorganic chemicals, miscellaneous consumergoods, fruit, tobacco, construction minerals, electric powermachinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper
Exports - partners:Syria 24.9%, UAE 10%, Turkey 6.9%, Switzerland 6.7%, Saudi Arabia5.3% (2004)
Imports:$8.162 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat andlive animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco
Imports - partners:Italy 11.2%, France 10.3%, Syria 9.8%, Germany 8.6%, China 5.8%, US5.5%, UK 4.6% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$16.3 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$15.84 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.2 billion received (2003), out of the $4.2 billion in soft loanspledged at the November 2002 Paris II Aid Conference
Currency (code):Lebanese pound (LBP)
Currency code:LBP
Exchange rates:Lebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2004), 1,507.5 (2003),1,507.5 (2002), 1,507.5 (2001), 1,507.5 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Lebanon
Telephones - main lines in use:678,800 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:775,100 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: telecommunications system severely damaged bycivil war; rebuilding well underwaydomestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cableinternational: country code - 961; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations);coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria butinoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables
Radio broadcast stations:AM 20, FM 22, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios:2.85 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:1.18 million (1997)
Internet country code:.lb
Internet hosts:6,998 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):22 (2000)
Internet users:400,000 (2002)
Transportation Lebanon
Railways:total: 401 kmstandard gauge: 319 km 1.435-mnarrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-mnote: rail system became unusable because of damage during the civilwar in the 1980s; short sections are operable (2004)
Highways: total: 7,300 km paved: 6,198 km unpaved: 1,102 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines:oil 209 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Beirut, Chekka, Jounie, Tripoli
Merchant marine:total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 198,602 GRT/248,313 DWTby type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 26, livestock carrier 8, refrigeratedcargo 1, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 3foreign-owned: 6 (Austria 1, Greece 5)registered in other countries: 40 (2005)
Airports:8 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 3914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Lebanon
Military branches:Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army, Navy, and Air Force
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 974,363 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 821,762 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$540.6 million (2002) (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.1% (FY99) (2004)
Transnational Issues Lebanon
Disputes - international:intense international pressure prompts the removal of Syrian troopsand intelligence personnel from Lebanon; Lebanese Government claimsShab'a Farms area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been in placesince 1978
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 394,532 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))IDPs: 300,000 (1975-90 civil war, Israeli invasions) (2004)
Illicit drugs:cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of LatinAmerican cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on wayto European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Lesotho
Introduction Lesotho
Background:Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independencefrom the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, butreturned to Lesotho in 1992 and reinstated in 1995. Constitutionalgovernment was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentiouselection prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South Africanand Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the SouthernAfrican Development Community. Constitutional reforms have sincerestored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections wereheld in 2002.
Geography Lesotho
Location:Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
Geographic coordinates:29 30 S, 28 30 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 30,355 sq kmland: 30,355 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain:mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 mhighest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
Natural resources:water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay,building stone
Land use: arable land: 10.87% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 89% (2001)
Irrigated land:10 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results inovergrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion;desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, andredirects water to South Africa
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous,more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea level
People Lesotho
Population:1,867,035note: 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: 36.9% (male 346,930/female 342,459)15-64 years: 57.6% (male 526,642/female 548,096)65 years and over: 5.5% (male 42,003/female 60,905) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 20.19 yearsmale: 19.68 yearsfemale: 20.74 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.08% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:26.53 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:25.03 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.74 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: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 79.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 34.47 yearsmale: 35.49 yearsfemale: 33.42 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.35 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:28.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:320,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:29,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)adjective: Basotho
Ethnic groups:Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,
Religions:Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%
Languages:Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 84.8%male: 74.5%female: 94.5% (2003 est.)
Government Lesotho
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesothoconventional short form: Lesothoformer: Basutoland
Government type:parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital:Maseru
Administrative divisions:10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru,Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka
Independence:4 October 1966 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 4 October (1966)
Constitution:2 April 1993
Legal system:based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review oflegislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note -King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 toFebruary 1995, while his father was in exilehead of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May1998)cabinet: Cabinetelections: none; according to the constitution, the leader of themajority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister;the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution,which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch isa "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislativepowers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power todetermine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve asregent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and mayeven depose the monarch
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party)and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 byproportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-yearterms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120in the May 2002 electionelections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18
Judicial branch:High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on theadvice of the Prime Minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court;customary or traditional court
Political parties and leaders:Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE];Basotholand Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; BasothoNational Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; LesothoCongress for Democracy or LCD [Pakalitha MOSISILI] - the governingparty; Lesotho People's Congress or LPC [Kelebone MAOPE]; LesothoWorkers Party of LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; Marematlou Freedom Party orMFP [Vincent MALEBO]; National Independent Party or NIP [AnthonyMANYELI]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Chief Peete NkoebePEETE]; Popular Front for Democracy or PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE];Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, The Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Molelekeng E. RAPOLAKIchancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 22 312666 FAX: [266] 22 310116
Flag description:divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper halfis white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield withcrossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band witha green triangle in the corner
Economy Lesotho
Economy - overview:Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittancesfrom miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from theSouthern Africa Customs Union for the majority of governmentrevenue, but the government has strengthened its tax system toreduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a majorhydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water toSouth Africa, also generating royalties for Lesotho. As the numberof mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, asmall manufacturing base has developed based on farm products thatsupport the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries and arapidly growing apparel-assembly sector. The garment industry hasgrown significantly, mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the tradebenefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. Theeconomy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture,especially livestock, although drought has decreased agriculturalactivity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of incomeremains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim PovertyReduction and Growth Facility with the IMF.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.892 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.2% industry: 43.9% services: 40.9% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 838,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa
Unemployment rate:45% (2002)
Population below poverty line:49% (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 43.4%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:56 (1986-87)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.3% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):39.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $698.5 millionexpenditures: $697.6 million, including capital expenditures of $15million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
Industries:food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts;construction; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:15.5% (1999)
Electricity - production:314 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002)
Electricity - consumption:308 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:16 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:1,500 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Current account balance:$-108.3 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$484.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool andmohair, food and live animals (2000)
Exports - partners:US 97%, Canada 2.1%, UK 0.3% (2004)
Imports:$730.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleumproducts (2000)
Imports - partners:Hong Kong 46.8%, China 25.5%, South Korea 5.6%, Germany 4.8% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$402.2 million (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$735 million (2002)
Economic aid - donor:ODA $4.4 million
Economic aid - recipient:$41.5 million (2000)
Currency (code):loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR)
Currency code:LSL; ZAR
Exchange rates:maloti per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407(2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Lesotho
Telephones - main lines in use:28,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:92,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: rudimentary systemdomestic: consists of a modest but growing number of landlines, asmall microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephonecommunication system; a cellular mobile telephone system is growinginternational: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:NA (2002)
Television broadcast stations:1 (2000)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.ls
Internet hosts:119 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:21,000 (2002)
Transportation Lesotho
Highways: total: 5,940 km paved: 1,087 km unpaved: 4,853 km (1999)
Airports: 28 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)
Military Lesotho
Military branches:Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army and Air Wing
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 400,457 (2005 est.)