Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 162,857 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$32.3 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.3% (2004)
Military - note:the Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the futurestructure, size, and role of the armed forces, especiallyconsidering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of interveningin political affairs
Transnational Issues Lesotho
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Liberia
Introduction Liberia
Background:In August 2003, a comprehensive peace agreement ended 14 years ofcivil war and prompted the resignation of former president CharlesTAYLOR, who was exiled to Nigeria. The National TransitionalGovernment of Liberia (NTGL) - composed of rebel, government, andcivil society groups - assumed control in October 2003. ChairmanGyude BRYANT, who was given a two-year mandate to oversee efforts torebuild Liberia, heads the new government. The United NationsMission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presencethroughout the country, completed a disarmament program for formercombatants in late 2004, but the security situation is stillvolatile and the process of rebuilding the social and economicstructure of this war-torn country remains sluggish.
Geography Liberia
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Coted'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates:6 30 N, 9 30 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 111,370 sq kmland: 96,320 sq kmwater: 15,050 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,585 kmborder countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone306 km
Coastline:579 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to coldnights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Terrain:mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau andlow mountains in northeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
Natural resources:iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 3.95% permanent crops: 2.28% other: 93.77% (2001)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
Environment - current issues: tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized bylagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inlandgrassy plateau supports limited agriculture
People Liberia
Population:3,482,211 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43.6% (male 765,662/female 751,134)15-64 years: 52.8% (male 896,206/female 940,985)65 years and over: 3.7% (male 64,547/female 63,677) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 18.06 yearsmale: 17.69 yearsfemale: 18.42 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.64% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:44.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:17.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: at least 200,000 Liberian refugees are in surroundingcountries; the uncertain security situation has hindered theirability to return (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 128.87 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 135.64 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 121.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 38.89 yearsmale: 37.03 yearsfemale: 40.81 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.09 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:5.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:100,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:7,200 (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: schistosomiasisaerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)
Nationality:noun: Liberian(s)adjective: Liberian
Ethnic groups:indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru,Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella,Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants ofimmigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5%(descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Religions:indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Languages:English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which afew can be written and are used in correspondence
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 57.5%male: 73.3%female: 41.6% (2003 est.)
Government Liberia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Liberiaconventional short form: Liberia
Government type:republic
Capital:Monrovia
Administrative divisions:15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount,Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba,River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe
Independence:26 July 1847
National holiday:Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Constitution:6 January 1986
Legal system:dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law forthe modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribalpractices for indigenous sector
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003); note- this is an interim position until presidential elections in 2005;the chairman is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003);note - this is an interim position until presidential elections in2005; the chairman is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by theSenate; note - current cabinet positions are divided among groupsparticipating in the Liberian peace processelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11October 2005)election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percentof vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF(UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%; note - TAYLORstepped down in August 2003note: a UN-brokered cease-fire among warring factions and theLiberian government resulted in the August 2003 resignation offormer president Charles TAYLOR; a jointly agreed upon replacement,Chairman Gyude BRYANT, assumed office as head of the NationalTransitional Government on 14 October 2003
Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and theHouse of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular voteto serve six-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11October 2005); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997(next to be held 11 October 2005)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent ofvote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3,Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1
Judicial branch:Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:Alliance of Political Parties (a coalition of LAP and LUP) [leaderNA]; All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Peter KERBAY]; LiberianAction Party or LAP [C. Gyude BRYANT]; Liberian People's Party orLPP [Koffa NAGBE]; Liberia Unification Party or LUP [leader NA];National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN] - governing party;United People's Party or UPP [Wesley JOHNSON]; Unity Party or UP[Charles CLARKE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Aaron B.KOLLIEchancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John William BLANEY IIIembassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point,1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberiamailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380FAX: [231] 226-148
Flag description:11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternatingwith white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square inthe upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
Economy Liberia
Economy - overview:Civil war and government mismanagement have destroyed much ofLiberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and aroundMonrovia, while continued international sanctions on diamonds andtimber exports will limit growth prospects for the foreseeablefuture. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital andexpertise with them. Some have returned, but many will not. Richlyendowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climatefavorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporterof basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Localmanufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. Thedeparture of the former president, Charles TAYLOR, to Nigeria inAugust 2003, the establishment of the all-inclusive TransitionalGovernment, and the arrival of a UN mission are all necessary forthe eventual end of the political crisis, but thus far have donelittle to encourage economic development. The reconstruction ofinfrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economywill largely depend on generous financial support and technicalassistance from donor countries.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$2.903 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:21.8% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:85% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:80%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):15% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $85.4 millionexpenditures: $90.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Industries:rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:488.8 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:454.6 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$1.079 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee
Exports - partners:Denmark 29.5%, Germany 18.9%, Poland 14.3%, US 8.9%, Greece 8%(2004)
Imports:$5.051 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufacturedgoods; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:South Korea 38.8%, Japan 21.2%, Singapore 12.2%, Croatia 5.3%,Germany 4.2% (2004)
Debt - external:$2.1 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$94 million (1999)
Currency (code):Liberian dollar (LRD)
Currency code:LRD
Exchange rates:Liberian dollars per US dollar - 54.906 (2004), 59.379 (2003),61.754 (2002), 48.583 (2001), 40.953 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Liberia
Telephones - main lines in use:7,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,000 (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: the limited services available are found almostexclusively in the capital Monroviadomestic: fully automatic system with very low density of .21 fixedmainlines per 100 persons; limited wireless service availableinternational: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001)
Radios:790,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:70,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.lr
Internet hosts:14 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2001)
Internet users:1,000 (2002)
Transportation Liberia
Railways:total: 490 kmstandard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gaugenote: none of the railways are in operation because of the civil war(2004)
Highways:total: 10,600 kmpaved: 657 kmunpaved: 9,943 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Buchanan, Monrovia
Merchant marine:total: 1,465 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 50,555,752 GRT/79,125,329 DWTby type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 275, cargo 91, chemicaltanker 173, combination ore/oil 22, container 388, liquefied gas 78,passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 324, refrigeratedcargo 57, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier35foreign-owned: 1,392 (Argentina 8, Australia 2, Austria 13, Bahamas3, Brazil 6, British 1, Canada 2, Chile 1, China 36, Croatia 7,Cyprus 1, Denmark 5, France 3, Germany 511, Greece 149, Hong Kong29, India 4, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 5, Israel 7, Italy 12, Japan106, Latvia 18, Monaco 10, Netherlands 18, Nigeria 1, Norway 57,Pakistan 1, Poland 14, Romania 1, Russia 63, Saudi Arabia 23,Singapore 29, Slovenia 1, South Korea 4, Sweden 12, Switzerland 10,Taiwan 54, Turkey 4, Ukraine 7, UAE 10, United Kingdom 56, UnitedStates 84, Uruguay 3) (2005)
Airports:53 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 38 (2004 est.)
Military Liberia
Military branches:Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 659,795 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 360,373 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.5 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.2% (2004)
Transnational Issues Liberia
Disputes - international:although Liberia's domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups,warlords, and youth gangs was declared over in 2003, civil unrestpersists, and in 2004, 133,000 Liberian refugees remained in Guinea,72,000 in Cote d'Ivoire, 67,000 in Sierra Leone, and 43,000 inGhana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Coted'Ivoire and Sierra Leone; since 2003, the UN Mission in Liberia(UNMIL) has maintained about 18,000 peacekeepers in Liberia; theCote d'Ivoire Government accuses Liberia of supporting Ivoirianrebels; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 13,941 (Sierra Leone) 38,325 (Coted'Ivoire)IDPs: 500,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began inNovember 2004) (2004)
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin andSouth American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption,criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade providesignificant potential for money laundering, but the lack ofwell-developed financial system limits the country's utility as amajor money-laundering center
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Libya
Introduction Libya
Background:From the earliest days of his rule following his 1969 militarycoup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his ownpolitical system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is acombination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribalpractices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan peoplethemselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI hasalways seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He usedoil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outsideLibya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten theend of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, heengaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - togain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadianpolitics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Libyan support for terrorism appearedto have decreased after the imposition of sanctions. During the1990s, QADHAFI also began to rebuild his relationships with Europe.UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted inSeptember 2003 after Libya resolved the Lockerbie case. In December2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end itsprograms to develop weapons of mass destruction, and QADHAFI hasmade significant strides in normalizing relations with westernnations since then. He has received various Western European leadersas well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and madehis first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled toBrussels in April 2004. QADHAFI also finally resolved in 2004several outstanding cases against his government for terroristactivities in the 1980s by paying compensation to the families ofvictims of the UTA and La Belle disco bombings.
Geography Libya
Location:Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt andTunisia
Geographic coordinates:25 00 N, 17 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,759,540 sq kmland: 1,759,540 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:total: 4,348 kmborder countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km,Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline:1,770 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmnote: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north
Climate:Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain:mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use: arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2001)
Irrigated land:4,700 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to fourdays in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; theGreat Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme inthe world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers underthe Sahara to coastal cities
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert
People Libya
Population: 5,765,563 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33.9% (male 997,364/female 955,272)15-64 years: 62% (male 1,842,775/female 1,729,235)65 years and over: 4.2% (male 117,967/female 122,950) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 22.68 yearsmale: 22.8 yearsfemale: 22.56 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.33% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:26.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:3.48 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: 1.07 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 26.92 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 22.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.5 yearsmale: 74.29 yearsfemale: 78.82 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.34 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:10,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: intermediatefood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locationsduring the transmission season (typically April through October)(2004)
Nationality:noun: Libyan(s)adjective: Libyan
Ethnic groups:Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians,Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians
Religions:Sunni Muslim 97%
Languages:Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the majorcities
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 82.6%male: 92.4%female: 72% (2003 est.)
Government Libya
Country name:conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan ArabJamahiriyaconventional short form: Libyalocal long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyahal Ishtirakiyah al Uzmalocal short form: none
Government type:Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by thepopulace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship
Capital:Tripoli
Administrative divisions:25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, AlKufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi,Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt,Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions
Independence:24 December 1951 (from Italy)
National holiday:Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution:11 December 1969; amended 2 March 1977
Legal system:based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separatereligious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyaral-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title,but is de facto chief of statehead of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee(Prime Minister) Shukri Muhammad GHANIM (since 14 June 2003)cabinet: General People's Committee established by the GeneralPeople's Congresselections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy ofpeople's committees; head of government elected by the GeneralPeople's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be heldNA)election results: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members electedindirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligiblememberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as someIslamic elements; an anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement exists,primarily based in London, but has little influence
International organization participation:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO(observer), WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:Libya does not have an embassy in the US but maintains an interestsection under the protective power of the United Arab EmiratesEmbassy in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli in May 1980, resumed embassy activities in February 2004 under the protective power of the US interests section of the Belgian Embassy in Tripoli, then opened a Liaison Office in Tripoli in June 2004
Flag description:plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the statereligion)
Economy Libya
Economy - overview:The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oilsector, which contribute practically all export earnings and aboutone-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population giveLibya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little ofthis income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyanofficials in the past four years have made progress on economicreforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the countryinto the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UNsanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced inDecember 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons ofmass destruction. Almost all US unilateral sanctions against Libyawere removed in April 2004. Libya faces a long road ahead inliberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps -including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, andannouncing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for atransition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturingand construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, haveexpanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include theproduction of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climaticconditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, andLibya imports about 75% of its food.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$37.48 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.9% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.7% industry: 45.7% services: 45.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force:1.59 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 17%, industry 29%, services 54% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:30% (2004)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):9.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $13.52 billionexpenditures: $12.23 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.6billion (2004 est.)
Public debt:8.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts,soybeans; cattle
Industries:petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts,cement
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:20.89 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:19.43 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:1.518 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:216,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:38 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:6.18 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:5.41 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:770 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.321 trillion cu m (2004)
Current account balance:$9.895 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$18.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas
Exports - partners:Italy 37%, Germany 16.6%, Spain 11.9%, Turkey 7.1%, France 6.2%(2004)
Imports:$7.224 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, transport equipment, semi-finished goods, food, consumerproducts (1999)
Imports - partners:Italy 25.5%, Germany 11%, South Korea 6.1%, UK 5.4%, Tunisia 4.7%,Turkey 4.6% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$24.18 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$4.069 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$4.4 million ODA (2002)
Currency (code):Libyan dinar (LYD)
Currency code:LYD
Exchange rates:Libyan dinars per US dollar - 1.305 (2004), 1.2929 (2003), 1.2707(2002), 0.6051 (2001), 0.5122 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Libya
Telephones - main lines in use:750,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:100,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: telecommunications system is being modernized;mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular,tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earthstationsinternational: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables toFrance and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt;tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002)
Radios:1.35 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999)
Televisions:730,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ly
Internet hosts:67 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:160,000 (2003)
Transportation Libya
Railways:0 kmnote: Libya is working on 7 lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gaugetrack; it hopes to have trains running by 2008 (2004)
Highways:total: 83,200 kmpaved: 47,590 kmunpaved: 35,610 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines:condensate 225 km; gas 3,611 km; oil 7,252 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli,Zawiyah
Merchant marine:total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 129,627 GRT/105,110 DWTby type: cargo 7, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleumtanker 1, roll on/roll off 4foreign-owned: 1 (Algeria 1) (2005)
Airports:139 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 59over 3,047 m: 232,438 to 3,047 m: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 23914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 80over 3,047 m: 52,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 to 1,523 m: 41under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)
Heliports:1 (2004 est.)
Military Libya
Military branches:Armed Peoples on Duty (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Military service age and obligation:17 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 1,505,675 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 1,291,624 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 62,034 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.3 billion (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.9% (FY99)
Transnational Issues Libya
Disputes - international:Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeriaand about 25,000 sq km in Niger in currently dormant disputes;various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Liechtenstein
Introduction Liechtenstein
Background:The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the HolyRoman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until theend of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economicdevastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enterinto a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World WarII (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's lowtaxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. Shortcomings inbanking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the useof the financial institutions for money laundering. Liechtensteinhas, however, implemented new anti-money-laundering legislation andrecently concluded a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US.
Geography Liechtenstein
Location:Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates:47 16 N, 9 32 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 160 sq kmland: 160 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
Coastline:0 km (doubly landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; coolto moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain:mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land
Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countriesin the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
People Liechtenstein
Population:33,717 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.6% (male 2,938/female 3,009)15-64 years: 70.4% (male 11,795/female 11,927)65 years and over: 12% (male 1,685/female 2,363) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 39.22 yearsmale: 38.74 yearsfemale: 39.68 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.82% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:10.41 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:7.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.01 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.55 yearsmale: 75.96 yearsfemale: 83.16 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.51 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: Liechtensteiner(s)adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups:Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%
Religions:Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2%(June 2002)
Languages:German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy:definition: age 10 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Government Liechtenstein
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Liechtensteinconventional short form: Liechtensteinlocal long form: Fuerstentum Liechtensteinlocal short form: Liechtenstein
Government type:hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic andparliamentary basis
Capital:Vaduz
Administrative divisions:11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen,Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen,Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence:23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)
National holiday:Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution:5 October 1921
Legal system:local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989,assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent PrinceALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling princeto ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of statehead of government: Head of Government Ottmar HASLER (since 5 April2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April2001)cabinet: Cabinet elected by the parliament, confirmed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag isusually appointed the head of government by the monarch and theleader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usuallyappointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected bydirect, popular vote under proportional representation to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by NA2009)election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal orObergericht
Political parties and leaders:Patriotic Union (was Fatherland Union) or VU [Heinz FROMMELT];Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Johannes MATT]; The Free List orFL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Elisabeth TELLENBACH-FRICK, Adolf RITTER]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW,OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460 FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the USAmbassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crownon the hoist side of the blue band
Economy Liechtenstein
Economy - overview:Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtensteinhas developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized,free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector andliving standards on a par with its large European neighbors. TheLiechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number ofsmall businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% -and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-calledletter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein,providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in acustoms union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as itsnational currency. It imports more than 90% of its energyrequirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the EuropeanEconomic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between theEuropean Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995.The government is working to harmonize its economic policies withthose of an integrated Europe.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$825 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:11% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: 40%services: NA% (1999)
Labor force:29,000 of whom 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria,Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1.3%, industry 47.4%, services 51.3% (31 December 2001est.)
Unemployment rate:1.3% (September 2002)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1% (2001)
Budget:revenues: $424.2 millionexpenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA(1998 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Industries:electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics,pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism,optical instruments
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Exports:$2.47 billion (1996)
Exports - commodities:small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, partsfor motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs,electronic equipment, optical products
Exports - partners:EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%
Imports:$917.3 million (1996)
Imports - commodities:agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods,textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Imports - partners:EU, Switzerland
Debt - external:$0 (2001)
Economic aid - recipient:none
Currency (code):Swiss franc (CHF)
Currency code:CHF
Exchange rates:Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586(2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Liechtenstein
Telephones - main lines in use:19,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:11,400 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: automatic telephone systemdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cableand microwave radio relay
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:21,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)
Televisions:12,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.li
Internet hosts:3,727 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000)
Internet users:20,000 (2002)
Transportation Liechtenstein
Highways: total: 250 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 0 km
Waterways:28 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 20 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:none (2004 est.)
Military Liechtenstein
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Switzerland
Transnational Issues Liechtenstein
Disputes - international:in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution ofLiechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republicconfiscated in 1945 as German property
Illicit drugs:has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money launderingremains a concern due to Liechtenstein sophisticated offshorefinancial services sector
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Lithuania
Introduction Lithuania
Background:Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed bythe USSR in 1940. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first ofthe Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did notrecognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following theabortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993.Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration intoWestern European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in thespring of 2004.
Geography Lithuania
Location:Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:56 00 N, 24 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 65,200 sq kmland: NA sq kmwater: NA sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:total: 1,273 kmborder countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km,Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline:99 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderatewinters and summers
Terrain:lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m
Natural resources: peat, arable land
Land use: arable land: 45.22% permanent crops: 0.91% other: 53.87% (2001)
Irrigated land:90 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that areancient glacial deposits
People Lithuania
Population:3,596,617 (July 2005 est.)