Radio broadcast stations:AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)
Radios:815,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:6 (2000)
Televisions:196,000 (2000)
Internet country code:.ao
Internet hosts:17 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:41,000 (2002)
Transportation Angola
Railways: total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2004)
Highways: total: 51,429 km paved: 5,328 km unpaved: 46,101 km (2001)
Waterways:1,300 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km;oil 837 km; refined products 56 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 26,123 GRT/42,879 DWTby type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1registered in other countries: 4 (2005)
Airports:243 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 211over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 30914 to 1,523 m: 95under 914 m: 80 (2004 est.)
Military Angola
Military branches:Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces(FANA)
Military service age and obligation:17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript serviceobligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 2,423,221 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 1,174,548 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 121,254 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$183.58 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:10.6% (2004)
Transnational Issues Angola
Disputes - international:90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated by 2004, the remainingrefugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia areexpected to return in 2005; many Cabinda exclave secessionists havesought shelter in neighboring states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 40,000-60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 millionIDPs already have returned) (2004)
Illicit drugs:used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for WesternEurope and other African states
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@Anguilla
Introduction Anguilla
Background:Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguillawas administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, whenthe island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - wasincorporated into a single British dependency, along with SaintKitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, twoyears after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; thisarrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becominga separate British dependency.
Geography Anguilla
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North AtlanticOcean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 102 sq kmland: 102 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:61 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources:salt, fish, lobster
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, somecommercial salt ponds) (2001)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People Anguilla
Population:13,254 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,561/female 1,517)15-64 years: 69.9% (male 4,767/female 4,501)65 years and over: 6.9% (male 405/female 503) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 30.76 yearsmale: 30.81 yearsfemale: 30.7 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.77% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:14.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:5.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 14.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.11 yearsmale: 74.18 yearsfemale: 80.12 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.73 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: Anguillan(s)adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups:black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other1.6% (2001 Census)
Religions:Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, RomanCatholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified4.3% (2001 Census)
Languages:English (official)
Literacy:definition: age 12 and over can read and writetotal population: 95%male: 95%female: 95% (1984 est.)
Government Anguilla
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:The Valley
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution:Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Governor Alan Eden HUCKLE (since 28 May 2004)head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March2000)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among theelected members of the House of Assemblyelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by directpopular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members servefive-year terms)elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, ANSA 19.2%,AUM 19.4%, APP 9.5 %, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA2, AUM 1
Judicial branch:High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The AnguillaUnited Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition ofthe Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla NationalAlliance or ANA; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS];Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate),UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlockingcircular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Economy Anguilla
Economy - overview:Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavilyon luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, andremittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourismindustry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have putsubstantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for theeconomy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, onrevived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as onfavorable weather conditions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$112 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.8% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $7,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.)
Labor force: 6,049 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:8% (2002)
Population below poverty line:23% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3%
Budget:revenues: $22.8 millionexpenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries:tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:3.1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:NA
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA
Electricity - consumption:42.6 million kWh
Exports:$2.6 million (1999)
Exports - commodities:lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Exports - partners:UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000)
Imports:$80.9 million (1999)
Imports - commodities:fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Imports - partners:US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000)
Debt - external:$8.8 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient:$9 million (2004 est.)
Currency (code):East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)note: fixed rate since 1976
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Anguilla
Telephones - main lines in use:6,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,800 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: modern internal telephone systeminternational: country code - 1-264; microwave radio relay to islandof Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:3,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:1,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ai
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:3,000 (2002)
Transportation Anguilla
Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997)
Ports and harbors:Blowing Point, Road Bay
Airports:3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Military Anguilla
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Anguilla
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Antarctica
Introduction Antarctica
Background:Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was notconfirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercialoperators and British and Russian national expeditions beganexploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south ofthe Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established thatAntarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20thcentury. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientificresearch on the continent. A number of countries have set upyear-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have madeterritorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. Inorder to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on thecontinent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither deniesnor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Geography Antarctica
Location:continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references:Antarctic Region
Area:total: 14 million sq kmland: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq kmice-covered) (est.)note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, NorthAmerica, and South America, but larger than Australia and thesubcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international
Coastline:17,968 km
Maritime claims:Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from theircontinental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones arenot accepted by other countries; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultativenations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russiaand the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognizethe claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes -international entry
Climate:severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distancefrom the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarcticabecause of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the mostmoderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along thecoast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain:about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, withaverage elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain rangesup to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts ofsouthern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area,and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelvesalong about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelvesconstitute 11% of the area of the continent
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 mhighest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 mnote: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in theBentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yetdiscovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Natural resources:iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and otherminerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in smalluncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2001)
Irrigated land:0 sq km
Natural hazards:katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the highinterior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along thecoast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of WestAntarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs maycalve from ice shelf
Environment - current issues:in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone holewas the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passingthrough the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fishlacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harmone-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas ofice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Geography - note:the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent;during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the SouthPole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostlyuninhabitable
People Antarctica
Population:no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent andsummer-only staffed research stationsnote: 26 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operateseasonal (summer) and year-round research stations on the continentand in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing andsupporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the AntarcticTreaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 inwinter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship'screw and scientists doing onboard research are present in the watersof the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total;Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16,Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60,Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43,Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population -964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10,Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99);research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (southof 60 degrees south) by members of the Council of Managers ofNational Antarctic Programs (COMNAP): year-round stations - 38total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, France1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Poland 1,Russia 6, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1, Italyand France jointly 1 (2005); summer-only stations - 34 total;Argentina 8, Australia 2, Bulgaria 1, Chile 5, Ecuador 1, Finland 1,Germany 2, Italy 1, Japan 3, Norway 2, Peru 1, Russia 2, SouthAfrica 1, Spain 2, Sweden 1, UK 1 (2004-2005); in addition, duringthe austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locationssuch as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobiletraverses in support of research
Government Antarctica
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica
Government type: Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 27th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Cape Town, South Africa in May-June 2004; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2003, there were 45 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 17 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Ukraine (1992), Uruguay (1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), and Venezuela (1999); Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, and 5) area protection and management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Legal system:Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultativemember nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out bythese member nations (with respect to their own nationals andoperations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law,including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, suchas murder, may apply extra-territorially; some US laws directlyapply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penaltiesfor the following activities, unless authorized by regulation ofstatute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction ofnonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protectedareas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importationinto the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of theAntarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 infines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation andDepartment of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, inadvance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State,Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations asrequired by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contactPermit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National ScienceFoundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, orvisit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to theAntarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90degrees latitude South, is subject to a number of relevant legalinstruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states partyto the Antarctic Treaty.
Economy Antarctica
Economy - overview:Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account forthe limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulatedfishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a serious problem.The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine LivingResources determines the recommended catch limits for marinespecies. A total of 13,571 tourists visited in the 2002-03 antarcticsummer, up from the 11,588 visitors the previous year. Nearly all ofthem were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships andseveral yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist tripslast approximately two weeks.
Communications Antarctica
Telephones - main lines in use:0note: information for US bases only (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: local systems at some research stationsdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 672; via satellite (mobile Inmarsatand Iridium system) from some research stations
Radio broadcast stations:AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1note: information for US bases only (2002)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces AntarcticNetwork-McMurdo)note: information for US bases only (2002)
Televisions:several hundred at McMurdo Station (US)note: information for US bases only (2001)
Internet country code:.aq
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Transportation Antarctica
Ports and harbors:there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; mostcoastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies aretransferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, andhelicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastalstations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under"Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection inaccordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage issparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments andauthorization procedures adopted by the states party to theAntarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, toall areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to becomplied with (see "Legal System") (2004)
Airports:there are no developed public access airports or landingfacilities; 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments partyto the Antarctic Treaty, have restricted aircraft landing facilitiesfor either helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft; commercialenterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities;helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitablefor landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, one is greaterthan 3 km in length, six are between 2 km and 3 km in length, threeare between 1 km and 2 km in length, three are less than 1 km inlength, and two are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limitedto use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available atanother 15 locations; of these, four are greater than 3 km inlength, three are between 2 km and 3 km in length, two are between 1km and 2 km in length, two are less than 1 km in length, and fourare of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subjectto severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extremeseasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities donot meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respectivegovernmental or nongovernmental operating organization required forusing their facilities; landed aircraft are subject to inspection inaccordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; guidelines for theoperation of aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarcticawere adopted in 2004; relevant legal instruments and authorizationprocedures adopted by states party to the Antarctic Treatyregulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areasbetween 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to be compliedwith (see information under "Legal System"); an Antarctic FlightInformation Manual (AFIM) providing up-to-date details of Antarcticair facilities and procedures is maintained and published by theCouncil of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)
Heliports:27 stations have restricted helicopter landing facilities(helipads) (2004 est.)
Military Antarctica
Military - note:the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature,such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, thecarrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type ofweapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment forscientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Transnational Issues Antarctica
Disputes - international:Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary inGovernment type entry); Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ,Norway, and UK claim land and maritime sectors (some overlapping)for a large portion of the continent; the US and many other statesdo not recognize these territorial claims and have made no claimsthemselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claimshave been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degreeswest; several states with territorial claims in Antarctica haveexpressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on theLimits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelfclaims to adjoining undersea ridges
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Antigua and Barbuda
Introduction Antigua and Barbuda
Background:The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua andBarbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated theislands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Earlysettlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the Englishwho formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugarplantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became anindependent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
Geography Antigua and Barbuda
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:17 03 N, 61 48 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)land: 442.6 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:153 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some highervolcanic areas
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Natural resources:NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:arable land: 18.18%permanent crops: 4.55%other: 77.27% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harborsand beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor
People Antigua and Barbuda
Population:68,722 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27.9% (male 9,767/female 9,427)15-64 years: 68% (male 23,466/female 23,250)65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,085/female 1,727) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 29.67 yearsmale: 29.19 yearsfemale: 30.15 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.57% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:17.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-6.11 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 19.46 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 15.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.9 yearsmale: 69.53 yearsfemale: 74.38 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.26 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: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic groups:black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Religions:Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and someRoman Catholic)
Languages:English (official), local dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years ofschoolingtotal population: 89%male: 90%female: 88% (1960 est.)
Government Antigua and Barbuda
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Government type:constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament
Capital:Saint John's (Antigua)
Administrative divisions:6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George,Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Independence:1 November 1981 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)
Constitution:1 November 1981
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir James B. CARLISLE (since 10 June1993)head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24March 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general onthe advice of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosenby the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; followinglegislative elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime ministerby the governor general
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member bodyappointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives(17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation toserve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (nextto be held NA 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -ALP 4, UPP 13
Judicial branch:Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge ofthe Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over theCourt of Summary Jurisdiction)
Political parties and leaders:Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People'sMovement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP[Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - UnitedNational Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean LiberationMovement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM)
Political pressure groups and leaders:Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People'sDemocratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
International organization participation:ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber),ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel A. HURST chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Flag description:red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge ofthe flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black(top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the blackband
Economy Antigua and Barbuda
Economy - overview:Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more thanhalf of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 haveslowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tightfiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production isfocused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited watersupply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wagesin tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-typeassembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts,and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in themedium term will continue to depend on income growth in theindustrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts forslightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$750 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002)
Labor force:30,000
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 7%, industry 11%, services 82% (1983)
Unemployment rate:11% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.4% (2000 est.)
Budget:revenues: $123.7 millionexpenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes,sugarcane; livestock
Industries:tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol,household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate:6% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:110.8 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:103 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$689 million (2002)
Exports - commodities:petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transportequipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%
Exports - partners:Poland 47.8%, UK 24.6%, Germany 8.7% (2004)
Imports:$692 million (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,manufactures, chemicals, oil
Imports - partners:China 19.5%, US 18.7%, Singapore 14.8%, Poland 8.5%, Trinidad andTobago 4.7% (2004)
Debt - external:$231 million (1999)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.3 million (1995)
Currency (code):East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)note: fixed rate since 1976
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Antigua and Barbuda
Telephones - main lines in use:38,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:38,200 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: good automatic telephone systeminternational: country code - 1-268; 1 coaxial submarine cable;satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); troposphericscatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:36,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1997)
Televisions:31,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ag
Internet hosts:1,665 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:10,000 (2002)
Transportation Antigua and Barbuda
Highways:total: 250 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Saint John's
Merchant marine:total: 980 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,873,626 GRT/7,683,143 DWTby type: bulk carrier 33, cargo 630, chemical tanker 9, container272, liquefied gas 9, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, rollon/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 1foreign-owned: 923 (Australia 2, Bangladesh 4, Belgium 4, Colombia2, Denmark 8, Estonia 2, Germany 849, Iceland 5, Latvia 5, Lebanon2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 11, Norway 3, Philippines 1, Russia 1,Slovenia 5, Sweden 1, Switzerland 5, Turkey 4, United Kingdom 1,United States 7) (2005)
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 Antigua and Barbuda
Military branches:Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: Infantry, Coast Guard(2004)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscript military service (2001)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Antigua and Barbuda
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for theUS and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Arctic Ocean
Introduction Arctic Ocean
Background:The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (afterthe Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recentlydelimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) andNorthern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonalwaterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routescircumscribes the Arctic Ocean.
Geography Arctic Ocean
Location:body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly northof the Arctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:90 00 N, 0 00 E
Map references:Arctic Region
Area:total: 14.056 million sq kmnote: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea,East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, KaraSea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:45,389 km
Climate:polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relativelynarrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized bycontinuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clearskies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggyweather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Terrain:central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that,on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may bethree times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the BeaufortGyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the NewSiberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland andIceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer,but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to theencircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continentalshelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a centralbasin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera,Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Natural hazards:ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extremenortheastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice lockedfrom October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing fromOctober to May
Environment - current issues:endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragileecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions ordamage; thinning polar icepack
Geography - note:major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access tothe Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location betweenNorth America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremesof eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operatedby the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10months
Economy Arctic Ocean
Economy - overview:Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of naturalresources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Transportation Arctic Ocean
Ports and harbors:Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Transportation - note:sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the NorthwestPassage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) areimportant seasonal waterways
Transnational Issues Arctic Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Argentina
Introduction Argentina
Background:Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experiencedperiods of internal political conflict between conservatives andliberals and between civilian and military factions. After World WarII, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference insubsequent governments was followed by a military junta that tookpower in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous electionssince then have underscored Argentina's progress in democraticconsolidation.
Geography Argentina
Location:Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenChile and Uruguay
Geographic coordinates:34 00 S, 64 00 W
Map references:South America
Area:total: 2,766,890 sq kmland: 2,736,690 sq kmwater: 30,200 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 9,665 kmborder countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Coastline:4,989 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Terrain:rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateauof Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto SanJulian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of SantaCruz)highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwesterncorner of the province of Mendoza)
Natural resources:fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore,manganese, petroleum, uranium
Land use: arable land: 12.31% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 87.21% (2001)
Irrigated land:15,610 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject toearthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike thepampas and northeast; heavy flooding
Environment - current issues: environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets