Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers,minerals and fuels
Imports - partners:US 37.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 21.3%, UK 10.5% (2004)
Debt - external:$167.2 million (2000)
Economic aid - recipient:$47.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (1998)
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)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Telephones - main lines in use:27,300 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:10,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate systemdomestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHFradiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of theGrenadinesinternational: country code - 1-784; VHF/UHF radiotelephone fromSaint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and toSaint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique throughSaint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:77,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus three repeaters) (2004)
Televisions:18,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.vc
Internet hosts:4 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):15 (2000)
Internet users:7,000 (2002)
Transportation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Highways: total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2002)
Ports and harbors:Kingstown
Merchant marine:total: 657 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,967,418 GRT/9,041,023 DWTby type: bulk carrier 112, cargo 366, chemical tanker 18,combination ore/oil 1, container 24, liquefied gas 4, livestockcarrier 6, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 19, petroleum tanker 29,refrigerated cargo 48, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2,vehicle carrier 1foreign-owned: 554 (Australia 2, Bangladesh 5, Barbados 1, Belgium1, British 5, Bulgaria 17, China 115, Congo 1, Croatia 7, Cuba 1,Czech Republic 1, Denmark 12, Egypt 2, Estonia 19, France 12,Germany 8, Greece 99, Guyana 3, Hong Kong 10, Iceland 11, India 6,Iran 1, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 18, Kenya 4, Latvia 9, Lebanon 6,Lithuania 3, Monaco 4, Netherlands 7, Nigeria 3, Norway 19, Pakistan4, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 20, Saudi Arabia 3,Serbia & Montenegro 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 6, South Korea 3, Spain2, Sweden 1, Switzerland 7, Syria 6, Trinidad & Tobago 1, Tunisia 2,Turkey 16, Ukraine 6, UAE 21, United Kingdom 10, United States 24)(2005)
Airports:6 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 5914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesPolice Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Disputes - international:joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that AvesIsland sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, whichpermits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a largeportion of the Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the USand Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Samoa
Introduction Samoa
Background:New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa atthe outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer theislands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, whenthe islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablishindependence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western"from its name in 1997.
Geography Samoa
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, aboutone-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 2,944 sq kmland: 2,934 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:403 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May toOctober)
Terrain:two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands anduninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky,rugged mountains in interior
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 21.2% permanent crops: 24.38% other: 54.42% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Environment - current issues:soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
People Samoa
Population:177,287 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27.2% (male 24,517/female 23,660)15-64 years: 66.4% (male 73,495/female 44,208)65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,204/female 6,203) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 24.59 yearsmale: 27.42 yearsfemale: 21.42 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.23% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:15.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:6.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-11.73 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: 1.66 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 32.68 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 22.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.72 yearsmale: 67.93 yearsfemale: 73.65 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:12
HIV/AIDS - deaths:3
Nationality:noun: Samoan(s)adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups:Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesianblood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions:Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%,Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist3.5%, other Christian 4.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other 1.7%,unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)
Languages:Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.7%male: 99.6%female: 99.7% (2003 est.)
Government Samoa
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Samoaconventional short form: Samoaformer: Western Samoa
Government type:mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Capital:Apia
Administrative divisions:11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga,Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga,Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence:1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UNtrusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated
Constitution:1 January 1962
Legal system:based on English common law and local customs; judicial review oflegislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA(since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from1992 and assumed the duties of acting prime minister in 1996, whenformer Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health;TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) afterTOFILAU died; Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001)cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief ofstate on the prime minister's adviceelections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a newchief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to servea five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief ofstate with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected byvoters affiliated with traditional village-based electoraldistricts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan orpart-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish avillage affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election tothe Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members servefive-year terms)elections: election last held 3 March 2001 (next election to be heldnot later than March 2006)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and TitlesCourt
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights ProtectionParty or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; SamoanDemocratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman](opposition)
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIAchancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited toSamoaembassy: Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building, 5th Floor, Apiamailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apiatelephone: [685] 21631/22696FAX: [685] 22030
Flag description:red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearingfive white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Crossconstellation
Economy Samoa
Economy - overview:The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent ondevelopment aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, andfishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms.Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90%of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. Themanufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Thedecline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourismis an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; about 88,000tourists visited the islands in 2001. One factory in the ForeignTrade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electricalharnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. The Samoan Governmenthas called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragementof investment, and continued fiscal discipline, meantime protectingthe environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labormarket as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreignreserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt isstable, and inflation is low.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 23% services: 63% (2001 est.)
Labor force:90,000 (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:NA
Unemployment rate:NA; note - substantial underemployment
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4% (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $105 millionexpenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2001-02)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa
Industries:food processing, building materials, auto parts
Industrial production growth rate:2.8% (2000)
Electricity - production:122 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:113.5 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$14 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts,garments, beer
Exports - partners:Australia 67.2%, US 5.7%, Indonesia 5.3% (2004)
Imports:$113 million f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:New Zealand 25.1%, Fiji 21.5%, Taiwan 9.1%, Australia 8.9%,Singapore 8.5%, Japan 7.5%, US 4.7% (2004)
Debt - external:$197 million (2000)
Economic aid - recipient:$42.9 million (1995)
Currency (code):tala (SAT)
Currency code:SAT (former WST code is still in wide use)
Exchange rates:tala per US dollar - 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003), 3.3763 (2002),3.478 (2001), 3.2864 (2000)
Fiscal year:June 1 - May 31
Communications Samoa
Telephones - main lines in use:11,800 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,700 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequatedomestic: NAinternational: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:174,849 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:8,634 (1999)
Internet country code:.ws
Internet hosts:8,225 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:4,000 (2002)
Transportation Samoa
Highways: total: 790 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 458 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Apia
Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWT by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Germany 1) (2005)
Airports:4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Samoa
Military branches:no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces;informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to considerany Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship
Transnational Issues Samoa
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@San Marino
Introduction San Marino
Background:The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco)also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According totradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marino in301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy.Social and political trends in the republic also track closely withthose of its larger neighbor.
Geography San Marino
Location:Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates:43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 61.2 sq kmland: 61.2 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain:rugged mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertificationsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Geography - note:landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy Seeand Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
People San Marino
Population:28,880 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,482/female 2,328)15-64 years: 66.5% (male 9,255/female 9,943)65 years and over: 16.9% (male 2,106/female 2,766) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 40.29 yearsmale: 39.91 yearsfemale: 40.65 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.3% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:10.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:10.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.09 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.73 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 81.62 yearsmale: 78.13 yearsfemale: 85.43 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.33 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: Sammarinese (singular and plural)adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups:Sammarinese, Italian
Religions:Roman Catholic
Languages:Italian
Literacy:definition: age 10 and over can read and writetotal population: 96%male: 97%female: 95% (1976 est.)
Government San Marino
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of San Marinoconventional short form: San Marinolocal long form: Repubblica di San Marinolocal short form: San Marino
Government type:independent republic
Capital:San Marino
Administrative divisions:9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, BorgoMaggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino,Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle
Independence:3 September 301
National holiday:Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301)
Constitution:8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functionsof a constitution
Legal system:based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Claudio MUCCIOLIand Captain Regent Antonello BACCIOCHI (for the period 1 October2005 - 31 March 2006)head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and PoliticalAffairs Fabio BERARDI (15 December 2003)cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Councilfor a five-year termelections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Greatand General Council for a six-month term; election last held NASeptember 2005 (next to be held March 2006); secretary of state forforeign and political affairs elected by the Great and GeneralCouncil for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003(next to be held June 2006 when general elections are scheduled)election results: Claudio MUCCIOLI and Antonello BACCIOCHI electedcaptains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fabio BERARDIelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;percent of legislative vote - NA%note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefsof state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of theGrand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), whichhas 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council;assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; thesecretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of theprerogatives of a prime minister
Legislative branch:unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale(60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 10 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006)election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 41.4%, PSS 24.2%,PD 20.8%, APDS 8.2%, RC 3.4%, AN 1.9%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS15, PD 12, APDS 5, RC 2, AN 1
Judicial branch:Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII
Political parties and leaders:Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM[Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN [leader NA]; Party ofDemocrats or PD [Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Christian DemocraticParty or PDCS [Giovanni LONFERNINI]; San Marino Popular Alliance ofDemocrats or APDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; San Marino Socialist Party orPSS [Alberto CECCHETTI]; Socialists for Reform or SR [Renzo GIARDI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC,IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:San Marino does not have an embassy in the UShonorary consulate(s) general: Washington, DC and New Yorkhonorary consulate(s): Detroit and Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US ConsulGeneral in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with thenational coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of armshas a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by awreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS(Liberty)
Economy San Marino
Economy - overview:The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2000 more than 3million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking,wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agriculturalproducts are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output andstandard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperousregions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$940 million (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.5% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $34,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force:18,500 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1%, industry 42%, services 57% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:2.6% (2001)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (2001)
Budget:revenues: $400 millionexpenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Industries:tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate:6% (1997 est.)
Exports:trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics
Imports:trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Imports - commodities:wide variety of consumer manufactures, food
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):euro (EUR)
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications San Marino
Telephones - main lines in use:20,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:16,800 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate connectionsdomestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated intoItalian systeminternational: country code - 378; connected to Italianinternational network
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997)
Televisions:9,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sm
Internet hosts:1,763 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:14,300 (2002)
Transportation San Marino
Highways: total: 220 km paved: 220 km unpaved: 0 km (2001)
Airports: none (2004 est.)
Military San Marino
Military branches:Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar); note - performsceremonial duties and limited police assistance
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$700,000 (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Italy
Transnational Issues San Marino
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Sao Tome and Principe
Introduction Sao Tome and Principe
Background:Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, theislands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form ofwhich lingered into the 20th century. Although independence wasachieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until thelate 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, thepolitical environment has been one of continued instability withfrequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003.The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to havea significant impact on the country's economy.
Geography Sao Tome and Principe
Location:Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling theEquator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates:1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,001 sq kmland: 1,001 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:209 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain:volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 6.25% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 44.79% (2001)
Irrigated land:100 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of achain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
People Sao Tome and Principe
Population:187,410 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47.6% (male 45,145/female 44,007)15-64 years: 48.6% (male 43,996/female 47,011)65 years and over: 3.9% (male 3,333/female 3,918) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 16.12 yearsmale: 15.53 yearsfemale: 16.71 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:3.16% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:40.8 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.51 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: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 43.11 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 45.06 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 41.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 66.99 yearsmale: 65.43 yearsfemale: 68.59 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne disease: malaria (2004)
Nationality:noun: Sao Tomean(s)adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups:mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros(descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers fromAngola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicaisborn on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Religions:Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%,other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Languages:Portuguese (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 79.3%male: 85%female: 62% (1991 est.)
Government Sao Tome and Principe
Country name:conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principeconventional short form: Sao Tome and Principelocal long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principelocal short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Government type:republic
Capital:Sao Tome
Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Independence:12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution:approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Legal system:based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September2001)head of government: Prime Minister Maria do Carmo SILVEIRA (since 7June 2005); Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA resigned 2 June 2005cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on theproposal of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held July 2006); primeminister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by thepresidentelection results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in SaoTome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats;members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held March 2006)election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force forChange Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seatsby party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23,Ue-Kedadji coalition 8
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for ChangeDemocratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action orADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome andPrincipe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto DaCOSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA];Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but doeshave a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First SecretaryDomingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor,New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; theAmbassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on anonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag description:three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), andgreen with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in thecenter of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on thehoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy Sao Tome and Principe
Economy - overview:This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent oncocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantiallydeclined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, butstrengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tomehas to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods,and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has haddifficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily onconcessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly IndebtedPoor Countries (HIPC) program, but lacking a formal povertyreduction program with the IMF, it has not benefited from subsequentHIPC debt reductions. Sao Tome's external debt stands at over $300million. Considerable potential exists for development of a touristindustry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities inrecent years. The government also has attempted to reduce pricecontrols and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the developmentof petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-richGulf of Guinea. The first production license was sold to aconsortium led by US-based oil firms. Much of the 2005 budget isdependent upon the sale of additional production licenses.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$214 million (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 16.5%industry: 15.4%services: 68.1% (2004 est.)
Labor force:NA
Labor force - by occupation:population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishingnote: shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate:NA
Population below poverty line:54% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):14% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):31.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $27.94 millionexpenditures: $43.91 million, including capital expenditures of $54million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:17 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:15.81 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Current account balance:$-31.5 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$6.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:Netherlands 35.9%, China 12.3%, Belgium 7.4%, Germany 6.3%, Poland5.1%, France 4.8%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)
Imports:$41 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleumproducts
Imports - partners:Portugal 52.3%, Germany 9.5%, US 6%, Netherlands 4.8%, South Africa4.3%, Belgium 4.1% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$29.78 million (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$318 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
Currency (code):dobra (STD)
Currency code:STD
Exchange rates:dobras per US dollar - 9,900.4 (2004), 9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3(2002), 8,842.1 (2001), 7,978.2 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sao Tome and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:7,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate facilitiesdomestic: minimal systeminternational: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:38,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:23,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.st
Internet hosts:1,069 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:15,000 (2003)
Transportation Sao Tome and Principe
Highways: total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Sao Tome
Merchant marine:total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 79,490 GRT/97,077 DWTby type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 11, chemical tanker 2foreign-owned: 2 (Egypt 1, Greece 1) (2005)
Airports:2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Sao Tome and Principe
Military branches:Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard,Presidential Guard (2004)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 33,438 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 25,950 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$700,000 (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.8% (2004)
Military - note:Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost noresouces at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operatingunilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate andmaintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 yearsin tropical climates; poor pay and conditions have been a problem inthe past, as has alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers, asreflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are beingaddressed with foreign assistance as intial steps towards theimprovement of the army and its focus on realistic securityconcerns; command is excersized from the president, through theMinister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Saudi Arabia
Introduction Saudi Arabia
Background:In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh andset out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. A sonof ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, and the country's Basic Lawstipulates that the throne shall remain in the hands of the agingsons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder. Following Iraq'sinvasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royalfamily and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troopsto deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the followingyear. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil afterOperation Desert Storm remained a source of tension between theroyal family and the public until the US military's near-completewithdrawal to neighboring Qatar in 2003. The first major terroristattacks in Saudi Arabia in several years, which occurred in May andNovember 2003, prompted renewed efforts on the part of the Saudigovernment to counter domestic terrorism and extremism, which alsocoincided with a slight upsurge in media freedom and announcement ofgovernment plans to phase in partial political representation. Aburgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largelydependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoinggovernmental concerns.
Geography Saudi Arabia
Location:Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north ofYemen
Geographic coordinates:25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 1,960,582 sq kmland: 1,960,582 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 4,431 kmborder countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:2,640 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified
Climate:harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2001)
Irrigated land:16,200 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:frequent sand and dust storms
Environment - current issues:desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lackof perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted thedevelopment of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastalpollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide greatleverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf andSuez Canal
People Saudi Arabia
Population: 26,417,599 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.2% (male 5,149,960/female 4,952,138)15-64 years: 59.4% (male 8,992,348/female 6,698,633)65 years and over: 2.4% (male 334,694/female 289,826) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 21.28 yearsmale: 22.84 yearsfemale: 19.28 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.31% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:29.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-3.85 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: 1.34 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.21 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 13.24 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 15.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.46 yearsmale: 73.46 yearsfemale: 77.55 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.01% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Saudi(s)adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups:Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions:Muslim 100%
Languages:Arabic
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 78.8%male: 84.7%female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
Government Saudi Arabia
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabiaconventional short form: Saudi Arabialocal long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyahlocal short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Government type:monarchy