Languages:Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%,other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.6%male: 99.7%female: 99.6% (2001 est.)
Government Slovakia
Country name:conventional long form: Slovak Republicconventional short form: Slovakialocal long form: Slovenska Republikalocal short form: Slovensko
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Bratislava
Administrative divisions:8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky,Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Independence:1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic andSlovakia)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution:ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed inSeptember 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amendedFebruary 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legal system:civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with theobligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Ivan MIKLOS (since 30 October1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pal CSAKY (since 30 October 1998);Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since May 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-yearterm; election last held 3 April and 17 April 2004 (next to be heldApril 2009); following National Council elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the presidentelection results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%;Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO
Legislative branch:unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna RadaSlovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis ofproportional representation to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 20-21 September 2002 (next to be held September2006)election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS-LS 19.5%, SDKU15.1%, Smer 13.5%, SMK 11.2%, KDH 8.3%, ANO 8%, KSS 6.3%; seats byparty - governing coalition 69 (SDKU 22, SMK 20, KDH 15, ANO 12),opposition 81 (HZDS 26, Smer 25, KSS 9, Free Forum 6, People's Union5, and independents 10)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council);Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group ofnominees approved by the National Council)
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Direction(Smer) [Robert FICO]; Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Movement forDemocracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA]; Movement for a DemocraticSlovakia-People's Party or HZDS-LS [Vladimir MECIAR]; New CitizensAlliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition orSMK [Bela BUGAR]; People's Union or LU [Gustav KRAJCI]; SlovakCommunist Party or KSS [Jozef SEVC]; Slovak Democratic and ChristianUnion or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS[Peter SULOVSKY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns andVillages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; MetalWorkers Unions or KOVO and METALURG
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACER chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott N.THAYERembassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislavatelephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338FAX: [421] (2) 5443-0096
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and redsuperimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoistside; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Economy Slovakia
Economy - overview:Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from acentrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDAgovernment made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomicstabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearlycomplete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands,and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boomwith business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalizationand a 19% flat tax. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectationsin 2001-04, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, atan unacceptable 15% in 2003-04, remains the economy's Achilles heel.Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$78.89 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 30.1% services: 66.4% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 2.2 million (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.8%, industry 29.3%, construction 9%, services 55.9% (2003)
Unemployment rate:13.1% (31 December 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 18.2% (1992)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:26.3 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.5% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):24% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $15.44 billionexpenditures: $16.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:46.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry;forest products
Industries:metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas,coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery;paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles;textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate:5.1% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:31.15 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% nuclear: 53.6% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:28.89 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:8 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:6 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:82,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:190 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - imports:6.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:7.504 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-1.4 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$29.24 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, basemetals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4%% (2004est.)
Exports - partners:Germany 34.4%, Czech Republic 14.7%, Austria 8.2%, Italy 5.8%,Poland 5.3%, US 4.5%, Hungary 4.3% (2004)
Imports:$29.67 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufacturedgoods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufacturedgoods 10.2% (2003)
Imports - partners:Germany 26.1%, Czech Republic 21.3%, Russia 9.1%, Austria 6.6%,Poland 4.9%, Italy 4.9% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$14.91 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$19.54 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesionfunds (2004-06)
Currency (code):Slovak koruna (SKK)
Currency code:SKK
Exchange rates:koruny per US dollar - 32.257 (2004), 36.773 (2003), 45.327 (2002),48.355 (2001), 46.035 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Slovakia
Telephones - main lines in use:1,294,700 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3,678,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: a modernization and privatization program isincreasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waitingtime for new subscribers, and generally improving service qualitydomestic: predominantly an analog system that is now receivingdigital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable,especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has beenaddedinternational: country code - 421; three international exchanges(one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available;Slovakia is participating in several internationaltelecommunications projects that will increase the availability ofexternal services
Radio broadcast stations:AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:3.12 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:6 national broadcasting, 7 regional, 67 local (2004)
Televisions:2.62 million (1997)
Internet country code:.sk
Internet hosts:89,592 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:1,375,800 (2003)
Transportation Slovakia
Railways:total: 3,662 kmbroad gauge: 100 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 3,512 km 1.435-m gauge (1,588 km electrified)narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2004)
Highways:total: 42,970 kmpaved: 37,698 km (including 302 km of expressways)unpaved: 5,272 km (2002)
Waterways:172 km (on Danube River) (2004)
Pipelines:gas 6,769 km; oil 449 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine:total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 41,891 GRT/63,185 DWTby type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1foreign-owned: 18 (Bulgaria 8, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Syria 1, Turkey6, United Kingdom 1) (2005)
Airports:34 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Slovakia
Military branches:Army of the Slovak Republic (Armady Slovenskej Republika): LandCommand, Air Forces (Vozdushne Sily), Training and Support Command,Logistics Command (2005)
Military service age and obligation: complete transition to an all-volunteer professional force is planned for 1 January 2007; 82% of Slovak armed forces were volunteers as of January 2005; volunteers include women, with minimum age of 17 years; 18 years of age for compulsory military service (January 2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,351,848 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,089,645 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 41,544 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$406 million (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.89% (2002)
Transnational Issues Slovakia
Disputes - international:Hungary amended its status law extending special social andcultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, to whichSlovakia had protested; consultations continue between Slovakia andHungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of theGabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as amember state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakiamust implement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for WesternEurope; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Slovenia
Introduction Slovenia
Background:The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austriauntil 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forminga new multinational state, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After WorldWar II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, whichthough Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfiedwith the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenessucceeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, anda stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to amodern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the springof 2004.
Geography Slovenia
Location:Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenAustria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates:46 07 N, 14 49 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 20,273 sq kmland: 20,151 sq kmwater: 122 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,334 kmborder countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km,Hungary 102 km
Coastline:46.6 km
Maritime claims:NA
Climate:Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mildto hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to theeast
Terrain:a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain regionadjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys withnumerous rivers to the east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources:lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower,forests
Land use: arable land: 8.6% permanent crops: 1.49% other: 89.91% (2001)
Irrigated land:20 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:flooding and earthquakes
Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls someof Europe's major transit routes
People Slovenia
Population:2,011,070 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 14% (male 145,016/female 137,012)15-64 years: 70.6% (male 715,629/female 704,079)65 years and over: 15.4% (male 118,298/female 191,036) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 40.23 yearsmale: 38.65 yearsfemale: 41.75 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.03% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:8.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.45 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.14 yearsmale: 72.42 yearsfemale: 80.1 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.24 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:280 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Slovene(s)adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups:Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other orunspecified 12% (2002 census)
Religions:Catholic 57.8%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 2.4%,unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)
Languages:Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%(2002 census)
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2003 est.)
Government Slovenia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form: Slovenialocal long form: Republika Slovenijalocal short form: Slovenijaformer: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia
Government type:parliamentary democratic republic
Capital:Ljubljana
Administrative divisions:182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urbanmunicipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina )Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke,Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica,Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno,Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca,Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec,Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale,Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, GornjaRadgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina,Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina,Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice,Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*,Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart,Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, LoskaDolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk,Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz naDravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce,Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje,Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica,Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka,Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci,Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne naKoroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, RogaskaSlatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic,Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju,Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*,Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno obPaki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse,Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij,Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic,Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej,Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica,Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica,Zuzemberk, Zrecenote: there may be 45 more municipalities
Independence:25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution:adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andelected by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be heldin the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalitionis usually nominated to become prime minister by the president andelected by the National Assembly; election last held 9 November 2004(next National Assembly elections to be held October 2008)election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA electedprime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consisting of a National Assembly or DrzavniZbor (90 seats; 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on aproportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected andproportionally elected seats varies with each election; members areelected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the NationalCouncil or Drzavni Svet (this is primarily an advisory bodyorganized on corporatist principles with limited legislative powers;it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decisions,and call national referenda; members are indirectly elected tofive-year terms by an electoral college)elections: National Assembly - last held 3 October 2004 (next to beheld October 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - SDS 29.1%, LDS 22.8%,ZLSD 10.2%, NSi 9%, SLS 6.8%, SNS 6.3%, DeSUS 4.1%, other 11.7%;seats by party - SDS 29, LDS 23, ZLSD 10, NSi 9, SLS 7, SNS 6, DeSUS4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on therecommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court(judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly andnominated by the president)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [AntonROUS]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Anton ROP]; New Slovenia orNSi [Andrej BAJUK]; Slovene Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA];Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People'sParty or SLS [Janez PODOBNIK]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [DarkoKRANJC]; United List of Social Democrats or ZLSD [Borut PAHOR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member),FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest),NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ZBOGAR chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York and Cleveland
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas B. ROBERTSON embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, withthe Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia'shighest peak, in white against a blue background at the center;beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, andabove it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an invertedtriangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts ofCelje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of theflag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy Slovenia
Economy - overview:Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDPper capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioningeconomies of Central Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia became thefirst transition country to graduate from borrower status to donorpartner at the World Bank. Privatization of the economy proceeded atan accelerated pace in 2002-04. Despite lackluster performance inEurope in 2001-04, Slovenia maintained moderate growth. Structuralreforms to improve the business environment have allowed for greaterforeign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lowerunemployment. Further measures to curb inflation are still needed.Corruption and the high degree of coordination between government,business, and central bank policy were issues of concern in therun-up to Slovenia's 1 May 2004 accession to the European Union. Inmid-2004 Slovenia agreed to adopt the euro by 2007 and, therefore,must keep its debt levels, budget deficits, interest rates, andinflation levels within the EU's Maastrict criteria.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$39.41 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.9% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $19,600 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 36% services: 60% (2004 est.)
Labor force:870,000 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 6%, industry 40%, services 55% (2002)
Unemployment rate:6.4% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:28.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):24.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $13.36 billionexpenditures: $13.99 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:31.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep,poultry
Industries:ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting,electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric powerequipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate:3.9% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:12.49 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:11.8 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:7.448 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:5.194 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:20 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:53,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$-51.64 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$14.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals,food
Exports - partners:Germany 18.3%, Italy 11.6%, Austria 11.5%, France 7.4%, Croatia7.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.8% (2004)
Imports:$16.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals,fuels and lubricants, food
Imports - partners:Germany 19.9%, Italy 17%, Austria 14.9%, France 10.2% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$8.493 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$14.65 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $62 million (2000 est.)
Currency (code):tolar (SIT)
Currency code:SIT
Exchange rates:tolars per US dollar - 192.38 (2004), 207.11 (2003), 240.25 (2002),242.75 (2001), 222.66 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Slovenia
Telephones - main lines in use:812,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,739,100 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: 100% digital (2000)international: country code - 386
Radio broadcast stations:AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:805,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:48 (2001)
Televisions:710,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.si
Internet hosts:45,491 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):11 (2000)
Internet users:750,000 (2002)
Transportation Slovenia
Railways: total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2004)
Highways:total: 20,250 kmpaved: 20,250 km (including 456 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (2002)
Pipelines:gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Koper
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 23
Airports:14 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)
Military Slovenia
Military branches:Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 496,929 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 405,593 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 12,816 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$370 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.7% (FY00)
Transnational Issues Slovenia
Disputes - international:the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, whichwould have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Sloveniaand several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute;as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,Slovenia must implement the strict Schengen border rules to curbillegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe whileencouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia
Illicit drugs:minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin boundfor Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Solomon Islands
Introduction Solomon Islands
Background:The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred onthese islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independencetwo years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, andendemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance ofAustralia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, anAustralian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace anddisarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to theSolomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in restoring law andorder and rebuilding government institutions.
Geography Solomon Islands
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of PapuaNew Guinea
Geographic coordinates:8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 28,450 sq kmland: 27,540 sq kmwater: 910 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain:mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use: arable land: 0.64% permanent crops: 2% other: 97.36% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region withfrequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefsare dead or dying
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean,the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
People Solomon Islands
Population:538,032 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41.9% (male 114,860/female 110,404)15-64 years: 54.9% (male 149,400/female 145,970)65 years and over: 3.2% (male 8,371/female 9,027) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 18.63 yearsmale: 18.5 yearsfemale: 18.76 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.68% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:30.74 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:3.98 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: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 21.29 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 24.27 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 18.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.66 yearsmale: 70.16 yearsfemale: 75.28 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.04 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: Solomon Islander(s)adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups:Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%,unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)
Religions:Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South SeasEvangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%,Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%,unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)
Languages:Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; Englishis official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the populationnote: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Solomon Islands
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Solomon Islandsformer: British Solomon Islands
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Honiara
Administrative divisions:9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul,Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona,Temotu, Western
Independence:7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:7 July 1978
Legal system:English common law, which is widely disregarded
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December2001)cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governorgeneral on the advice of the prime minister from among the membersof Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to fiveyears; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected primeminister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by thegovernor general on the advice of the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament
Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected fromsingle-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-yearterms)elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later thanDecember 2005)election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents18
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Partyor PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [MannasehDamukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition orSIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP[Joses TUHANUKU]note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluidcoalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECKchancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closedJuly 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to theSolomon Islands
Flag description:divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lowerhoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with fivewhite five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lowertriangle is green
Government - note:June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the interventionof Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament approved therequest for intervention in July 2003; troops from Australia, NewZealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24 July 2003. Bythe end of 2004 the Regional Assistance Mission to the SolomonIslands (RAMSI) had been scaled back to 302 police officers and 120military in addition to civilian technical advisors.
Economy Solomon Islands
Economy - overview:The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, andforestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufacturedgoods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are richin undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, andgold. Prior to the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to theSolomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closing of keybusinesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economiccollapse. RAMSI has enabled a return to law and order, a new periodof economic stability, and modest growth as the economy rebuilds.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$800 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.8% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2000 est.)
Labor force:26,840 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):10% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $49.7 millionexpenditures: $75.1 million, including capital expenditures of $0(2003)
Agriculture - products: cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish
Industries:fish (tuna), mining, timber
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:32 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:29.76 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$74 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa
Exports - partners:China 27.8%, South Korea 17.1%, Thailand 15.7%, Japan 9.7%,Philippines 4.8% (2004)
Imports:$67 million f.o.b. (2003)
Imports - commodities:food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:Australia 24.6%, Singapore 23.1%, New Zealand 7.7%, Fiji 4.8%,Papua New Guinea 4.7% (2004)
Debt - external:$180.4 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$28 million annually, mainly from Australia (2003 est.)
Currency (code):Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Currency code:SBD
Exchange rates:Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 7.4847 (2004), 7.5059(2003), 6.7488 (2002), 5.278 (2001), 5.0889 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Solomon Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:6,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004)
Radios:57,000 (1997)
Televisions:3,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sb
Internet hosts:398 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:2,200 (2002)
Transportation Solomon Islands
Highways: total: 1,360 km paved: 34 km unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Honiara, Malloco Bay, Shortland Harbor, Viru Harbor, Yandina
Airports:33 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)
Military Solomon Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Solomon Islands
Disputes - international:Australian Defense Force leads the Regional Assistance Mission tothe Solomon Islands (RAMSI) at the invitation of the SolomonIslands' Government to maintain civil and political order andreinforce regional security
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Somalia
Introduction Somalia
Background:The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991;turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the yearssince. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independentRepublic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regionsof Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although notrecognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stableexistence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan andeconomic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, andAmerican military assistance programs. The regions of Bari andNugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declaredautonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made stridestowards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, buthas suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border withSomaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag.Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily inthe south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UNwithdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, orderstill had not been restored. The mandate of the TransitionalNational Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti,expired in August 2003. New Somali President Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmedhas formed a new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) consisting ofa 275-member parliament. It was established in October 2004 toreplace the TNG but has not yet moved to Mogadishu. Discussionsregarding the establishment of a new government in Mogadishu areongoing in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fightingfor control of the capital city as well as for other southernregions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism furthercomplicates the picture.
Geography Somalia
Location:Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean,east of Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates:10 00 N, 49 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 637,657 sq kmland: 627,337 sq kmwater: 10,320 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries: total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline:3,025 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon,moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October- southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south,irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) betweenmonsoons
Terrain:mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
Natural resources:uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum,bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.29% (2001)
Irrigated land:2,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains insummer; floods during rainy season
Environment - current issues:famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human healthproblems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note:strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches toBab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
People Somalia
Population:8,591,629note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia iscomplicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movementsin response to famine and clan warfare (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,918,209/female 1,905,974)15-64 years: 52.9% (male 2,278,406/female 2,263,602)65 years and over: 2.6% (male 96,256/female 129,182) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 17.59 yearsmale: 17.53 yearsfemale: 17.65 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:3.38% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:45.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:16.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 116.7 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 126.06 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 107.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)