Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.74 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.82 yearsmale: 75.44 yearsfemale: 80.31 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.82 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 1,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Cypriot(s)adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic groups:Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)
Religions:Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, andother 4%
Languages:Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.6%male: 98.9%female: 96.3% (2003 est.)
Government Cyprus
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Cyprusconventional short form: Cypruslocal long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyetilocal short form: Kypros/Kibrisnote: the Turkish Cypriot community (north Cyprus) refers to itselfas the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)
Government type:republicnote: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting theisland began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; thisseparation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention inJuly 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gavethe Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriotscontrol the only internationally recognized government; on 15November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declaredindependence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of NorthernCyprus" (TRNC), which is recognized only by Turkey
Capital:name: Nicosia (Lefkosia)geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 Etime difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia,Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisionsinclude Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small partsof Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca
Independence:16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimedself-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but theseproclamations are only recognized by Turkey
National holiday:Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriotscelebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day
Constitution:16 August 1960; from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longerparticipated in the government; negotiations to create the basis fora new or revised constitution to govern the island and for betterrelations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been heldintermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their ownconstitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish FederatedState of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of NorthernCyprus" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5May 1985
Legal system:based on common law, with civil law modifications; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriothead of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March2003); note - post of vice president is currently vacant; under the1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriotcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president andvice presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent ofvote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, AlekosMARKIDIS 6.6%note: Mehmet Ali TALAT became "president" of north Cyprus, 24 April2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results -Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is"prime minister"; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in northCyprus, appointed by the "prime minister"
Legislative branch:unicameral - Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives or VouliAntiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 toTurkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots arefilled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-yearterms); north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi(50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-yearterms)elections: Republic of Cyprus: last held 27 May 2001 (next to beheld 21 May 2006); north Cyprus: last held 14 December 2003 (next tobe held in 2008)election results: Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives -percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%, DIKO 14.84%, KISOS6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19,DIKO 9, KISOS 4, other 4; north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic -percent of vote by party - CTP 35.8%, UBP 32.3%, Peace andDemocratic Movement 13.4%, DP 12.3%; seats by party - CTP 19, UBP18, Peace and Democratic Movement 6, DP 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president andvice president)note: there is also a Supreme Court in north Cyprus
Political parties and leaders:Republic of Cyprus: Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS];Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; European Democracyor EURO.DE [Prodromos PRODROMOU] (evolved from For Europe whichmerged with New Horizons); European Party or EURO.KO [DemetrisSYLLOURIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [DinosMIKHAILIDIS]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; Movement forSocial Democracy United Democratic Union of Center or KISOS[Yannakis OMIROU]; Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL(Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; United Democrats Movementor EDE [Michalis PAPAPETROU]; north Cyprus: Democratic Party or DP[Serder DENKTASH]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN];National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [OkyaySADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Alpay DURDURAN]; Peaceand Democratic Movement [Mustafa AKINCI]; Republican Turkish Partyor CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederationof Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of TurkishCypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation orPEO (Communist controlled)
International organization participation:Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer),OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas KAKOURIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Osman ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald L. SCHLICHERembassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi,Nicosiamailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosiatelephone: [357] (22) 393939FAX: [357] (22) 780944
Flag description:white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the nameCyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two greencrossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branchessymbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greekand Turkish communitiesnote: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has ahorizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a redcrescent and red star on a white field
Economy Cyprus
Economy - overview:The Republic of Cyprus has a market economy dominated by theservice sector, which accounts for 76% of GDP. Tourism and financialservices are the most important sectors; erratic growth rates overthe past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, whichoften fluctuates with political instability in the region andeconomic conditions in Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economygrew a healthy 3.7% per year in 2004 and 2005, well above the EUaverage. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2)in May 2005. The government has initiated an aggressive austerityprogram, which has cut the budget deficit to below 3% but continuedfiscal discipline is necessary if Cyprus is to meet its goal ofadopting the euro on 1 January 2008. As in the area administered byTurkish Cypriots, water shortages are a perennial problem; a fewdesalination plants are now on line. After 10 years of drought, thecountry received substantial rainfall from 2001-03 alleviatingimmediate concerns. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughlyone-third of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growthtends to be volatile, given north Cyprus's relative isolation,bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and smallmarket size. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew 15.4% in 2004, fueledby growth in the construction and education sectors, as well asincreased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus.The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from theTurkish Government. Under the 2003-06 economic protocol, Ankaraplans to provide around $550 million to the "TRNC." Agriculture andservices, together, employ more than half of the work force.
GDP (purchasing power parity):Republic of Cyprus: $16.81 billion; north Cyprus: $4.54 billion(2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):Republic of Cyprus: $15.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:Republic of Cyprus: 3.8%; north Cyprus: 10.6% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):Republic of Cyprus: $21,600 (2005 est.); north Cyprus: $7,135 (2004est.)
GDP - composition by sector:Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 3.7%; industry 19.8%; services76.5% (2005 est.)north Cyprus: agriculture 10.6%; industry 20.5%; services 68.9%(2003 est.)
Labor force:Republic of Cyprus: 370,000, north Cyprus: 95,025 (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 7.4%, industry 38.2%, services54.4% (2004 est.)north Cyprus: agriculture 14.5%, industry 29%, services 56.5% (2004est.)
Unemployment rate:Republic of Cyprus: 4% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: 5.6% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):Republic of Cyprus: 2.6% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: 9.1% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):Republic of Cyprus: 19.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: Republic of Cyprus - $6.698 billion (2005 est.)expenditures: Republic of Cyprus - $7.122 billion (2005 est.)revenues: $685.7 million; north Cyprus - $231.3 million (2003 est.)expenditures: north Cyprus - $432.8 million (2003 est.)
Public debt:Republic of Cyprus: 70.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry,pork, lamb; dairy, cheese
Industries:tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsumproduction, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, lightchemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products
Industrial production growth rate:Republic of Cyprus: 0.4% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: -0.3% (2002est.)
Electricity - production:Republic of Cyprus: 3.801 billion kWh; north Cyprus: NA kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption: Republic of Cyprus: 3.535 billion kWh (2004); north Cyprus: NA kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:Republic of Cyprus: 300 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:Republic of Cyprus: 52,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:Republic of Cyprus: $-962.3 million (2005 est.)
Exports:Republic of Cyprus: $1.237 billion f.o.b.; north Cyprus: $69million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:Republic of Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement,clothing and cigarettes; north Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, textiles
Exports - partners:France 17.7%, UK 17%, Greece 12.2%, Germany 5.7% (2005)
Imports:Republic of Cyprus: $5.552 billion f.o.b.;; north Cyprus: $415.2million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:Republic of Cyprus: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants,intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment; north Cyprus:vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery
Imports - partners:Greece 17.3%, Italy 10.3%, UK 9%, Germany 8.4%, Israel 7.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:Republic of Cyprus: $4.429 billion; north Cyprus $NA (2005 est.)
Debt - external:Republic of Cyprus: $10.53 billion; north Cyprus: $NA (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:Republic of Cyprus - $NA; north Cyprus - $700 million from Turkeyin grants and loans, which are usually forgiven (2003-06)
Currency (code):Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area:Turkish New lira (YTL)
Currency code:CYP; TRL
Exchange rates:Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174(2003), 0.6107 (2002), 0.6431 (2001), Turkish lira per US dollar -1.36 (2005), 1.426 million (2004), 1.501 million (2003), 1.507million (2002), 1.226 million (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Cyprus
Telephones - main lines in use:Republic of Cyprus: 420,000 (2005); north Cyprus: 86,228 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:Republic of Cyprus: 718,800 (2005); north Cyprus: 143,178 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent in both Republic of Cyprus and northCyprus areasdomestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relayinternational: country code - 357 (area administered by TurkishCypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); troposphericscatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satelliteearth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:Republic of Cyprus: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0north Cyprus: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004)
Radios:Greek Cypriot area: 310,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 56,450(1994)
Television broadcast stations:Republic of Cyprus: 8north Cyprus: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004)
Televisions:Greek Cypriot area: 248,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 52,300(1994)
Internet country code:.cy
Internet hosts:67,589 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:298,000 (2005)
Transportation Cyprus
Airports: 16 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Heliports:10 (2006)
Roadways:total: 14,496 km (Republic of Cyprus: 12,146 km; north Cyprus:2,350 km)paved: Republic of Cyprus: 7,845 km (including 276 km ofexpressways); north Cyprus: 1,370 kmunpaved: Republic of Cyprus: 4,301 km; north Cyprus: 980 km(2005/1996 est.)
Merchant marine:total: 884 ships (1000 GRT or over) 19,477,944 GRT/31,157,473 DWTby type: bulk carrier 354, cargo 210, chemical tanker 44, container145, liquefied gas 8, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 23, petroleumtanker 64, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 9, vehiclecarrier 5foreign-owned: 777 (Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 11, Croatia 2, Cuba2, Denmark 1, Estonia 6, Germany 214, Greece 337, Greenland 1, HongKong 1, India 5, Iran 2, Ireland 3, Israel 3, Italy 2, Japan 17,South Korea 1, Latvia 4, Netherlands 18, Norway 16, Philippines 1,Poland 20, Portugal 2, Russia 53, Singapore 1, Slovakia 1, Slovenia4, Spain 7, Sweden 3, Switzerland 4, Syria 3, UAE 11, UK 6, Ukraine4, US 7, unknown 1)registered in other countries: 87 (Bahamas 13, Belize 2, Cambodia12, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 1, Isle of Man 1, Liberia 3,Malta 15, Marshall Islands 15, Norway 2, Panama 14, Portugal 1,Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Turkey2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos
Military Cyprus
Military branches:Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includesair and naval elements); north Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot SecurityForce (GKK)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:Greek Cyriot National Guard (GCNG):males age 18-49: 184,352females age 18-49: 175,567 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:Greek Cyriot National Guard (GCNG):males age 18-49: 150,750females age 18-49: 144,344 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:Greek Cyriot National Guard (GCNG):males age 18-49: 6,578females age 18-49: 6,200 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$384 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.8% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Cyprus
Disputes - international:hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomousentities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and aTurkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UNPeacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; March2003 reunification talks failed, but Turkish-Cypriots later openedtheir borders to temporary visits by Greek Cypriots; on 24 April2004, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities voted insimultaneous and parallel referenda on whether to approve theUN-brokered Annan Plan that would have ended the 30-year division ofthe island by establishing a new "United Cyprus Republic," amajority of Greek Cypriots voted "no"; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus enteredthe European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislationand standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 265,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced forover 30 years) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Cyprus is primarily a destination country for alarge number of women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe,the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic for the purpose ofsexual exploitation; traffickers continued to fraudulently recruitvictims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term"artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, orfor illegal work on tourist or student visas; there were crediblereports of female domestic workers from India, Sri Lanka, and thePhilippines forced to work excessively long hours and denied propercompensationtier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cyprus does not fully comply withthe minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and failedto show evidence of increasing efforts to address its serioustrafficking for sexual exploitation problem; however, it is makingsignificant efforts to do so
Illicit drugs:minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes andcontainer traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey;some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening ofanti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to moneylaundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sectorremains weak
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Czech Republic
Introduction Czech Republic
Background:Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs andSlovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to formCzechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaderswere frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnicminorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans andthe Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncatedCzechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968,an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country'sleaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialismwith a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following yearushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Sovietauthority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through apeaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the countryunderwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, theCzech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999and the European Union in 2004.
Geography Czech Republic
Location:Central Europe, southeast of Germany
Geographic coordinates:49 45 N, 15 30 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 78,866 sq kmland: 77,276 sq kmwater: 1,590 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:total: 2,290.2 kmborder countries: Austria 466.3 km, Germany 810.3 km, Poland 761.8km, Slovakia 251.8 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaussurrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of veryhilly country
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m
Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber
Land use: arable land: 38.82% permanent crops: 3% other: 58.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:240 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding
Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and mostsignificant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditionalmilitary corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube incentral Europe
People Czech Republic
Population:10,235,455 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 14.4% (male 755,098/female 714,703)15-64 years: 71.2% (male 3,656,021/female 3,629,036)65 years and over: 14.5% (male 576,264/female 904,333) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 39.3 yearsmale: 37.5 yearsfemale: 41.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.06% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.02 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:10.59 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.24 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.22 yearsmale: 72.94 yearsfemale: 79.69 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.21 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,500 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 10 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Czech(s)adjective: Czech
Ethnic groups:Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)
Languages:Czech
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Czech Republic
Country name:conventional long form: Czech Republicconventional short form: Czech Republiclocal long form: Ceska Republikalocal short form: Cesko
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Praguegeographic coordinates: 40 55 N, 21 00 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavnimesto); Jihocesky Kraj, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Karlovarsky Kraj,Kralovehradecky Kraj, Liberecky Kraj, Moravskoslezsky Kraj,Olomoucky Kraj, Pardubicky Kraj, Plzensky Kraj, Praha (Prague)*,Stredocesky Kraj, Ustecky Kraj, Vysocina, Zlinsky Kraj
Independence:1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic andSlovakia)
National holiday:Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)
Constitution:ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993
Legal system:civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in linewith Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003)note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped downfrom office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years;parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after twoinconclusive elections in January 2003head of government: Prime Minister Mirek TOPOLANEK (since 4September 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Petr NECAS (since 4 September2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); last successful election held 28February 2003 (after earlier elections held 15 and 24 January 2003were inconclusive; next election to be held January 2008); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round;combined votes of both chambers of parliament)
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat(81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-yearterms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber ofDeputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 20-21 and 27-28 October2006 (next to be held October 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty - ODS 41, CSSD 12, KDU-CSL 10, others 15, independents 2;Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats byparty - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmenare appointed by the president for a 10-year term
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL[Jan KASAL, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [JirinaNOVAKOVA, chairwoman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [MirekTOPOLANEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM[Vojtech FILIP, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD[Jiri PAROUBEK, chairman]; Freedom Union-Democratic Union or US-DEU[Jan HADRAVA, chairman]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK, chairman];Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY, chairman]; Partyof Open Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK, chairman]; Path of Change[Jiri LOBKOWITZ, chairman]; SNK-European Democrats or SNK-ED [JanaHYBASKOVA, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Milan STECH]
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI,CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU (new member),FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA,MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF(observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Petr KOLARchancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. GRABERembassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1mailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [420] 257 022 000FAX: [420] 257 022 809
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blueisosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag ofthe former Czechoslovakia)
Economy Czech Republic
Economy - overview:The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of thepost-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Growth in2000-05 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany,and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic investment. Domesticdemand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growthas interest rates drop and the availability of credit cards andmortgages increases. The current account deficit has declined toaround 3% of GDP as demand for Czech products in the European Unionhas increased. Inflation is under control. Recent accession to theEU gives further impetus and direction to structural reform. Inearly 2004 the government passed increases in the Value Added Tax(VAT) and tightened eligibility for social benefits with theintention to bring the public finance gap down to 4% of GDP by 2006,but more difficult pension and healthcare reforms will have to waituntil after the next elections. Privatization of the state-ownedtelecommunications firm Cesky Telecom took place in 2005.Intensified restructuring among large enterprises, improvements inthe financial sector, and effective use of available EU funds shouldstrengthen output growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$204.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$109.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.1% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$20,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 39.3% services: 57.3% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 5.27 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.1% industry: 37.6% services: 58.3% (2003)
Unemployment rate:7.9% (2005)
Population below poverty line:At risk of poverty after social transfers: 8%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:27.3 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.9% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):26.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $48.16 billionexpenditures: $53.04 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:25.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry
Industries:metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass,armaments
Industrial production growth rate:5.7% (2005)
Electricity - production:84.33 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 76.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 20% other: 1% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:57.12 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:25.49 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:9.776 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:15,240 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - consumption:202,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:26,670 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:182,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:15 million bbl (1 January 2006)
Natural gas - production:133 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:9.623 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:1 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:9.8 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - proved reserves:3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2003)
Current account balance:$-2.496 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$78.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 52%, chemicals 5%, raw materialsand fuel 9% (2003)
Exports - partners:Germany 33.5%, Slovakia 8.7%, Austria 5.5%, Poland 5.5%, France5.3%, UK 4.6%, Italy 4.3% (2005)
Imports:$76.59 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%,chemicals 10% (2003)
Imports - partners:Germany 30%, Russia 5.7%, Slovakia 5.4%, China 5.1%, Poland 5%,Italy 4.8%, France 4.5%, Netherlands 4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$29.36 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$49.14 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.8 billion in committed EU structural adjustment and cohesionfunds (2004-06)
Currency (code):Czech koruna (CZK)
Currency code:CZK
Exchange rates:koruny per US dollar - 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004), 28.209 (2003),32.739 (2002), 38.035 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Czech Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:3,217,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:11.776 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czechtelecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily;growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularlyvigorousdomestic: 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscribersystems now being enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line(ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals;trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relayinternational: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 2Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar
Radio broadcast stations:AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000)
Radios:3,159,134 (December 2000)
Television broadcast stations:150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000)
Televisions:3,405,834 (December 2000)
Internet country code:.cz
Internet hosts:1,267,265 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):more than 300 (2000)
Internet users:5.1 million (2005)
Transportation Czech Republic
Airports: 121 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 75 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 49 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2006)
Railways:total: 9,572 kmstandard gauge: 9,473 km 1.435-m gauge (2,951 km electrified)narrow gauge: 99 km 0.760-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 127,747 kmpaved: 127,747 km (including 518 km of expressways) (2003)
Waterways:664 km (principally on Elbe as well as Vltava and Oder rivers)(2005)
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem
Military Czech Republic
Military branches:Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includesair forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; on-going transformation of military service into a fully professional, all-volunteer force no longer dependent on conscription began in January 2004 and is scheduled to be completed by 2007 (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 2,414,728females age 18-49: 2,329,412 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,996,631females age 18-49: 1,923,508 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 66,583females age 18-49: 63,363 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.17 billion (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.81% FY05
Transnational Issues Czech Republic
Disputes - international:in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution ofLiechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republicconfiscated in 1945 as German property; individual Sudeten Germansseek restitution for property confiscated in connection with theirexpulsion from Czechoslovakia after World War II; Austriananti-nuclear activists have revived blockades of the Czech-Austrianborder to protest operation of the Temelin nuclear power plant inthe Czech Republic
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transitpoint for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer ofsynthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to moneylaundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Denmark
Introduction Denmark
Background:Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north Europeanpower, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that isparticipating in the general political and economic integration ofEurope. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973.However, the country has opted out of certain elements of theEuropean Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economicand Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issuesconcerning certain justice and home affairs.
Geography Denmark
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on apeninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two majorislands (Sjaelland and Fyn)
Geographic coordinates:56 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 43,094 sq kmland: 42,394 sq kmwater: 700 sq kmnote: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the restof metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the majorislands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands andGreenland
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km
Coastline: 7,314 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Terrain:low and flat to gently rolling plains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Lammefjord -7 mhighest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, graveland sand
Land use: arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005)
Irrigated land:4,490 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts ofJutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that areprotected from the sea by a system of dikes
Environment - current issues:air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions;nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking andsurface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic andNorth Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greaterCopenhagen
People Denmark
Population:5,450,661 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18.7% (male 523,257/female 496,697)15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,815,240/female 1,787,406)65 years and over: 15.2% (male 355,656/female 472,405) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 39.8 yearsmale: 38.9 yearsfemale: 40.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.33% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:11.13 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:10.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:2.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.79 yearsmale: 75.49 yearsfemale: 80.22 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.74 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:5,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Dane(s)adjective: Danish
Ethnic groups:Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
Religions:Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%,Muslim 2%
Languages:Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (smallminority)note: English is the predominant second language
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Denmark
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmarkconventional short form: Denmarklocal long form: Kongeriget Danmarklocal short form: Danmark
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:name: Copenhagengeographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskommune); Arhus, Bornholm,Frederiksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavn(Copenhagen)*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde,Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborgnote: as a result of an extensive 2005 local government reform, with2006 being a transition year, 275 municipalities will be merged to99 by 1 January 2007, and the 14 counties will be reorganized intofive regions
Independence:first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 becamea constitutional monarchy
National holiday:none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generallyviewed as the National Day
Constitution:5 June 1849 adoption of original constitution; a major overhaul of5 June 1953 allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chiefof state
Legal system:civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); HeirApparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26May 1968)head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27November 2001)cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
Legislative branch:unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected bypopular vote on the basis of proportional representation to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 29%,Social Democrats 25.9%, Danish People's Party 13.2%, ConservativeParty 10.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.2%, Socialist People's Party 6%,Unity List 3.4%; seats by party - Liberal Party 52, Social Democrats47, Danish People's Party 24, Conservative Party 18, Social LiberalParty 17, Socialist People's Party 11, Unity List 6; note - does notinclude the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the FaroeIslands
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life)
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democrats (was Christian People's Party) [Bodil KORNBEK];Conservative Party (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party)[Bendt BENDTSEN]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; LiberalParty [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includesLeft Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers'Party) [collective leadership]; Social Democratic Party [HelleTHORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called theRadical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Soren BALD, chairman];Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN,EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NC,NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA,UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU(observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSENchancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAINembassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagenmailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23
Flag description:red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; thevertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and thatdesign element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequentlyadopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway,and Sweden
Economy Denmark
Economy - overview:This thoroughly modern market economy features high-techagriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry,extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards,a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark isa net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balanceof payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining thebureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. Thegovernment has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, theeconomic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase(a common European currency) of the European Economic and MonetaryUnion (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join 12 other EU membersin the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to theeuro. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturnaccelerated through 2005. Because of high GDP per capita, welfarebenefits, a low Gini index, and political stability, the Danishpeople enjoy living standards topped by no other nation. A majorlong-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers toretirees.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$189.3 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$243.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$34,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 24.6% services: 73.5% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.9 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3% industry: 21% services: 76% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:5.7% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 2%highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:23.2 (2002)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.8% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):20.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $144 billionexpenditures: $135 billion; including capital expenditures of $4.6billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:37% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish
Industries:iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing,machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing,electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products,shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medicalequipment
Industrial production growth rate:1.6% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:43.32 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 82.7% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 17.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:31.68 billion kWh (2003)