Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 458 kmnote: no roads between towns (2003)
Merchant marine:total: 18 ships (1000 GRT or over) 19,265 GRT/9,171 DWTby type: cargo 10, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2foreign-owned: 8 (Iceland 4, Norway 4) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Torshavn
Military Faroe Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 10,695 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 8,852 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 366 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not beenrealized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have beendeferred; Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands' fisheries median lineboundary; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim thatthe Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Fiji
Introduction Fiji
Background:Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as aBritish colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two militarycoups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived asdominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborersbrought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). Thecoups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesiancontrol of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population lossresulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesiansbecame the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was moreequitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in agovernment led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil.Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with ademocratically elected government led by Prime Minister LaiseniaQARASE.
Geography Fiji
Location:Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirdsof the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 18,270 sq kmland: 18,270 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,129 km
Maritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselinesterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;rectilinear shelf claim added
Climate:tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber83, Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
People Fiji
Population:905,949 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 31.1% (male 143,847/female 138,061)15-64 years: 64.6% (male 293,072/female 292,312)65 years and over: 4.3% (male 17,583/female 21,074) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 24.6 yearsmale: 24.1 yearsfemale: 25 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.4% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:22.55 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 10.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.82 yearsmale: 67.32 yearsfemale: 72.45 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.73 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:600 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Fijian(s)adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, andother 5% (1998 est.)
Religions:Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim8%, other 2%note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there isa Muslim minority
Languages:English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.7%male: 95.5%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Fiji
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islandsconventional short form: Fijilocal long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Vitilocal short form: Fiji/Viti
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Suva (on Viti Levu)geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 Etime difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,Western
Independence:10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and makemultiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998
Legal system:based on British system
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18July 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10September 2000)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament and is responsible to Parliamentelections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for afive-year term (eligible for a second term); prime ministerappointed by the president; election last held 8 March 2006 (next tobe held in 2011)election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected presidentby the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointedby the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 onthe advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the adviceof the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnicIndians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for thecouncil of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1September and 19 September 2001 (next to be held 6-13 May 2006)election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - SDL 27.5%, FLP 26.5%, MV 4.2%, NLUP 1.3%, NFP 1.2%,independents 1.4%, UGP .3%; seats by party - SDL 32, FLP 27, MV 6,NLUP 2, NFP 1, independents 2, UGP 1
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court ofAppeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:Conservative Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or CAMV [Ratu JosefaDIMURI]; Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; FijiDemocratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the ChristianDemocrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian AssociationParty or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian)[Sitiveni RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]);Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party orGVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party orGHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party orLFR; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [PramondRAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA];Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of theTruth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua orSDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis MickBEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU,MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jesoni VITUSAGAVULUchancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Miles DINGERembassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suvamailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suvatelephone: [679] 331-4466FAX: [679] 330-0081
Flag description:light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; theshield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by thecross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,bananas, and a white dove
Economy Fiji
Economy - overview:Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one ofthe most developed of the Pacific island economies, though stillwith a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances fromFijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources offoreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Unionmarkets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugarsubsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrialactivity but is not efficient. Long-term problems include lowinvestment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government'sability to manage its budget. Yet, because of a tourist boom,short-run economic prospects are good, provided tensions do notagain erupt between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Overseasremittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increasedsignificantly.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.255 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.81 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$5,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 137,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.6% (1999)
Population below poverty line:25.5% (1990-91)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (2005)
Budget:revenues: $720.5 millionexpenditures: $728.3 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes,bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Industries:tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, smallcottage industries
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:775.7 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:721.4 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:10,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:$-465.8 million
Exports:$719.6 million f.o.b. (2005)
Exports - commodities:sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Exports - partners:US 19.7%, Australia 17%, UK 12.3%, Japan 5.4%, Samoa 4.1% (2005)
Imports:$1.462 billion c.i.f. (2005)
Imports - commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleumproducts, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:Singapore 27.4%, Australia 23.6%, NZ 18.9%, Thailand 4.5% (2005)
Debt - external:$127 million (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$63.9 million (2004)
Currency (code):Fijian dollar (FJD)
Currency code:FJD
Exchange rates:Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958(2003), 2.1869 (2002), 2.2766 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Fiji
Telephones - main lines in use:102,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:142,200 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communicationscenterdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 679; access to important cable linksbetween US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; 2satellite earth stations - 2 INMARSAT (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:541,476 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:88,110 (1999)
Internet country code:.fj
Internet hosts:8,987 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:61,000 (2004)
Transportation Fiji
Airports: 28 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 18 (2006)
Railways:total: 597 kmnarrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gaugenote: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; usedto haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2005)
Roadways:total: 3,440 kmpaved: 1,692 kmunpaved: 1,748 km (1999)
Waterways:203 kmnote: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges(2004)
Merchant marine:total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 15,867 GRT/8,432 DWTby type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva
Military Fiji
Military branches:Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces(2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 215,104females age 18-49: 212,739 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 163,960females age 18-49: 178,714 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 9,266females age 18-49: 8,916 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$36 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.2% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Fiji
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Finland
Introduction Finland
Background:Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russiaafter 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During WorldWar II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resistinvasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory.In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkabletransformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modernindustrial economy; per capita income is now on par with WesternEurope. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the onlyNordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January1999.
Geography Finland
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, andGulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates:64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 338,145 sq kmland: 304,473 sq kmwater: 33,672 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries: total: 2,681 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km
Coastline:1,250 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundarywith Sweden
Climate:cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mildbecause of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and lowhills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 mhighest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources:timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold,silver, limestone
Land use: arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005)
Irrigated land:640 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing toacid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agriculturalchemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,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:long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost nationalcapital on European continent; population concentrated on smallsouthwestern coastal plain
People Finland
Population:5,231,372 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.1% (male 455,420/female 438,719)15-64 years: 66.7% (male 1,766,674/female 1,724,858)65 years and over: 16.2% (male 337,257/female 508,444) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 41.3 yearsmale: 39.7 yearsfemale: 42.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.14% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.45 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.5 yearsmale: 74.99 yearsfemale: 82.17 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.73 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Finn(s)adjective: Finnish
Ethnic groups:Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma 0.2%,Sami 0.1%
Religions:Lutheran National Church 84.2%, Greek Orthodox in Finland 1.1%,other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 13.5% (2003)
Languages:Finnish 92% (official), Swedish 5.6% (official), other 2.4% (smallSami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2003)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100% (2000 est.)
Government Finland
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Finlandconventional short form: Finlandlocal long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finlandlocal short form: Suomi/Finland
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Helsinkigeographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 58 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 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani,Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani
Independence:6 December 1917 (from Russia)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution:1 March 2000
Legal system:civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may requestthe Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Eero HEINALUOMA (since 24 September2005)cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by thepresident, responsible to parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006(next to be held January 2012); the president appoints the primeminister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or themajority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliamentmust approve the appointmentelection results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, SauliNIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti Vanhanen (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA(VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held29 January 2006 - HOLONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%note: government coalition - Kesk, SDP, and SFP
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are electedby popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%,Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party -Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, other 4
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD[Paivi RASANEN]; Green League or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; LeftAlliance or VAS composed of People's Democratic League andDemocratic Alternative [Martti KORHONEN]; National Coalition(conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social DemocraticParty or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP[Stefan WALLIN]
International organization participation:AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN,EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, 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, NAM (guest), NC, NEA,NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS,UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTUchancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Marilyn WAREembassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinkimailing address: APO AE 09723telephone: [358] (9) 616250FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800
Flag description:white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; thevertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the styleof the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Finland
Economy - overview:Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economywith per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, andItaly. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally thewood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronicsindustries. Trade is important; exports equal two-fifths of GDP.Finland excels in high-tech exports, e.g., mobile phones. Except fortimber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of rawmaterials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods.Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited tomaintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, animportant export earner, provides a secondary occupation for therural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe- Finland was one of the 12 countries joining the European Economicand Monetary Union (EMU) - will dominate the economic picture overthe next several years. High unemployment remains a persistentproblem.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$161.9 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$184.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$31,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 29.5% services: 67.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.61 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 8%, industry 22%, construction 6%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, transport and communications 8%, public services 32%
Unemployment rate:8.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:26.9 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.9% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $99.61 billionexpenditures: $97.14 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:39.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish
Industries:metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientificinstruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals,textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:-2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:79.61 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% nuclear: 30.4% other: 11.8% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:78.94 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:7 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:11.9 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:9,013 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:219,700 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:101,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:318,300 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:5.028 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$5.043 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$67.88 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp(1999)
Exports - partners:Russia 11.2%, Sweden 10.7%, Germany 10.5%, UK 6.6%, US 6.2%,Netherlands 4.8% (2005)
Imports:$56.45 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transportequipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics,grains
Imports - partners:Germany 16.2%, Sweden 14.1%, Russia 13.9%, Netherlands 6.2%,Denmark 4.6%, UK 4.3%, China 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$11.4 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$211.7 billion (30 June 2005)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $379 million (2001)
Currency (code):euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced theeuro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions ofmember countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the solecurrency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003),1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Finland
Telephones - main lines in use:2.12 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:5.231 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system with excellent servicedomestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensivecellular network provide domestic needsinternational: country code - 358; 1 submarine cable (FinlandEstonia Connection); satellite earth stations - access to Intelsattransmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland sharesthe Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark,Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:7.7 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:3.2 million (1997)
Internet country code:.fi; note - the IANA has assigned the ccTLD of .ax to the AlandIslands
Internet hosts:1,633,614 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2002)
Internet users:3.286 million (2005)
Transportation Finland
Airports: 148 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 76 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 14 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 67 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 694 km (2006)
Railways: total: 5,741 km broad gauge: 5,741 km 1.524-m gauge (2,619 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 78,189 kmpaved: 50,633 km (including 653 km of expressways)unpaved: 27,556 km (2006)
Waterways:7,842 kmnote: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leasedfrom Russia (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 87 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,250,600 GRT/952,072 DWTby type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 22, chemical tanker 6, container 1,passenger 5, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/rolloff 25foreign-owned: 3 (Norway 1, Russia 1, UK 1)registered in other countries: 48 (Bahamas 8, Germany 2, Gibraltar3, Luxembourg 4, Marshall Islands 2, Netherlands 13, Norway 4,Sweden 11, UK 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Hamina, Hanko, Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Porvoo, Raahe,Rauma, Turku
Military Finland
Military branches:Finnish Defense Forces: Army, Navy (includes coastal defenseforces), Air Force (2003)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service(October 2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,121,275females age 18-49: 1,076,684 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 913,617females age 18-49: 875,689 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 32,040females age 18-49: 30,519 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.8 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues Finland
Disputes - international:various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and otherareas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government assertsno territorial demands
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@France
Introduction France
Background:Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, Francesuffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rankas a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of themost modern countries in the world and is a leader among Europeannations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracyresistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentarydemocracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperationwith Germany have proved central to the economic integration ofEurope, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront ofefforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplementprogress toward an EU foreign policy.
Geography France
Location:Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel,between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Geographic coordinates:46 00 N, 2 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 547,030 sq kmland: 545,630 sq kmwater: 1,400 sq kmnote: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseasadministrative divisions
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:total: 2,889 kmborder countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,Switzerland 573 km
Coastline:3,427 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hotsummers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry,north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
Terrain:mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 mhighest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources:coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash,feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish
Land use: arable land: 33.46% permanent crops: 2.03% other: 64.51% (2005)
Irrigated land:26,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest firesin south near the Mediterranean
Environment - current issues:some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrialand vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes,agricultural runoff
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:largest West European nation
People France
Population:60,876,136 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18.3% (male 5,704,152/female 5,427,213)15-64 years: 65.3% (male 19,886,228/female 19,860,506)65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,103,883/female 5,894,154) (2006est.)
Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 37.6 years female: 40.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.35% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:11.99 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.14 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.71 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.73 yearsmale: 76.1 yearsfemale: 83.54 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.84 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:120,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 1,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)adjective: French
Ethnic groups:Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese,Basque minorities
Religions:Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%,unaffiliated 4%
Languages:French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages(Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government France
Country name:conventional long form: French Republicconventional short form: Francelocal long form: Republique francaiselocal short form: France
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Parisgeographic coordinates: 48 52 N, 2 20 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:22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine,Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre,Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie,Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine,Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie,Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpesnote: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the"territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdividedinto 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseasdepartments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and theoverseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre, Miquelon)
Dependent areas:Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, FrenchPolynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands,Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis andFutunanote: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:486 (unified by Clovis)
National holiday:Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although oftenincorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actuallycommemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of thestorming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment ofa constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are FeteNationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)
Constitution:adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958;amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to complywith provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty,2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993;amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to afive-year term
Legal system:civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrativebut not legislative acts
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)head of government: Prime Minister Dominique DE VILLEPIN (since 31May 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on thesuggestion of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007,second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the NationalAssembly majority and appointed by the presidentelection results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent ofvote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN(FN) 18.04%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat(321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseasdepartments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad;members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to servenine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years); note -between 2004 and 2010, 25 new seats will be added to the Senate fora total of 346 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseasdepartments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierreand Miquelon, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for Frenchnationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectlyelected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms, withone-half the seats being renewed every three years; and the NationalAssembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected bypopular vote under a single-member majority system to servefive-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be heldSeptember 2008); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (nextto be held not later than June 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; NationalAssembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 355,PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Left Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointedby the president from nominations of the High Council of theJudiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (threemembers appointed by the president, three appointed by the presidentof the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president ofthe Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat
Political parties and leaders:Citizen and Republican Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT];Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly RadicalRepublican and Socialist Parties, and PRG) [Jacques PELLETIER];French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [YanWEHRLING, national secretary]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previouslyRadical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG)[Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DEVILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Rally forFrance or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Socialist Party or PS [FrancoisHOLLANDE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Francois BAYROU];Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Nicolas SARKOZY]
Political pressure groups and leaders: historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed); left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed); independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members (claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed)
International organization participation:ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, Arctic Council (observer), AsDB, AustraliaGroup, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC,EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU,MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI(observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA,UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTEchancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, LosAngeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Craig R. STAPLETONembassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red;known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin ofthe flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/orcolors are similar to a number of other flags, including those ofBelgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands;the official flag for all French dependent areas
Economy France
Economy - overview:France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do moderneconomy that has featured extensive government ownership andintervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. Thegovernment has partially or fully privatized many large companies,banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in severalleading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, andThales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, publictransport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector isgradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remaincommitted to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity bymeans of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce incomedisparity and the impact of free markets on public health andwelfare. The government has lowered income taxes and introducedmeasures to boost employment and reform the pension system. Inaddition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of laborand labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweekand restrictions on lay-offs. The tax burden remains one of thehighest in Europe (nearly 50% of GDP in 2005). The lingeringeconomic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the budgetdeficit above the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit; unemployment stands at10%.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1.794 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.055 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$29,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 21.4% services: 76.4% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 27.72 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.1% industry: 24.4% services: 71.5% (1999)
Unemployment rate:9.9% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:6.5% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:32.7 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.06 trillionexpenditures: $1.144 trillion; including capital expenditures of $23billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:66.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairyproducts; fish
Industries:machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft,electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:0.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:536.9 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.2% hydro: 14% nuclear: 77.1% other: 0.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:433.3 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:72.2 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:6.2 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:76,300 bbl/day (2003 est.)