The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and officially began operating on 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October 1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names; the Department of the Interior produced the gazetteers; and CIA produced the maps.
The Hoover Commission's Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in 1955 that: "The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable publication which provides the essential elements of basic intelligence on all areas of the world. There will always be a continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date." The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated in 1973 except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The Factbook was first made available on the Internet in June 1997. The year 2006 marks the 59th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 63nd year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs.
This page was last updated on 28 November, 2006
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Contributors and Copyright Information
The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. Information is provided by Antarctic Information Program (National Science Foundation), Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (Department of Defense), Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Department of Energy, Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Department of Defense), Office of Insular Affairs (Department of the Interior), Office of Naval Intelligence (Department of Defense), US Board on Geographic Names (Department of the Interior), US Transportation Command (Department of Defense), Oil & Gas Journal, and other public and private sources.
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Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to:
Central Intelligence AgencyAttn.: Office of Public AffairsWashington, DC 20505Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Eastern Standard TimeTelephone: [1] (703) 482-0623FAX: [1] (703) 482-1739
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Purchasing Information
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This page was last updated on 23 March, 2006
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The World Factbook staff thanks you for your comments, suggestions, updates, kudos, and corrections over the past years. The willingness of readers from around the world to share their observations and specialized knowledge is very helpful as we try to produce the best possible publications. Please feel free to continue to write and e-mail e-mail us. When submitting corrections or updates to the Factbook, please include your source(s) of information. At least two Factbook staffers review every submitted item. The sheer volume of correspondence precludes detailed personal replies, but we sincerely appreciate your time and interest in the Factbook. If you include your e-mail address we will at least acknowledge your note. Thank you again.
Answers to many frequently asked questions (FAQs) are explained in the Notes and Definitions section in The World Factbook. Please review this section to see if your question is already answered there. In addition, we have compiled the following list of FAQs to answer other common questions. Select from the following categories to narrow your search:
GeneralGeographySpelling and PronunciationPolicies and ProceduresTechnical
General
Can you provide additional information for a specific country?
The staff cannot provide data beyond what appears in The World Factbook. The format and information in the Factbook are tailored to the specific requirements of US Government officials and content is focused on their current and anticipated needs. The staff welcomes suggestions for new entries.
How often is The World Factbook updated?
Formerly our Web site (and the published Factbook) were only updated annually. Beginning in November 2001 we instituted a new system of more frequent online updates. The World Factbook is currently updated every two weeks.
The annual printed version of the Factbook is usually released about midyear. US Government officials may obtain information about Factbook availability from their own organizations or through liaison channels to the CIA. Other users may obtain sales information through the following channels:
Superintendent of DocumentsP. O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800FAX: [1] (202) 512-2250http://bookstore.gpo.gov
National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov
Can I use some or all of The World Factbook for my Web site (book, research project, homework, etc.)?
The World Factbook is in the public domain and may be used freely by anyone at anytime without seeking permission. However, US Code prohibits use of the CIA seal in a manner which implies that the CIA approved, endorsed, or authorized such use. If you have any questions about your intended use, you should consult with legal counsel. Further information on The World Factbook's use is described on the Contributors and Copyright Information page. As a courtesy, please cite The World Factbook when used.
Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states, departments, provinces, etc., in the country format?
The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies, but not subnational administrative units within a country. A good encyclopedia should provide state/province-level information.
Is it possible to access older editions of The World Factbook to do comparative research and trend analysis?
Only the current version is available for browsing on the CIA Web site. In the future, the staff hopes to post electronic versions of The World Factbook as far back as 1986. Hardcopy editions for earlier years are available from libraries.
Would it be possible to set up a partnership or collaboration between the producers of The World Factbook and other organizations or individuals?
The World Factbook does not partner with other organizations or individuals, but we do welcome comments and suggestions that such groups or persons choose to provide.
Geography
I can't find a geographic name for a particular country. Why not?
The World Factbook is not a gazetteer (a dictionary or index of places, usually with descriptive or statistical information) and cannot provide more than the names of the administrative divisions (in the Government category) and major cities/towns (on the country maps). Our expanded Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names, however, includes many of the world's major geographic features as well as historic (former) names of countries and cities mentioned in The World Factbook.
Why are Taiwan and the European Union listed out of alphabetical order at the end of the Factbook entries?
Taiwan is listed after the regular entries because even though the mainland People's Republic of China claims Taiwan, elected Taiwanese authorities de facto administer the island and reject mainland sovereignty claims. With the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1979, the US Government recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China.
The European Union (EU) is not a country, but it has taken on many nation-like attributes and these are likely to be expanded in the future. A more complete explanation on the inclusion of the EU into the Factbook may be found in the Preliminary statement.
Since we have an ambassador who represents the US at the Vatican, why is this entity not listed in the Factbook?
Vatican City is found under Holy See. The term "Holy See" refers to the authority, jurisdiction, and sovereignty vested in the Pope and his advisors to direct the worldwide Catholic Church. The Holy See has a legal personality that allows it to enter into treaties as the juridical equal of a state and to send and receive diplomatic representatives. Vatican City, created in 1929 to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome, is recognized under international law as a sovereign state, but it does not send or receive diplomatic representatives. Consequently, Holy See is included as a Factbook entry, with Vatican City cross-referenced in the Geographic Names appendix.
Why is Palestine not listed in The World Factbook?
The areas that could potentially form a future Palestinian state — the West Bank and Gaza Strip — do appear in the Factbook. These areas are presently Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian 1995 Interim Agreement; their permanent status is to be determined through further negotiation.
Why are the Golan Heights not shown as part of Israel or NorthernCyprus with Turkey?
Territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the UnitedStates Government are not shown on US Government maps.
Why don't you include information on entities such as Tibet,Kashmir, or Kosovo?
The World Factbook provides information on the administrative divisions of a country as recommended by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is a component of the US Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names—domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features.
Also included in the Factbook are entries on parts of the world whose status has not yet been resolved (e.g., West Bank, Spratly Islands). Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries are not covered.
What do you mean when you say that a country is "doubly landlocked"?
A doubly landlocked country is one that is separated from an ocean or an ocean-accessible sea by two intervening countries. Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein are the only countries that fit this definition.
Spelling and Pronunciation
Why is the spelling of proper names such as rulers, presidents, and prime ministers in The World Factbook different than their spelling in my country?
The Factbook staff applies the names and spellings from the Chiefs of State link on the CIA Web site. The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Surnames are always spelled with capital letters; they may appear first in some cultures.
The spelling of geographic names, features, cities, administrative divisions, etc. in the Factbook differs from those used in my country. Why is this?
The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) recommends and approves names and spellings. The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names—domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to use uniform names of geographic features. (A note is usually included where changes may have occurred but have not yet been approved by the BGN). The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings.
Why doesn't The World Factbook include pronunciations of country or leader names?
There are too many variations in pronunciation among English-speaking countries, not to mention English renditions of non-English names, for pronunciations to be included. American English pronunciations are included for some countries like Qatar and Kiribati.
Why is the name of the Labour party misspelled?
When American and British spellings of common English words differ, The World Factbook always uses the American spelling, even when these common words form part of a proper name in British English.
Policies and Procedures
What is The World Factbook's source for a specific subject field?
The Factbook staff uses many different sources to publish what we judge are the most reliable and consistent data for any particular category. Space considerations preclude a listing of these various sources.
The names of some geographic features provided in the Factbook differ from those used in other publications. For example, in Asia the Factbook has Burma as the country name, but in other publications Myanmar is used; also, the Factbook uses Sea of Japan whereas other publications label it East Sea. What is your policy on naming geographic features?
The Factbook staff follows the guidance of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names—domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. The position of the BGN is that the names Burma and Sea of Japan be used in official US Government maps and publications.
Why is most of the statistical information in the Factbook given in metric units, rather than the units standard to US measure?
US Federal agencies are required by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) and by Executive Order 12770 of July 1991 to use the International System of Units, commonly referred to as the metric system or SI. In addition, the metric system is used by over 95 percent of the world's population.
Why don't you include information on minimum and maximum temperature extremes?
The Factbook staff judges that this information would only be useful for some (generally smaller) countries. Larger countries can have large temperature extremes that do not represent the landmass as a whole. In the future, such a category may be adopted listing the extremes, but also adding a normal temperature range found throughout most of a country's territory.
What information sources are used for the country flags?
Flag designs used in The World Factbook are those recognized by the protocol office of the US Department of State.
Why do your GDP (Gross Domestic Product) statistics differ from other sources?
We have two sets of GDP dollar estimates in The World Factbook , one derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations and the other derived using official exchange rates (OER). Other sources probably use one of the two. See the Notes and Definitions section on GDP and GDP methodology for more information.
On the CIA Web site, Chiefs of State is updated weekly, but the last update for the Factbook was an earlier date. Why the discrepancy?
Although Chiefs of State and The World Factbook both appear on the CIA Web site, they are produced and updated by separate staffs. Chiefs of State includes fewer countries but more leaders, and is updated more frequently than The World Factbook, which has a much larger database, and includes all countries.
Some percentage distributions do not add to 100. Why not?
Because of rounding, percentage distributions do not always add precisely to 100%. Rounding of numbers always results in a loss of precision—i.e., error. This error becomes apparent when percentage data are totaled, as the following two examples show:
Original Data Rounded to whole integer
Example 1 43.2 4330.4 3026.4 26—— —100.0 99
Example 2 42.8 4331.6 3225.6 26—— —100.0 101
When this occurs, we do not force the numbers to add exactly to 100, because doing so would introduce additional error into the distribution.
What rounding convention does The World Factbook use?
In deciding on the number of digits to present, the Factbook staff assesses the accuracy of the original data and the needs of US Government officials. All of the economic data are processed by computer—either at the source or by the Factbook staff. The economic data presented in The Factbook, therefore, follow the rounding convention used by virtually all numerical software applications, namely, any digit followed by a "5" is rounded up to the next higher digit, no matter whether the original digit is even or odd. Thus, for example, when rounded to the nearest integer, 2.5 becomes 3, rather than 2, as occurred in some pre-computer rounding systems.
Why do you list "Independence" dates for countries like France,Germany, and the United Kingdom?
For most countries, this entry presents the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For other countries, the date may be some other significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession and so may not strictly be an "Independence" date. Dependent entities have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry.
Technical
Does The World Factbook comply with Section 508 of theRehabilitation Act regarding accessibility of Web pages?
The World Factbook home page has a link entitled "Text/Low Bandwidth Version." The country data in the text version is fully accessible. We believe The World Factbook is compliant with the Section 508 law in both fact and spirit. If you are experiencing difficulty, please use our comment form to provide us details of the specific problem you are experiencing and the assistive software and/or hardware that you are using so that we can work with our technical support staff to find and implement a solution. We welcome visitors' suggestions to improve accessibility of The World Factbook and the CIA Web site.
I am using the Factbook online and it is not working. What is wrong?
Hundreds of "Factbook" look-alikes exist on the Internet. TheFactbook site at: www.cia.gov is the only official site.
When I attempt to download a PDF (Portable Document Format) map file (or some other map) the file has no image. Can you fix this?
Some of the files on The World Factbook Web site are large and could take several minutes to download on a dial-up connection. The screen might be blank during the download process.
When I open a map on The World Factbook site, it is fuzzy or granular, or too big or too small. Why?
Adjusting the resolution setting on your monitor should correct this problem.
Is The World Factbook country data available in machine-readable format? All I can find is HTML, but I'm looking for simple tabular data.
The Factbook Web site now features "Rank Order" pages for selected Factbook entries. "Rank Order" pages are available for those data fields identified with a small bar chart icon located next to the title of the data entry. In addition, all of the "Rank Order" pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files that can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases.
This page was last updated on 23 August, 2006
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@Afghanistan
Introduction Afghanistan
Background:Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and foundedAfghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between theBritish and Russian empires until it won independence from notionalBritish control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Unioninvaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime,but withdrew 10 years later under relentless pressure byinternationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A civilwar between mujahedin factions erupted following the 1992 fall ofthe Communist regime. The Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsoredmovement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war andanarchy, seized Kabul in 1996 and most of the country outside ofopposition Northern Alliance strongholds by 1998. Following the 11September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and NorthernAlliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering OsamaBIN LADIN. In late 2001, a conference in Bonn, Germany, establisheda process for political reconstruction that included the adoption ofa new constitution and a presidential election in 2004, and NationalAssembly elections in 2005. On 7 December 2004, Hamid KARZAI becamethe first democratically elected president of Afghanistan. TheNational Assembly was inaugurated on 19 December 2005.
Geography Afghanistan
Location:Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Geographic coordinates:33 00 N, 65 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 647,500 sq kmland: 647,500 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,529 kmborder countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain:mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Amu Darya 258 mhighest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Natural resources:natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites,sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.66% (2005)
Irrigated land:27,200 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding;droughts
Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies ofpotable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much ofthe remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and buildingmaterials); desertification; air and water pollution
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumpingsigned, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineLife Conservation
Geography - note:landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast tosouthwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of thecountry; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (WakhanCorridor)
People Afghanistan
Population:31,056,997 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.6% (male 7,095,117/female 6,763,759)15-64 years: 53% (male 8,436,716/female 8,008,463)65 years and over: 2.4% (male 366,642/female 386,300) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 17.6 yearsmale: 17.6 yearsfemale: 17.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.67% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:46.6 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:20.34 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.42 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: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 160.23 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 164.77 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 155.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 43.34 yearsmale: 43.16 yearsfemale: 43.53 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.69 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.01% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk countrywide below 2,000 meters from March through November animal contact disease: rabies (2005)
Nationality:noun: Afghan(s)adjective: Afghan
Ethnic groups:Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%,Baloch 2%, other 4%
Religions:Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%
Languages:Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official) 35%,Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minorlanguages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 36%male: 51%female: 21% (1999 est.)
People - note:of the estimated 4 million refugees in October 2001, 2.3 millionhave returned
Government Afghanistan
Country name:conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistanconventional short form: Afghanistanlocal long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestanlocal short form: Afghanestanformer: Republic of Afghanistan
Government type:Islamic republic
Capital:name: Kabulgeographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 12 Etime difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis,Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykondi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr,Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar,Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan,Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar,Vardak, Zabol
Independence:19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
National holiday:Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Constitution:new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16January 2004
Legal system:according to the new constitution, no law should be "contrary toIslam"; the state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressivesociety based on social justice, protection of human dignity,protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and to ensurenational unity and equality among all ethnic groups and tribes; thestate shall abide by the UN charter, international treaties,international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of AfghanistanHamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); Vice Presidents Ahmad ZiaMASOOD and Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of government; formerKing ZAHIR Shah holds the honorific, "Father of the Country," andpresides symbolically over certain occasions, but lacks anygoverning authority; the honorific is not hereditaryhead of government: President of the Islamic Republic of AfghanistanHamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); Vice Presidents Ahmad ZiaMASOOD and Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - thepresident is both chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: 27 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministersare appointed by the president and approved by the National Assemblyelections: the president and two vice presidents are elected bydirect vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if nocandidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round ofvoting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in asecond round; a president can only be elected for two terms;election last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held in 2009)election results: Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote -Hamid KARZAI 55.4%, Yunus QANOONI 16.3%, Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM 1.4%, MasoodaJALAL 1.2%
Legislative branch:the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga orHouse of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected forfive-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-yearterms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-yearterms - provincial councils elected temporary members to fill theseseats until district councils are formed, and one-third presidentialappointees for five-year terms; the presidential appointees willinclude 2 representatives of Kuchis and 2 representatives of thedisabled; half of the presidential appointees will be women)note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga(Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, andterritorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of theconstitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of membersof the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial anddistrict councilselections: last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held for theWolesi Jirga by September 2009; next to be held for the provincialcouncils to the Meshrano Jirga by September 2008)election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) systemused in the election did not make use of political party slates;most candidates ran as independents
Judicial branch:the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or SupremeCourt (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by thepresident with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate HighCourts and Appeals Courts (note - nine supreme court justices wereappointed in the interim in January 2005 pending National Assemblyselection of the constitutionally mandated justices); there is alsoa minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human RightsCommission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged withinvestigating human rights abuses and war crimes
Political parties and leaders:note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry ofJustice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; De Afghanistan De SolayGhorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Mili IslamiGond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-Islami Afghanistan[Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE]; Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan[Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [AbdulMALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad KabeerMARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid [Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE];Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond; Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili Afghanistan[Latif PEDRAM]; Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [MohammadZAREEF]; Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [MohammadJamil KARZAI]; Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul KhaleqNEMAT]; Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad NadirAATASH]; Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj SaidHssain ANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar WaInkishaf-e-Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATEE];Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. Farooq NIJZRABEE];Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR]; Hezb-e-Kar WaTawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID]; Hezb-e-Libral-e-AazadeeKhwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL]; Hezb-e-Mili Afghanistan[Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Aqwam-e-IslamiAfghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE]; Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-MiliAfghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD]; Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan[Said Mansoor NADIRI]; Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-IslamiMardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR];Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ];Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad UsmanSALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [AbdulQahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [AbdulQadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [AhamadSHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad KarimKHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [UstadMohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul RasheedJALILI]; Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan[Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul RashidDOSTAM]; Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE];Majmah-e-Mili Fahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq NoorSHAMS]; Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Abdul RaqeebJawid KUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer SaidIshaq GAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad JawadHUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep2004)
Political pressure groups and leaders:Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam) [former President BurhanuddinRABBANI]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic Union for the Liberation ofAfghanistan) [Abdul Rasul SAYYAF]; there are also small monarchist,communist, and democratic groups
International organization participation:AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SACEP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWADchancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] 202-483-6410FAX: [1] 202-483-6488consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANNembassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabulmailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180telephone: [00 93] (20) 230-0436FAX: [00 93] (20) 230-1364
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with agold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features atemple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and rightand by a bold Islamic inscription above
Economy Afghanistan
Economy - overview:Afghanistan's economic outlook has improved significantly since thefall of the Taliban regime in 2001 because of the infusion of over$8 billion in international assistance, recovery of the agriculturalsector and growth of the service sector, and the reestablishment ofmarket institutions. Real GDP growth is estimated to have slowed inthe last fiscal year primarily because adverse weather conditionscut agricultural production, but is expected to rebound over 2005-06because of foreign donor reconstruction and service sector growth.Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan remainsextremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid,farming, and trade with neighboring countries. It will probably takethe remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attentionto significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from itscurrent status, among the lowest in the world. Much of thepopulation continues to suffer from shortages of housing, cleanwater, electricity, medical care, and jobs, but the Afghangovernment and international donors remain committed to improvingaccess to these basic necessities by prioritizing infrastructuredevelopment, education, housing development, jobs programs, andeconomic reform over the next year. Growing political stability andcontinued international commitment to Afghan reconstruction createan optimistic outlook for continuing improvements in the Afghaneconomy in 2006. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opiumtrade may account for one-third of GDP and looms as one of Kabul'smost serious policy challenges. Other long-term challenges include:boosting the supply of skilled labor, reducing vulnerability tosevere natural disasters, expanding health services, and rebuildinga war torn infrastructure.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$21.5 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$7.095 billion
GDP - real growth rate:14% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38% industry: 24% services: 38% note: data exclude opium production (2005 est.)
Labor force: 15 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 10% services: 10% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:40% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:53% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):16.3% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $269 millionexpenditures: $561 million; including capital expenditures of $41.7millionnote: Afghanistan has also received $273 million from theReconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and OrderTrust Fund (FY04-05 budget est.)
Agriculture - products:opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins
Industries:small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes,fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:905 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.042 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:200 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - consumption:5,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:50 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:50 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:99.96 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Exports:$471 million; note - not including illicit exports or reexports(2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides andpelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Exports - partners:US 25.3%, Pakistan 20.9%, India 20.8%, Finland 4% (2005)
Imports:$3.87 billion (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products
Imports - partners:Pakistan 23.9%, US 11.8%, Germany 6.8%, India 6.5%, Turkey 5.1%,Turkmenistan 5%, Russia 4.7%, Kenya 4.4% (2005)
Debt - external:$8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has$500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:international pledges made by more than 60 countries andinternational financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conferencefor Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for2004-09
Currency (code):afghani (AFA)
Currency code:AFA
Exchange rates:afghanis per US dollar - 541 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003), 41(2002), 66 (2001)note: in 2002, the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilizedat about 50 afghanis to the dollar; before 2002, the market ratevaried widely from the official rate
Fiscal year:21 March - 20 March
Communications Afghanistan
Telephones - main lines in use:100,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.2 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph servicedomestic: telephone service is improving with the licensing of fourwireless telephone service providers by 2005; approximately 4 in 100Afghans own a wireless telephone; telephone main lines remainlimited.international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul,Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide internationaland domestic voice and data connectivity
Radio broadcast stations:AM 21, FM 23, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian(Dari), Urdu, and English) (2003)
Radios:167,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations: at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 34 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e-Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)
Televisions:100,000 (1999)
Internet country code:.af
Internet hosts:22 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:30,000 (2005)
Communications - note:in March 2003, 'af' was established as Afghanistan's domain name;Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public"telekiosks" in Kabul (2002)
Transportation Afghanistan
Airports: 46 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 35over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 16914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 9 (2006)
Heliports:9 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 466 km (2006)
Roadways:total: 34,789 kmpaved: 8,231 kmunpaved: 26,558 km (2003)
Waterways:1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT)(2005)
Ports and terminals:Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Military Afghanistan
Military branches:Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-yearterm (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 22-49: 4,952,812females age 22-49: 4,663,963 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 22-49: 2,662,946females age 22-49: 2,508,574 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 275,362females age 22-49: 259,935 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$122.4 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.7% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Afghanistan
Disputes - international:most Afghan refugees in Pakistan have been repatriated, butthousands still remain in Iran, many at their own choosing;Coalition and Pakistani forces continue to patrol remote tribalareas to control the borders and stem organized terrorist and otherillegal cross-border activities; regular meetings between Pakistaniand Coalition allies aim to resolve periodic claims of boundaryencroachments; regional conflicts over water-sharing arrangementswith Amu Darya and Helmand River states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 200,000-300,000 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced insouth and west due to drought and instability) (2005)
Illicit drugs:world's largest producer of opium; cultivation dropped 48% to107,400 hectares in 2005; better weather and lack of widespreaddisease returned opium yields to normal levels, meaning potentialopium production declined by only 10% to 4,475 metric tons; if theentire poppy crop were processed, it is estimated that 526 metrictons of heroin could be processed; source of hashish; manynarcotics-processing labs throughout the country; drug trade sourceof instability and some antigovernment groups profit from the trade;80-90% of the heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium;vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through informal financialnetworks
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Akrotiri
Introduction Akrotiri
Background:By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created theindependent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty andjurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers -Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is theAkrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as theWestern Sovereign Base Area.
Geography Akrotiri
Location:peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Geographic coordinates:34 37 N, 32 58 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 123 sq kmnote: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area - comparative:about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km
Coastline:56.3 km
Climate:temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerheadand green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is onthe base
Geography - note:British extraterritorial rights also extended to several smalloff-post sites scattered across Cyprus
People Akrotiri
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: approximately 1,300 military personnel are on the base; thereare another 5,000 British citizens who are families of militarypersonnel or civilian staff on both Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cypruscitizens work on the base, but do not live there
Languages:English, Greek
Government Akrotiri
Country name:conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Areaconventional short form: Akrotiri
Dependency status:overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator who isalso the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital:name: Episkopi Cantonment; also serves as capital of Dhekeliageographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 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
Constitution:Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council1960, effective 16 August 1960
Legal system:the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)head of government: Administrator Air Vice-Marshal Richard LACEY(since 26 April 2006); note - reports to the British Ministry ofDefenceelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator isappointed by the monarch
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:the flag of the UK is used
Economy Akrotiri
Economy - overview:Economic activity is limited to providing services to the militaryand their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufacturedgoods must be imported.
Communications Akrotiri
Radio broadcast stations:FM 1note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia (2006)
Television broadcast stations:British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channelsatellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia (2006)
Military Akrotiri
Military - note:Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces onCyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Albania
Introduction Albania
Background:Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobicCommunist rule and established a multiparty democracy. Thetransition has proven challenging as successive governments havetried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, adilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crimenetworks, and combative political opponents. Albania has madeprogress in its democratic development since first holdingmultiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Internationalobservers judged elections to be largely free and fair since therestoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramidschemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Partyand its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crimeand corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the sizeof government. The election, and particularly the orderly transitionof power, was considered an important step forward. AlthoughAlbania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of thepoorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and aninadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania hasplayed a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions insoutheastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATOand the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been astrong supporter of the global war on terrorism.
Geography Albania
Location:Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea,between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Geographic coordinates:41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 28,748 sq kmland: 27,398 sq kmwater: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:total: 720 kmborder countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172km, Serbia 115 km
Coastline:362 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers;interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain:mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore,nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 20.1% permanent crops: 4.21% other: 75.69% (2005)
Irrigated land:3,530 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast;floods; drought
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial anddomestic effluents
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea toIonian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
People Albania
Population:3,581,655 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24.8% (male 464,954/female 423,003)15-64 years: 66.3% (male 1,214,942/female 1,158,562)65 years and over: 8.9% (male 148,028/female 172,166) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 28.9 yearsmale: 28.3 yearsfemale: 29.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.52% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:15.11 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-4.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.1 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 21.2 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 20.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.43 yearsmale: 74.78 yearsfemale: 80.34 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.03 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Albanian(s)adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups:Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb,Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions:Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%note: percentages are estimates; there are no available currentstatistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches wereclosed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages:Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach,Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy:definition: age 9 and over can read and writetotal population: 86.5%male: 93.3%female: 79.5% (2003 est.)
Government Albania
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Albaniaconventional short form: Albanialocal long form: Republika e Shqiperiselocal short form: Shqiperiaformer: People's Socialist Republic of Albania