Exports - partners:Saint Lucia 12.1%, US 11.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.2%, Germany7.9%, Netherlands 7.8%, Saint Kitts & Nevis 7.4%, Dominica 7.4%, UK6.8%, France 4.2% (2005)
Imports:$276 million (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel
Imports - partners:Trinidad and Tobago 27.8%, US 27%, UK 6% (2005)
Debt - external:$347 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$15.4 million (2004)
Currency (code):East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Grenada
Telephones - main lines in use:32,700 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:43,300 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone systemdomestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone linksinternational: country code - 1-473; new SHF radiotelephone links toTrinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links toTrinidad
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:57,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1997)
Televisions:33,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.gd
Internet hosts:17 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):14 (2000)
Internet users:19,000 (2005)
Transportation Grenada
Airports:3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 1,127 kmpaved: 687 kmunpaved: 440 km (1999)
Ports and terminals:Saint George's
Military Grenada
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 24,031 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 17,483 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 1,274 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Grenada
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point formarijuana and cocaine to US
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Guadeloupe
Introduction Guadeloupe
Background:Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island ofSaint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion isnamed Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles and itsnorthern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe
Geography Guadeloupe
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:16 15 N, 61 35 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 1,780 sq kmland: 1,706 sq kmwater: 74 sq kmnote: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands,including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade,Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, andSaint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin)
Area - comparative:10 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 15 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km
Coastline: 306 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity
Terrain:Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains;Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven otherislands are volcanic in origin
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,484 m
Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 11.7% permanent crops: 2.92% other: 85.38% (2005)
Irrigated land:60 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an activevolcano
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper intotwo islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller,eastern Grande-Terre
People Guadeloupe
Population:452,776 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23.6% (male 54,725/female 52,348)15-64 years: 67.1% (male 150,934/female 153,094)65 years and over: 9.2% (male 17,353/female 24,322) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 32.2 yearsmale: 31.3 yearsfemale: 33.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.88% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:15.05 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.09 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.15 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.06 yearsmale: 74.91 yearsfemale: 81.37 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.9 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: Guadeloupian(s)adjective: Guadeloupe
Ethnic groups:black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese lessthan 5%
Religions:Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1%
Languages:French (official) 99%, Creole patois
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 90%male: 90%female: 90% (1982 est.)
Government Guadeloupe
Country name:conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupeconventional short form: Guadeloupelocal long form: Departement de la Guadeloupelocal short form: Guadeloupe
Dependency status:overseas department of France
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Basse-Terregeographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 61 44 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (overseas department of France)
Independence:none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:French legal system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Jacques BROT (since 12 June 2006)head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT(since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council VictorinLUREL (since 2 April 2004)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councilselection results: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and theunicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)elections: General Council - last held March 2004 (next to be heldby in 2010); Regional Council - last held 28 March 2004 (next to beheld in March 2008 to elect half of the body)election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - left-wing candidates 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6,right-wing candidates 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council (secondround) - percent of vote by party - PS 58.4%, UMP 41.6%; seats byparty - PS 29, UMP 12note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate;elections last held September 2004 (next to be held September 2013);percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, Guadeloupeelects four representatives to the French National Assembly;elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held June 2007);percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1,different right parties 1
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe,French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders:Communist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Mona CADOCE]; FGPS [DominiqueLARIFLA]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Flavien FERRANT]; ProgressiveDemocratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Socialist Party or PS[Jules OTTO]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Claudine LACAVE];Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including Rassemblement pour laRepublique or RPR) [Gabrielle LOUIS-CARABIN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG;General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union ofGuadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent Guadeloupe orMPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement
International organization participation:UPU, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas department of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas department of France)
Flag description:unofficial, local flag based upon the arms of the city ofPointe-a-Pitre; the field is divided horizontally with a narrow,blue stripe along the top edge charged with three goldfleurs-de-lis; the wider, lower portion of the field is black andcharged with green sugar cane leaves - representing one ofGuadeloupe's main crops - surmounted by a gold radiant sunrepresenting the tropical climate; the only official flag is thenational flag of France
Economy Guadeloupe
Economy - overview:This Caribbean economy depends on agriculture, tourism, lightindustry, and services. It also depends on France for largesubsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most touristsfrom the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit theislands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced byother crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of exportearnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root cropsare cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is stilldependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industryfeatures sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuelare imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young.Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$3.513 billion (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$7,900 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 17% services: 68% (2002 est.)
Labor force: 191,400 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 15% industry: 20% services: 65% (2002)
Unemployment rate:26.9% (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%
Budget:revenues: $637.7 millionexpenditures: $680.1 million; including capital expenditures of$112.5 million (2002)
Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats
Industries:construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:1.165 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.084 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:13,000 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.)
Exports:$147.8 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:bananas, sugar, rum, melons, spring water
Exports - partners:France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (2004)
Imports:$1.766 billion c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods,construction materials
Imports - partners:France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2%(2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA; note - substantial annual French subsidies (2004)
Currency (code):euro (EUR)
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003),1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 j(2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Guadeloupe
Telephones - main lines in use:210,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:314,700 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: domestic facilities inadequatedomestic: NAinternational: country code - 590; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua andBarbuda, Dominica, and Martinique
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:113,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:118,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.gp
Internet hosts:422 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:79,000 (2005)
Transportation Guadeloupe
Airports: 9 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 947 km (2002)
Ports and terminals:Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Pointe-a-Pitre
Military Guadeloupe
Military branches:no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 112,551 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 92,834 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 3,364 (2005 est.)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Guadeloupe
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Guam
Introduction Guam
Background:Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanesein 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The militaryinstallation on the island is one of the most strategicallyimportant US bases in the Pacific.
Geography Guam
Location:Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters ofthe way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 541.3 sq kmland: 541.3 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:125.5 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeasttrade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July toDecember); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flatcoralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steepcoastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills incenter, mountains in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use: arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, butpotentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Environment - current issues:extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation ofthe brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geography - note:largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People Guam
Population:171,019 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 29% (male 25,703/female 23,903)15-64 years: 64.3% (male 56,020/female 53,894)65 years and over: 6.7% (male 5,391/female 6,108) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 28.6 yearsmale: 28.3 yearsfemale: 28.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.43% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:18.79 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:4.48 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.81 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 7.48 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.58 yearsmale: 75.52 yearsfemale: 81.83 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.58 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: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic groups:Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8%(2000 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Languages:English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, otherPacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages3.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (1990 est.)
Government Guam
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Guamconventional short form: Guamlocal long form: Guahanlocal short form: Guahan
Dependency status:organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relationsbetween Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office ofInsular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Hagatna (Agana)geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 45 Etime difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (territory of the US)
Independence:none (territory of the US)
National holiday:Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
Constitution:Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950
Legal system:modeled on US; US federal laws apply
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in USpresidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)head of government: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003)and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003)cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governorwith the consent of the Guam legislatureelections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US presidentand vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on thesame ticket by popular vote for four-year term (can serve twoconsecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again);election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010)election results: Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor; Dr. MichaelW. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve two-year terms)elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -Republican Party 8, Democratic Party 7note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House ofRepresentatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be heldNovember 2008); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party) wasreelected as delegate; percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party- Democratic Party 1
Judicial branch:Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms bythe governor)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party(controls the legislature) [leader Philip J. FLORES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:IOC, SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of the US)
Flag description:territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all foursides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipsecontaining a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm treewith the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is thenational flag
Economy Guam
Economy - overview:The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism.Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to$1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industryhas grown to become the largest income source following nationaldefense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in bothits tourism and military sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$2.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.773 billion
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$15,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA
Labor force: 62,050 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26% industry: 10% services: 64% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:11.4% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:23% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.5% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $319.6 millionexpenditures: $427.8 million (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products:fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Industries:US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services,concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:840.1 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:781.3 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:19,000 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.)
Exports:$45 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products; constructionmaterials, fish, food and beverage products
Exports - partners:Japan 67.2%, Singapore 11.6%, UK 4.8% (2005)
Imports:$701 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:Singapore 50%, South Korea 21.4%, Japan 14%, Hong Kong 4.6% (2005)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income or excisetaxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the GuamTreasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxespaid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam(2001 est.)
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Guam
Telephones - main lines in use:84,134 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:98,000 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilitiesfor direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbersdomestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile serviceand local access to the Internetinternational: country code - 1-671; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam isa trans-Pacific communications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, andGTE, linking the US and Asia)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2006)
Radios:221,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3; 6 (Low Power TV) (2006)
Televisions:106,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.gu
Internet hosts:76 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):20 (2000)
Internet users:79,000 (2004)
Transportation Guam
Airports: 5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 977 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:Apra Harbor
Military Guam
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Guam
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Guatemala
Introduction Guatemala
Background:The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surroundingregions during the first millennium A.D. After almost threecenturies as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced avariety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-yearguerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreementformally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000people dead and had created some 1 million refugees.
Geography Guatemala
Location:Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between ElSalvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (CaribbeanSea) between Honduras and Belize
Geographic coordinates:15 30 N, 90 15 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 108,890 sq kmland: 108,430 sq kmwater: 460 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,687 kmborder countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline:400 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestoneplateau
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Natural resources:petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 13.22% permanent crops: 5.6% other: 81.18% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,300 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violentearthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes andother tropical storms
Environment - current issues:deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: no natural harbors on west coast
People Guatemala
Population:12,293,545 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41.1% (male 2,573,359/female 2,479,098)15-64 years: 55.5% (male 3,353,630/female 3,468,184)65 years and over: 3.4% (male 194,784/female 224,490) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.9 yearsmale: 18.5 yearsfemale: 19.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.27% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:29.88 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.94 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: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 30.94 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 33.55 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 28.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.38 yearsmale: 67.65 yearsfemale: 71.18 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.82 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:78,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:5,800 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Guatemalan(s)adjective: Guatemalan
Ethnic groups:Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino)and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001census)
Religions:Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Languages:Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognizedAmerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam,Garifuna, and Xinca)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 70.6%male: 78%female: 63.3% (2003 est.)
Government Guatemala
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Guatemalaconventional short form: Guatemalalocal long form: Republica de Guatemalalocal short form: Guatemala
Government type:constitutional democratic republic
Capital:name: Guatemalageographic coordinates: 14 38 N, 90 31 Wtime difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during StandardTime)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends lastFriday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2007-2009
Administrative divisions:22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); AltaVerapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso,Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, SantaRosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May1993 by former President Jorge SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993following ouster of president; amended November 1993
Legal system:civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forcesmay not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo (since14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas (since 14January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo(since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas(since 14 January 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term(may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 9 November2003; runoff held 28 December 2003 (next to be held September 2007)election results: Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent ofvote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Alvarado COLOM (UNE) 45.9%
Legislative branch:unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica(158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-yearterms)elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held September 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -GANA 49, FRG 41, UNE 33, PAN 17, other 18note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressionalseats increased from 113 to 158
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad is Guatemala'shighest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-yearterms by Congress, each serving one year as president of theConstitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by theSupreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the president, oneelected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala,and one by Colegio de Abogados); Supreme Court of Justice or CorteSuprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms andelect a president of the Court each year from among their number;the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trialjudges around the country, who are named to five-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; GrandNational Alliance or GANA (an alliance of smaller parties) [AlfredoVILA Giron, secretary general]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALESGarcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZOArevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [AlbaESTELA Maldonado, secretary general]; Guatemalan Republican Front orFRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU[Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values orMPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [LeonelLOPEZ Rodas, secretary general]; National Unity for Hope or UNE[Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN (formed byan alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whomsubsequently defected) [led by three co-equal partners - NinethVarenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge AntonioBALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [Ret. Gen. Otto PEREZ Molina];Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina];Reform Movement or MR [Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE, secretary general];Unionista Party
Political pressure groups and leaders:Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI;Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee ofAgricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations orCACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM
International organization participation:BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA,MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Guillermo CASTILLOchancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,New York, Providence, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James M. DERHAM embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2326-4654
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, andlight blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; thecoat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird)and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposedon a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framedby a wreath
Economy Guatemala
Economy - overview:Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central Americancountries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Brazil,Argentina, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for aboutone-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the laborforce. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The 1996signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removeda major obstacle to foreign investment, but widespread politicalviolence and corruption scandals continue to dampen investorconfidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal withperhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoingchallenges include increasing government revenues, negotiatingfurther assistance from international donors, upgrading bothgovernment and private financial operations, curtailing drugtrafficking, and narrowing the trade deficit.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$56.86 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$26.98 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$4,700 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.7% industry: 18.8% services: 58.5% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 3.76 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 50% industry: 15% services: 35% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.5% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:75% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 46% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:48.3 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):9.1% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):15.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $3.374 billionexpenditures: $4.041 billion; including capital expenditures of $750million (2005 est.)
Public debt:25.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep,pigs, chickens
Industries:sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum,metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:4.1% (1999)
Electricity - production:6.898 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 51.9% hydro: 35.2% nuclear: 0% other: 12.9% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:6.025 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:425 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:35 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:22,300 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:66,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:3,104 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:263 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:3.087 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-1.341 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$3.94 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables,cardamom
Exports - partners:US 50.1%, El Salvador 12.1%, Honduras 7.3%, Mexico 4% (2005)
Imports:$7.744 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,grain, fertilizers, electricity
Imports - partners:US 38.1%, Mexico 7.6%, El Salvador 4.8%, South Korea 4.8%, Panama4.4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$3.673 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$5.503 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$250 million (2000 est.)
Currency (code):quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed
Currency code:GTQ; USD
Exchange rates:quetzales per US dollar - 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004), 7.9409(2003), 7.8217 (2002), 7.8586 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Guatemala
Telephones - main lines in use:1,132,100 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3,168,300 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city ofGuatemaladomestic: NAinternational: country code - 502; connected to Central AmericanMicrowave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (AtlanticOcean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)
Radios:835,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:1.323 million (1997)
Internet country code:.gt
Internet hosts:49,026 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2000)
Internet users:756,000 (2005)
Transportation Guatemala
Airports: 450 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 112,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 4392,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 8914 to 1,523 m: 111under 914 m: 319 (2006)
Pipelines:oil 480 km (2006)
Railways:total: 886 kmnarrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 14,095 kmpaved: 4,863 km (including 75 km of expressways)unpaved: 9,232 km (1999)
Waterways:990 kmnote: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigableduring high-water season (2004)
Ports and terminals:Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Military Guatemala
Military branches:Army, Navy (includes marines), Air Force
Military service age and obligation: all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24 months (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 2,429,033females age 18-49: 2,503,482 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,911,412females age 18-49: 2,070,806 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 134,032females age 18-49: 130,641 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$169.8 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.5% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Guatemala
Disputes - international:Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the rain forests ofBelize's border region; Organization of American States (OAS) isattempting to revive the 2002 failed Differendum that created asmall adjustment to land boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor inCaribbean, a joint ecological park for the disputed Sapodilla Cays,and a substantial US-UK financial package; Guatemalans enter Mexicoillegally seeking work or transit to the US
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 250,000 (government's scorched-earth offensive in 1980sagainst indigenous people) 30,000 (Hurricane "Stan" October 2005)(2005)
Illicit drugs:major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2004, reemerged asa potential source of opium, growing 330 hectares of opium poppy,with potential pure heroin production of 1.4 metric tons; 76% ofopium poppy cultivation in western highlands along Mexican border;marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity toMexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularlyfor cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is amajor problem
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Guernsey
Introduction Guernsey
Background:The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent thelast remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held swayin both France and England. The islands were the only British soiloccupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a Britishcrown dependency, but is not part of the UK.
Geography Guernsey
Location:Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 78 sq kmland: 78 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some othersmaller islands
Area - comparative:about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:50 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days areovercast
Terrain:mostly level with low hills in southwest
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m