Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 29 June 2006 (next to be held in 2010)election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA; note - allcabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the NationalAssembly
Judicial branch:High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:none; formation of political parties is illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders:a number of political groups act as de facto parties; severallegislative blocs operate in the National Assembly: tribal groups,merchants, Shi'a activists, Islamists, and secular liberals
International organization participation:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabahchancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Richard LEBARONembassy: Bayan 36302, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near theBayan palace), Kuwait Citymailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE09880-9000telephone: [965] 259-1001FAX: [965] 538-0282
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with ablack trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I
Economy Kuwait
Economy - overview:Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with self-reportedcrude oil reserves of about 96 billion barrels - 10% of worldreserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of exportrevenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limitsagricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish,it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable watermust be distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions withforeign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of thecountry.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$47.36 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$52.76 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:8.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$20,300 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 47.9% services: 51.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 1.67 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:2.2% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.1% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):14.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $47.21 billionexpenditures: $20.77 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:12.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:practically no crops; fish
Industries:petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair,desalination, food processing, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate:13.1% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:38.19 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:35.52 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:2.418 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:305,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:1.97 million bbl/day (2003)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:96.5 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:8.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:8.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2002 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2002 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.572 trillion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:$26.92 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$44.43 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners:Japan 19.6%, South Korea 15.3%, US 11.8%, Taiwan 11%, Singapore9.5%, Netherlands 4.7% (2005)
Imports:$12.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners:US 14%, Germany 10.7%, Japan 8.4%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%, UK 5.6%,France 4.8%, China 4.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$8.972 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$16.12 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA (2001)
Currency (code):Kuwaiti dinar (KD)
Currency code:KWD
Exchange rates:Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.292 (2005), 0.2947 (2004), 0.298(2003), 0.3039 (2002), 0.3067 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Kuwait
Telephones - main lines in use:510,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2.38 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: the quality of service is excellentdomestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for newsubscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellulartelephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is wellsupplied with pay telephonesinternational: country code - 965; coaxial cable and microwave radiorelay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via theFiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat(1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:1.175 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)
Televisions:875,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.kw
Internet hosts:2,310 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:700,000 (2005)
Transportation Kuwait
Airports: 7 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Heliports:5 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2006)
Roadways:total: 4,450 kmpaved: 3,587 kmunpaved: 863 km (1999)
Merchant marine:total: 38 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,424,983 GRT/3,996,755 DWTby type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 5,livestock carrier 3, petroleum tanker 21registered in other countries: 28 (Bahrain 3, Comoros 1, Liberia 1,Libya 1, Panama 2, Qatar 7, Saudi Arabia 5, UAE 8) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'AbdAllah, Mina' al Ahmadi
Military Kuwait
Military branches:Land Forces, Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiyaal-Kuwaitiya), National Guard (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 1 month annual training to age 40; women have served in police forces since 1999 (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 864,745females age 18-49: 467,120 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 737,292females age 18-49: 405,207 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 18,743females age 18-49: 20,065 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$3.01 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.2% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Kuwait
Disputes - international:Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritimeboundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in thePersian Gulf
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Kuwait is a destination country for men andwomen who migrate legally from South and Southeast Asia for domesticor low-skilled labor, but are subjected to conditions of involuntaryservitude by employers in Kuwait including conditions of physicaland sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement to the home, andwithholding of passports to restrict their freedom of movement;Kuwait is reportedly a transit point for South and East Asianworkers recruited for low-skilled work in Iraq; some of theseworkers are deceived as to the true location and nature of thiswork, and others are subjected to conditions of involuntaryservitude in Iraq; in past years, Kuwait was also a destinationcountry for children exploited as camel jockeys, but this form oftrafficking appears to have ceasedtier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Kuwait is placed on the Tier 2Watch List because its efforts are based largely on pledges offuture actions
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Kyrgyzstan
Introduction Kyrgyzstan
Background:A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proudnomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; itachieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nationwidedemonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster ofPresident Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990.Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were wonoverwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Currentconcerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises,expansion of democracy and political freedoms, reduction ofcorruption, improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.
Geography Kyrgyzstan
Location:Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates:41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 198,500 sq kmland: 191,300 sq kmwater: 7,200 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:total: 3,878 kmborder countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical insouthwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain:peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompassentire nation
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 mhighest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources:abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earthmetals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; otherdeposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:arable land: 6.55%permanent crops: 0.28%other: 93.17%note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnutforest (2005)
Irrigated land:10,720 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:water pollution; many people get their water directly fromcontaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseasesare prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigationpractices
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range;many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
People Kyrgyzstan
Population:5,213,898 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.9% (male 821,976/female 789,687)15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,607,396/female 1,669,612)65 years and over: 6.2% (male 126,847/female 198,380) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 23.6 yearsmale: 22.8 yearsfemale: 24.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.32% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:22.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.08 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.5 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: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 34.49 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 39.72 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 28.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 68.49 yearsmale: 64.48 yearsfemale: 72.7 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.69 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,900 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups:Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Religions:Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages:Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98.7%male: 99.3%female: 98.1% (1999 est.)
Government Kyrgyzstan
Country name:conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republicconventional short form: Kyrgyzstanlocal long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasylocal short form: Kyrgyzstanformer: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Bishkekgeographic coordinates: 42 54 N, 74 36 Etime difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar);Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-AbadOblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty(Karakol)note: administrative divisions have the same names as theiradministrative centers (exceptions have the administrative centername following in parentheses)
Independence:31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution:adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AskarAKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense ofthe legislature; following the spring 2005 demonstrations, a newConstitutional Council was appointed and the reform process isongoing
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14 August 2005);note - former President Askar AKAYEV resigned effective 11 April2005 following widespread protests that forced him to flee thecountry on 24 March 2005head of government: Prime Minister Feliks KULOV (since 1 September2005); First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (since 10 May 2006)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime minister; note - the new constitution ofNovember 2006 calls for the legislature to appoint the primeminister and members of the Cabinet after the elections of 2010elections: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 July 2005(next scheduled for 2010); prime minister nominated by the presidentfor approval by Parliament; note - the new constitution of November2006 calls for the legislature to appoint the prime minister andmembers of the Cabinet after the elections of 2010election results: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent ofvote - Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, othercandidates 7.5%; Feliks KULOV approved as prime minister 55-8
Legislative branch:unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh (75 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve five year terms)elections: elections for the new unicameral body or Jorgorku Keneshwere held 27 February 2005, but the vast majority of positionsremained undecided and were contested in a runoff election on 13March 2005; election irregularities caused widespread protests thatresulted in the president being forced to flee the countryelection results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by theSupreme Council on the recommendation of the president);Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders:Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party ofKyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [ErkinALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV];Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner NationalRevival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [OmurbekTEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA];Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; ErkinKyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV];Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future ofKyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan)[Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz NationalParty [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV];Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; MoyaStrana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party ofCommunists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party ofJustice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants[Esengul ISAKOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights[Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union ofEntrepreneurs
International organization participation:AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC,OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS,UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVAchancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCHembassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016mailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217FAX: [996] (312) 551-264
Flag description:red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 raysrepresenting the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays runcounterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of thesun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylizedrepresentation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
Economy Kyrgyzstan
Economy - overview:Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantlyagricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the mainagricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exportedin any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium,natural gas, and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been progressive incarrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory systemand land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be acceptedinto the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock inenterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe afterthe breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995,production began to recover and exports began to increase.Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting relatively liberaleconomic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold minesparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced backin 2003-05. The government has made steady strides in controllingits substantial fiscal deficit and reduced the deficit to 1% of GDPin 2005. The government and international financial institutionshave been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reductionand economic growth strategy, and in 2005 agreed to pursuemuch-needed tax reform. Progress fighting corruption, furtherrestructuring of domestic industry, and success in attractingforeign investment are keys to future growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$10.08 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.144 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-0.6% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35.3% industry: 20.8% services: 43.9% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.7 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55% industry: 15% services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:18% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:40% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23.3% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:29 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):12.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $516.3 millionexpenditures: $539.9 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries;sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Industries:small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawnlogs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earthmetals
Industrial production growth rate:7.1% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:13.77 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:8.783 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:4.13 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:108 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:1,990 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - consumption:11,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:6 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-134 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$759 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas,hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners:UAE 35.6%, Russia 18.6%, China 13.4%, Kazakhstan 12.6% (2005)
Imports:$937.4 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:China 43.2%, Russia 19.8%, Kazakhstan 11.9%, Turkey 4.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$612.3 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$2.428 billion (31 December 2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$50 million from the US (2001)
Currency (code):
Currency code:KGS
Exchange rates:soms per US dollar - 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003),46.937 (2002), 48.378 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Kyrgyzstan
Telephones - main lines in use:438,200 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:541,700 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: development of telecommunicationsinfrastructure is slow; fixed line penetration remains low andconcentrated in Bishkekdomestic: two wireless telephony service providers, but penetrationremains lowinternational: country code - 996; connections with other CIScountries by landline or microwave radio relay and with othercountries by leased connections with Moscow international gatewayswitch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnikand 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe(TAE) fiber-optic line
Radio broadcast stations:AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:520,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs fromRussia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)
Televisions:210,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.kg
Internet hosts:18,928 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:280,000 (2005)
Transportation Kyrgyzstan
Airports: 37 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 16 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2006)
Railways: total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km unpaved: 1,646 km (1999)
Waterways:600 km (2006)
Ports and terminals:Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Military Kyrgyzstan
Military branches:Army, Air Force, National Guard (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,193,529females age 18-49: 1,219,080 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 871,493females age 18-49: 1,024,568 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 61,091females age 18-49: 59,784 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$19.2 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Kyrgyzstan
Disputes - international:delimitation with Kazakhstan is complete; disputes in Isfara Valleydelay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputesaround enclaves and other areas
Illicit drugs:limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CISmarkets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transitpoint for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest ofEurope
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Laos
Introduction Laos
Background:Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of LanXang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For threehundred years Lan Xang included large parts of present-day Cambodiaand Thailand, as well as all of what is now Laos. After centuries ofgradual decline, Laos came under the control of Siam (Thailand) fromthe late 18th century until the late 19th century when it becamepart of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 definedthe current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist PathetLao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchyand instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned toVietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and theliberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos becamea member of ASEAN in 1997.
Geography Laos
Location:Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 236,800 sq kmland: 230,800 sq kmwater: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:total: 5,083 kmborder countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season(December to April)
Terrain:mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use: arable land: 4.01% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 95.65% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,750 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:floods, droughts
Environment - current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thicklyforested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the westernboundary with Thailand
People Laos
Population:6,368,481 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41.4% (male 1,324,207/female 1,313,454)15-64 years: 55.4% (male 1,744,206/female 1,786,139)65 years and over: 3.1% (male 89,451/female 111,024) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.9 yearsmale: 18.6 yearsfemale: 19.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.39% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:35.49 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:11.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 83.31 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 92.95 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 55.49 yearsmale: 53.45 yearsfemale: 57.61 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,700 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups:Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung(highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnicVietnamese/Chinese 1%
Religions:Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christiandenominations 1.5%)
Languages:Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 66.4%male: 77.4%female: 55.5% (2002)
Government Laos
Country name:conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republicconventional short form: Laos PDR or Laoslocal long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Laolocal short form: none
Government type:Communist state
Capital:name: Vientianegeographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 Etime difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality*(kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone**(khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai,Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang,Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*,Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence:19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday:Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Constitution:promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system:based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures,and socialist practice
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8June 2006) and Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June2006); Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002),Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit [since 8 June2006], Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February1998), and Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approvedby the National Assemblyelections: president and vice president elected by the NationalAssembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (nextto be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president andelected by the National Assembly for a five-year termelection results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANGVolachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote -100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent ofNational Assembly vote - 97%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popularvote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -LPRP 113, independents 2
Judicial branch:People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Courtis elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of theNational Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of thePeople's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the NationalAssembly Standing Committee)
Political parties and leaders:Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALY Sayasone];other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders:noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leadersfled the country in 1975
International organization participation:ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM,OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxaychancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam Road, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] 21-26 7000 FAX: [856] 21-26 7074
Flag description:three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and redwith a large white disk centered in the blue band
Economy Laos
Economy - overview:The government of Laos, one of the few remaining official Communiststates, began decentralizing control and encouraging privateenterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely lowbase, were striking - growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except duringthe short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginningin 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country witha primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary roadsystem, and limited external and internal telecommunications, thoughthe government is sponsoring major improvements in the road systemwith possible support from Japan. Electricity is available in only afew urban areas. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice,accounts for about half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment.The economy will continue to benefit from aid by the IMF and otherinternational sources and from new foreign investment in foodprocessing and mining. Construction will be another strong economicdriver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gainsteam. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status withthe US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs onexports. This new status may help spur growth. In addition, theEuropean Union has agreed to provide $1 million to the LaoGovernment for technical assistance in preparations for WTOmembership. If the avian flu worsens and spreads in the region,however, prospects for tourism could dim.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$12.29 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.523 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45.5% industry: 28.7% services: 25.8% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.8 million (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:2.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:34% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:37 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):7% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $319.3 millionexpenditures: $434.6 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco,cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Industries:copper, tin, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power,agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement
Industrial production growth rate:13% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:3.767 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.4% hydro: 98.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:3.298 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:435 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:230 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:2,950 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:$-134 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$379 million (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin
Exports - partners:Thailand 29.6%, Vietnam 12%, France 6.1%, Germany 4.6% (2005)
Imports:$541 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Imports - partners:Thailand 66.1%, China 9%, Vietnam 6.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$249 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$2.49 billion (2001)
Economic aid - recipient:$243 million (2001 est.)
Currency (code):kip (LAK)
Currency code:LAK
Exchange rates:kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003),10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Laos
Telephones - main lines in use:90,067 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:520,546 (2006)
Telephone system:general assessment: service to general public is poor butimproving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network tocommunicate with remote areasdomestic: radiotelephone communicationsinternational: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006)
Radios:730,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:7; note - including one station relaying Vietnam Television fromHanoi (2006)
Televisions:52,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.la
Internet hosts:1,108 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:25,000 (2005)
Transportation Laos
Airports:44 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 351,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 13under 914 m: 21 (2006)
Pipelines:refined products 540 km (2006)
Roadways:total: 32,620 kmpaved: 4,590 kmunpaved: 28,030 km (2002)
Waterways:4,600 kmnote: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km areintermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWTby type: cargo 1 (2006)
Military Laos
Military branches:Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force
Military service age and obligation:15 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript serviceobligation - minimum 18 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 15-49: 1,500,625females age 15-49: 1,521,116 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 15-49: 954,816females age 15-49: 1,006,082 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 73,167females age 15-49: 71,432 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$11.04 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.4% (2005 est.)
Military - note:Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the LaoPeople's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectivelyresourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse fundingto the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likelyto continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industrycentered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcoticstransit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active onthe Lao-Burma border (2005)
Transnational Issues Laos
Disputes - international:Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to checkthe spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcationwith Thailand but disputes remain over several areas along MekongRiver and Thai squatters; concern among Mekong Commission membersthat China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affectwater levels
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Laos is a source country for men and womentrafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation;a significant number are economic migrants who are subjected tocommercial sexual exploitation or conditions of forced or bondedlabor in Thailand; to a lesser extent, Laos is a transit anddestination country for women who are trafficked for sexualexploitation including a small number of victims from China andVietnam trafficked to work as street vendors and for sexualexploitation in prostitutiontier rating: Tier 3 - Laos does not fully comply with the minimumstandards for the elimination of trafficking and is not makingsignificant efforts to do so
Illicit drugs:estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decreasefrom 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons,a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Latvia
Introduction Latvia
Background:After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars,Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished itsindependence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of theRussian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern toMoscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography Latvia
Location:Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia andLithuania
Geographic coordinates:57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 64,589 sq kmland: 63,589 sq kmwater: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:total: 1,368 kmborder countries: Belarus 167 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km,Russia 282 km
Coastline:531 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:low plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Land use: arable land: 28.19% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 71.36% (2005)
Irrigated land:200 sq kmnote: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, notirrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural landhas been improved by drainage (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to serviceindustries after the country regained independence; the mainenvironmental priorities are improvement of drinking water qualityand sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, aswell as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EUaccession negotiation chapter on environment committing to fullenforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, withsome hills in the east
People Latvia
Population:2,274,735 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 14% (male 162,562/female 155,091)15-64 years: 69.6% (male 769,004/female 815,042)65 years and over: 16.4% (male 121,646/female 251,390) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 39.4 yearsmale: 36.3 yearsfemale: 42.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.67% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:13.66 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.26 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: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 9.35 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 11.31 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.33 yearsmale: 66.08 yearsfemale: 76.85 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.27 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.6% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:7,600 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Latvian(s)adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups:Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%,Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Religions:Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages:Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3%(2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.8%male: 99.8%female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Government Latvia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Latviaconventional short form: Latvialocal long form: Latvijas Republikalocal short form: Latvijaformer: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic