Life expectancy at birth:total population: 83.51 yearsmale: 80.61 yearsfemale: 86.61 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.3 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: Andorran(s)adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups:Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6%(1998)
Religions:Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages:Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%
Government Andorra
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Andorraconventional short form: Andorralocal long form: Principat d'Andorralocal short form: Andorra
Government type:parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as itschiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the presidentof France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are representedlocally by coprinces' representatives
Capital:name: Andorra la Vellageographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella,Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Juliade Loria
Independence:1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foixand the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
National holiday:Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Constitution:Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approvedby referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993
Legal system:based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995),represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); SpanishCoprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003),represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)head of government: Executive Council President Albert PINTATSANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005)cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the ExecutiveCouncil presidentelections: Executive Council president elected by the GeneralCouncil and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-yearterm; election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held April-May2009)election results: Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA elected executive councilpresident; percent of General Council vote - NA
Legislative branch:unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de lasValls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 froma single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the sevenparishes; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%,CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2
Judicial branch:Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courtsor Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra orTribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justiceor Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or MinisteriFiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Political parties and leaders:Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Partyor PD); Century 21 or S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party of Andorraor PLA (formerly Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; SocialDemocratic Party or PS (formerly part of National Democratic Groupor AND) [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OIF(associate member), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO,WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V.PIA-COMELLAchancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (3) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (3) 205-5206
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and redwith the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coatof arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chadand Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in thecenter, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Economy Andorra
Economy - overview:Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 milliontourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status andby its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantagehas recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spainhave been opened up, providing broader availability of goods andlower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven"status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agriculturalproduction is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and mostfood has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheepraising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars,and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and istreated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1.84 billion (2004)
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$24,000 (2004)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force: 48,740 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.34% industry: 19.63% services: 80.03% (2004)
Unemployment rate:0% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.4% (2004)
Budget:revenues: $373.5 millionexpenditures: $373.5 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2004)
Agriculture - products:small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Industries:tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source:NA
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:NA kWh
Electricity - imports:NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Exports:$145 million f.o.b. (2004)
Exports - commodities:tobacco products, furniture
Exports - partners:Spain 58%, France 34% (2004)
Imports:$1.077 billion (1998)
Imports - commodities:consumer goods, food, electricity
Imports - partners:Spain 51.5%, France 22.3%, US 0.3% (2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:none
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 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Andorra
Telephones - main lines in use:35,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:64,600 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connectionsbetween exchangesinternational: country code - 376; landline circuits to France andSpain
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:0 (1997)
Televisions:27,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ad
Internet hosts:14,944 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:21,900 (2005)
Transportation Andorra
Roadways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km
Military Andorra
Military branches:no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 18,418 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 14,721 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 369 (2005 est.)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Transnational Issues Andorra
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Angola
Introduction Angola
Background:Angola is slowly rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-yearcivil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for theLiberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and theNational Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led byJonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peaceseemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, butUNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls.Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million peopledisplaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold onpower. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold legislative elections in 2006.
Geography Angola
Location:Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenNamibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,246,700 sq kmland: 1,246,700 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,198 kmborder countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (ofwhich 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline:1,600 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dryseason (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources:petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,bauxite, uranium
Land use: arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005)
Irrigated land:800 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Environment - current issues:overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable topopulation pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropicalrain forest, in response to both international demand for tropicaltimber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss ofbiodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution andsiltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of theSea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest ofthe country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
People Angola
Population:12,127,071 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43.7% (male 2,678,185/female 2,625,933)15-64 years: 53.5% (male 3,291,954/female 3,195,688)65 years and over: 2.8% (male 148,944/female 186,367) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18 yearsmale: 18 yearsfemale: 18 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.45% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:45.11 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:24.2 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 185.36 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 197.56 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 172.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 38.62 yearsmale: 37.47 yearsfemale: 39.83 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.35 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:3.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:240,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:21,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005)
Nationality:noun: Angolan(s)adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups:Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed Europeanand native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998est.)
Languages:Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 66.8%male: 82.1%female: 53.8% (2001 est.)
Government Angola
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Angolaconventional short form: Angolalocal long form: Republica de Angolalocal short form: Angolaformer: People's Republic of Angola
Government type:republic; multiparty presidential regime
Capital:name: Luandageographic coordinates: 8 48 S, 13 14 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela,Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene,Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico,Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence:11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March1991, and 26 August 1992; note - a new constitution will likely bepassed following the next legislative election
Legal system:based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recentlymodified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use offree markets
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state andhead of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS wasappointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-yearterm (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) underthe 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood forreelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September1992 (next to be held September 2006 or 2007)election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not heldand SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola(UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil warresumed leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats;members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September2006)election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,other 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD3, other 7
Judicial branch:Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointedby the president)
Political parties and leaders:Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputedleadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for theTotal Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA] (largestopposition party); Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola orMPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] (ruling party in power since 1975);Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA,Antonio MUACHICUNGO]note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 electionsbut only won a few seats; they and the other 115 smaller partieshave little influence in the National Assembly
Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale, highly factionalized armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province has largely ended
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS(observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITIchancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258consulate(s) general: Houston, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia EFIRDembassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area ofLuanda), Luandamailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;pouch: US Embassy Luanda,US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place,Washington, DC 20521-2550telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centeredyellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half acogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Economy Angola
Economy - overview:Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with recordoil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and itssupporting activities contribute about half of GDP and 90% ofexports. Increased oil production supported 12% growth in 2004 and19% growth in 2005. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlementof displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in constructionand agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure isstill damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war.Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar thecountryside even though an apparently durable peace was establishedafter the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002.Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for half of thepopulation, but half of the country's food must still be imported.In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of creditfrom China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and severallarge-scale projects are scheduled for completion by 2006. Thecentral bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilizationprogram using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out ofcirculation, a policy that was more sustainable in 2005 because ofstrong oil export earnings, and has significantly reduced inflation.Consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to about 18% in 2005,but the stabilization policy places pressure on international netliquidity. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources -gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oildeposits - Angola will need to continue reforming governmentpolicies and to reduce corruption. The government has madesufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such aspromoting greater transparency in government spending but continuesto be without a formal monitoring agreement with the institution.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$45.32 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$24.35 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:19.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$3,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.6% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 5.58 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 85%industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than halfthe population (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:70% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):23% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):30.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $8.5 billionexpenditures: $10 billion; including capital expenditures of $963million (2005 est.)
Public debt:38.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industries:petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; shiprepair
Industrial production growth rate:13.5% (2004)
Electricity - production:2.24 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.9 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:1.6 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:46,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:25 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:720 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:720 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:45.87 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:$4.054 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$26.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee,sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners:US 39.8%, China 29.6%, France 7.8%, Chile 5.4%, Taiwan 4.4% (2005)
Imports:$8.165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners:South Korea 20.8%, Portugal 13.6%, US 12.7%, South Africa 7.5%,Brazil 5.6%, France 5.3%, China 5.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$3.197 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$9.401 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$383.5 million (1999)
Currency (code):kwanza (AOA)
Currency code:AOA
Exchange rates:kwanza per US dollar - 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003),43.53 (2002), 22.058 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Angola
Telephones - main lines in use:94,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,094,100 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to governmentand business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for militarylinksdomestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, andtropospheric scatterinternational: country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 29;fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity toEurope and Asia (2005)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)
Radios:815,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations:6 (2000)
Televisions:196,000 (2000)
Internet country code:.ao
Internet hosts:2,525 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:172,000 (2005)
Transportation Angola
Airports: 244 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 31over 3,047 m: 52,438 to 3,047 m: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 12914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 213over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 30914 to 1,523 m: 95under 914 m: 81 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 235 km; liquid petroleum gas 122 km; oil 867 km; oil/gas/water5 km (2006)
Railways:total: 2,761 kmnarrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
Waterways:1,300 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,343 GRT/4,643 DWTby type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1registered in other countries: 5 (Bahamas 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo
Military Angola
Military branches:Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces(FANA) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript serviceobligation - two years plus time for training (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 2,548,455females age 17-49: 2,462,601 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 1,282,195females age 17-49: 1,256,390 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 126,694females age 17-49: 123,586 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:8.8% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Angola
Disputes - international: many Cabinda exclave secessionists have sought shelter in neighboring states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 13,510 (Democratic Republic of Congo)IDPs: 40,000-60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 millionIDPs already have returned) (2005)
Illicit drugs:used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for WesternEurope and other African states
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Anguilla
Introduction Anguilla
Background:Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguillawas administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, whenthe island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - wasincorporated into a single British dependency, along with SaintKitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, twoyears after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; thisarrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becominga separate British dependency.
Geography Anguilla
Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North AtlanticOcean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 102 sq kmland: 102 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:61 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources:salt, fish, lobster
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, somecommercial salt ponds) (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People Anguilla
Population:13,477 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22.8% (male 1,557/female 1,510)15-64 years: 70.4% (male 4,878/female 4,608)65 years and over: 6.9% (male 412/female 512) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 31.2 yearsmale: 31.2 yearsfemale: 31.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.57% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:14.17 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.34 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:6.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.32 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 26.67 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.28 yearsmale: 74.35 yearsfemale: 80.3 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.73 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: Anguillan(s)adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups:black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other1.5% (2001 Census)
Religions:Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, RomanCatholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified4.3% (2001 Census)
Languages:English (official)
Literacy:definition: age 12 and over can read and writetotal population: 95%male: 95%female: 95% (1984 est.)
Government Anguilla
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:name: The Valleygeographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 04 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution:Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Governor Andrew N. GEORGE (since 10 July 2006)head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March2000)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among theelected members of the House of Assemblyelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by directpopular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members servefive-year terms)elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, ANSA 19.2%,AUM 19.4%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA2, AUM 1
Judicial branch:High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The AnguillaUnited Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition ofthe Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla NationalAlliance or ANA; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS];Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate),UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlockingcircular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Economy Anguilla
Economy - overview:Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavilyon luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, andremittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourismindustry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have putsubstantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for theeconomy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, onrevived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as onfavorable weather conditions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$108.9 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$108.9 million
GDP - real growth rate:10.2% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$8,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.)
Labor force: 6,049 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:8% (2002)
Population below poverty line:23% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.3%
Budget:revenues: $22.8 millionexpenditures: $22.5 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries:tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:3.1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA
Electricity - consumption:42.6 million kWh
Current account balance:$-42.87 million
Exports:$14.56 million (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Exports - partners:UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2004)
Imports:$129.9 million (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Imports - partners:US, Puerto Rico, UK (2004)
Debt - external:$8.8 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient:$9 million (2004 est.)
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)note: fixed rate since 1976
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Anguilla
Telephones - main lines in use:6,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,800 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: modern internal telephone systeminternational: country code - 1-264; microwave radio relay to islandof Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:3,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:1,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ai
Internet hosts:403 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:3,000 (2002)
Transportation Anguilla
Airports: 3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (2002)
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Blowing Point, Road Bay
Military Anguilla
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 3,614 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 2,986 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 120 (2005 est.)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Anguilla
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Antarctica
Introduction Antarctica
Background:Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was notconfirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercialoperators and British and Russian national expeditions beganexploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south ofthe Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established thatAntarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20thcentury. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientificresearch on the continent. A number of countries have set upyear-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have madeterritorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. Inorder to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on thecontinent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither deniesnor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Geography Antarctica
Location:continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references:Antarctic Region
Area:total: 14 million sq kmland: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq kmice-covered) (est.)note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, NorthAmerica, and South America, but larger than Australia and thesubcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international
Coastline:17,968 km
Maritime claims:Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from theircontinental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones arenot accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultativenations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russiaand the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognizethe claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes -international entry
Climate:severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distancefrom the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarcticabecause of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the mostmoderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along thecoast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain:about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, withaverage elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain rangesup to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts ofsouthern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area,and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelvesalong about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelvesconstitute 11% of the area of the continent
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 mhighest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 mnote: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in theBentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yetdiscovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Natural resources:iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and otherminerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in smalluncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005)
Natural hazards:katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the highinterior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along thecoast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of WestAntarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs maycalve from ice shelf
Environment - current issues:in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone holewas the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passingthrough the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fishlacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harmone-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas ofice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Geography - note:the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent;during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the SouthPole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostlyuninhabitable
People Antarctica
Population:no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent andsummer-only staffed research stationsnote: 26 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operatethrough their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only(summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and itsnearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the regioncovered by the Antarctic Treaty); these stations' population ofpersons doing and supporting science or engaged in the managementand protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboardresearch, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peaksummer (December-February) population - 3,822 total; Argentina 417,Australia 213, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 15, Chile 224, China 70, Ecuador22, Finland 20, France 123, Germany 78, India 65, Italy 112, Japan150, South Korea 60, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Russia429, South Africa 80, Spain 28, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 205, US1,170, Uruguay 60 (2005-2006); winter (June-August) stationpopulation - 1,028 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12,Chile 88, China 29, France 37, Germany 9, India 25, Italy 2, Japan40, South Korea 15, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, SouthAfrica 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 288, Uruguay 9 (2005); researchstations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60degrees south latitude) by members of the Council of Managers ofNational Antarctic Programs (COMNAP): year-round stations - 37total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China 2, France1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1,Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay1, Italy and France jointly 1 (2005); seasonal-only (summer)stations - 15 total; Australia 1, Bulgaria 1, Chile 1, Ecuador 1,Finland 1, Germany 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Peru 1, Russia 1,Spain 2, Sweden 1, UK 1 (2005-2006); in addition, during the australsummer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tentcamps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses insupport of research
Government Antarctica
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica
Government type: Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 28th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2005; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2005, there were 45 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 17 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Legal system:Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultativemember nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out bythese member nations (with respect to their own nationals andoperations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law,including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, suchas murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly applyto Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penaltiesfor the following activities, unless authorized by regulation ofstatute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction ofnonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protectedareas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importationinto the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of theAntarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 infines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation andDepartment of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, inadvance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State,Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations asrequired by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contactPermit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National ScienceFoundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, orvisit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to theAntarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legalinstruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states partyto the Antarctic Treaty