Natural resources:forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabedminerals
Land use:arable land: 8.7%permanent crops: 4.35%other: 86.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to themarine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishingpractices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of sixisland groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War IIbattleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
People Palau
Population:20,579 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.3% (male 2,789/female 2,622)15-64 years: 69.1% (male 7,664/female 6,549)65 years and over: 4.6% (male 453/female 502) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 31.7 yearsmale: 32.7 yearsfemale: 30.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.31% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:18.03 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 14.46 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 16.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 12.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.42 yearsmale: 67.26 yearsfemale: 73.77 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.46 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: Palauan(s)adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%,Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%,Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%(2000 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenousto Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%,Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other religion 3.1%, unspecified or none16.4% (2000 census)
Languages:Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoraleseand English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), andAngaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%,English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, otherAsian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92%male: 93%female: 90% (1980 est.)
Government Palau
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Palauconventional short form: Palaulocal long form: Beluu er a Belaulocal short form: Belauformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government type:constitutional government in free association with the US; theCompact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:name: Melekeokgeographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 Etime difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror,Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence:1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:1 January 1981
Legal system:based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,common, and customary laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005)cabinet: NAelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president;percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote -Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of theSenate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a populationbasis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be heldNovember 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (nextto be held November 2008)election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -independents 9 (four new members elected); House of Delegates -percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 (one new memberelected)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTAchancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC20006telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281consulate(s) general: Honoluluconsulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: US ambassador to the Philippines is accredited toPalauembassy: Koror (no street address)mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description:light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shiftedslightly to the hoist side
Economy Palau
Economy - overview:The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture,and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force,relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business andtourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys aper capita income twice that of the Philippines and much ofMicronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have beengreatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, therising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and thewillingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$124.5 million; note - includes US subsidy (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$145 million
GDP - real growth rate:5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$7,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% 6.2% industry: NA% 12% services: NA% 81.8%
Labor force: 9,777 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: NA% services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:4.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.7% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $72.07 millionexpenditures: $72.43 million; including capital expenditures of$12.98 million (FY98/99 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,garment making
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production by source:NA
Current account balance:$15.09 million
Exports:$5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners:US, Japan, Singapore (2004)
Imports:$107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea (2004)
Debt - external:$0 (FY99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:$19.6 million; note - the Compact of Free Association with the US,entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994,provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years inreturn for furnishing military facilities
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Palau
Telephones - main lines in use:6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:12,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (cable) (2005)
Televisions:11,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.pw
Internet hosts:3 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Transportation Palau
Airports: 3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways:total: 61 kmpaved: 36 kmunpaved: 25 km
Ports and terminals:Koror
Military Palau
Military branches:no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 5,694 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,087 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 142 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of FreeAssociation between Palau and the US, the US military is grantedaccess to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed anymilitary forces there (2005)
Transnational Issues Palau
Disputes - international: border delineation disputes being negotiated with Philippines, Indonesia
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Panama
Introduction Panama
Background:Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panamabroke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Venezuela,and Ecuador - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latterdissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With USbacking, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed atreaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and USsovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure(the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US ArmyCorps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement wassigned for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panamaby the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone andincreasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in thesubsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA wasdeposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting theCanal, and remaining US military bases were transfered to Panama bythe end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitiousplan to expand the Canal. The project, which is to begin in 2007 andcould double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in2014-15.
Geography Panama
Location:Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the NorthPacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates:9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 78,200 sq kmland: 75,990 sq kmwater: 2,210 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (Mayto January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain:interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, uplandplains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources:copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:430 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridgeconnecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that linksNorth Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People Panama
Population:3,191,319 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.3% (male 492,403/female 472,996)15-64 years: 63.4% (male 1,025,898/female 998,926)65 years and over: 6.3% (male 94,122/female 106,974) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 26.1 yearsmale: 25.8 yearsfemale: 26.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.6% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:21.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 16.37 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 17.75 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 14.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.22 yearsmale: 72.68 yearsfemale: 77.87 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Panamanian(s)adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed(West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 93.2%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Panama
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Panamaconventional short form: Panamalocal long form: Republica de Panamalocal short form: Panama
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:name: Panamageographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 Wtime difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during StandardTime)
Administrative divisions:9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas
Independence:3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28November 1821)
National holiday:Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004
Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts inthe Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for two more terms);election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009); note -beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president.election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percentof vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),PP (Popular Party)
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly)or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms); note - in 2009, the number of seats willchange to 71elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, CD 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on aplurality basis while districts located in more populous towns andcities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-basedformula
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judgesappointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts ofappeal
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; DemocraticRevolutionary Party or PRD [Hugo GUIRAUD]; National Liberal Party orPLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement orMOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly theArnulfista Party) [Marco AMEGLIO]; Popular Party or PP (formerlyChristian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ricardo ARIAS Calderon];Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council ofOrganized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterpriseor CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers(SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation ofthe Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM,OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Ariaschancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador William A. EATONembassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,Zona 5, Panama City 5mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002telephone: [507] 207-7000FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag description:divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plainred; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white witha red five-pointed star in the center
Economy Panama
Economy - overview:Panama's dollarised economy rests primarily on a well-developedservices sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Servicesinclude operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone,insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slumpin the Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the globalslowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held backeconomic growth in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004 and 2005 led byexport-oriented services and a construction boom stimulated by taxincentives. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well associal security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements anddevelopment of tourism. Unemployment remains high.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$23.33 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$14.89 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$7,400 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 6.8%industry: 15.6%services: 77.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force:1.39 millionnote: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilledlabor (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 20.8%industry: 18%services: 61.2% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate:9.8% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:37% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:56.4 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):16.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $3.426 billionexpenditures: $3.959 billion; including capital expenditures of $471million (2005 est.)
Public debt:64.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock;shrimp
Industries:construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials,sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:1.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:5.398 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:4.87 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:175 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:25 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:78,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day; note - imports oil
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:$-705.7 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$7.481 billion f.o.b.; note - includes the Colon Free Zone (2005est.)
Exports - commodities:bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
Exports - partners:US 44.9%, Spain 8.9%, Sweden 5.6%, Netherlands 4.9%, Costa Rica 4%(2005)
Imports:$8.734 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports - partners:US 27.5%, Netherlands Antilles 11.4%, Costa Rica 4.7%, Japan 4.5%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$1.211 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$9.758 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$197.1 million (1995)
Currency (code):balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Currency code:PAB; USD
Exchange rates:balboas per US dollar - 1 (2005), 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1(2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:440,100 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.352 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: domestic and international facilities welldevelopeddomestic: NAinternational: country code - 507; 1 coaxial submarine cable;satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected tothe Central American Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations:AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:815,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:38 (including repeaters) (1998)
Televisions:510,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.pa
Internet hosts:7,149 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:300,000 (2005)
Transportation Panama
Airports: 117 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 53 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 28 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 64 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 53 (2006)
Railways:total: 355 kmstandard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 278 km 0.914-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 11,643 kmpaved: 4,028 kmunpaved: 7,615 km (2000)
Waterways:800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 5,473 ships (1000 GRT or over) 146,511,342 GRT/219,940,567DWTby type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 1,776, cargo 992, chemicaltanker 476, combination ore/oil 2, container 663, liquefied gas 193,livestock carrier 7, passenger 49, passenger/cargo 77, petroleumtanker 518, refrigerated cargo 299, roll on/roll off 123,specialized tanker 23, vehicle carrier 274foreign-owned: 4,922 (Anguilla 1, Argentina 9, Australia 3, Bahamas,The 2, Belgium 11, Bermuda 1, Bulgaria 1, Canada 4, Chile 9, China420, Colombia 5, Croatia 5, Cuba 11, Cyprus 14, Denmark 34, Egypt16, Estonia 3, France 15, Gabon 1, Germany 35, Greece 524, Hong Kong169, India 19, Indonesia 50, Iran 4, Ireland 2, Israel 6, Italy 15,Japan 2007, Jordan 13, South Korea ( ( (291, Kuwait 2, Latvia 3,Lebanon 2, Lithuania 5, Malaysia 13, Maldives 1, Malta 3, Mexico 5,Monaco 9, Morocco 1, Netherlands 21, Nigeria 7, Norway 66, Pakistan3, Peru 15, Philippines 13, Poland 15, Portugal 10, Qatar 1, Romania9, Russia 7, Saudi Arabia 8, Singapore 67, South Africa 3, Spain 53,Sri Lanka 5, Sudan 1, Sweden 5, Switzerland 226, Syria 18, Taiwan308, Thailand 9, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 42, UAE 105, UK 37,Ukraine 8, US 94, Venezuela 14, Vietnam 4, Yemen 3)registered in other countries: 1 (Venezuela 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Balboa, Colon, Cristobal
Military Panama
Military branches:an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, butthere are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includesthe Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, andNational Air Service)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 751,065 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 591,604 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 29,724
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$150 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1% (2005 est.)
Military - note:on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARAabolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus bycreating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama'sLegislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibitingthe creation of a standing military force, but allowing thetemporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of"external aggression"
Transnational Issues Panama
Disputes - international: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the border region with Panama
Illicit drugs:major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-launderingcenter for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity isespecially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center;negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financialtransactions is improving; official corruption remains a majorproblem
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Papua New Guinea
Introduction Papua New Guinea
Background:The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest inthe world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, whichoccupied the northern portion during World War I and continued toadminister the combined areas until independence in 1975. Anine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography Papua New Guinea
Location:Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the islandof New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean,east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 462,840 sq kmland: 452,860 sq kmwater: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:5,152 km
Maritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesterritorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon(May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0.49% permanent crops: 1.4% other: 98.11% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; thecountry is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mudslides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growingcommercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from miningprojects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largestswamps along southwest coast
People Papua New Guinea
Population:5,670,544 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 37.8% (male 1,090,879/female 1,054,743)15-64 years: 58.3% (male 1,703,204/female 1,601,224)65 years and over: 3.9% (male 103,054/female 117,440) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 21.2 yearsmale: 21.4 yearsfemale: 21.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.21% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:29.36 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 49.96 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 54.08 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 45.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 65.28 yearsmale: 63.08 yearsfemale: 67.58 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.88 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.6% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:600 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations (2005)
Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups:Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions:Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/LondonMissionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%,Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs34%
Languages:Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua regionnote: 820 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world'stotal)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 64.6%male: 71.1%female: 57.7% (2002)
Government Papua New Guinea
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guineaconventional short form: Papua New Guinealocal short form: Papuaniuginiformer: Territory of Papua and New Guineaabbreviation: PNG
Government type:constitutional parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Port Moresbygeographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 Etime difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands,East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay,Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, SouthernHighlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution:16 September 1975
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 general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June2004)head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2August 2002); deputy prime minister Don Polye (since 5 July 2006)cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governorgeneral on the recommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the National Executive Council; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by thegovernor general
Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the Houseof Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 fromprovincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was notcompleted during the June 2002 election period); next to be held notlater than June 2007election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 18%,URP 13%, PDM 12%, PPP 8%, Pangu 6%, PAP 5%, PLP 4%, others 34%;seats by party - National Alliance 19, URP 14, PDM 13, PPP 8, PANGU6, PAP 5, PLP 4, others 40; as of January 2006 - National Alliance25, URP 10, PNGP 9, PPP 9, PANGU 6, PAP 12, PLP 4, others 34note: association with political parties is fluid (2005)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governorgeneral on the proposal of the National Executive Council afterconsultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judgesare appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Party [Dr. Banare BUN]; Melanesian AllianceParty or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL]; National Alliance Party or NA [MichaelSOMARE]; National Party [Melcher PEP]; Papua and Niugini Union Partyor PANGU [Rabbie NAMALIU]; Papua New Guinea First Party [CecilkingDORUBA]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA]; Papua New GuineaParty or PNGP (was People's Democratic Movement or PDM) [Sir MekereMORAUTA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Moses MALADINA]; People'sLabor Party or PLP [Ekis ROPENU]; People's National Congress or PNC[Peter O'NEILL]; People's Progress Party or PPP [Byron CHAN]; PipolFirst Party [Luther WENGE]; United Party [Bire KIMASOPA]; UnitedResources Party or URP [Tim NEVILLE] (2005)
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD,ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA,NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKIchancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC20036telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description:divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangleis red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lowertriangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of theSouthern Cross constellation centered
Economy Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, butexploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high costof developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistencelivelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, includingoil, copper, and gold, account for nearly two-thirds of exportearnings. The economy has improved over the past three years becauseof high commodity prices following a prolonged period ofinstability. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expendedmuch of its energy remaining in power and should be the firstgovernment in decades to serve a full five-year term. The governmenthas also brought stability to the national budget thus far, largelythrough expenditure control. Numerous challenges still face thegovernment including regaining investor confidence, restoringintegrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency byprivatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relationswith Australia, the former colonial ruler. Other socio-culturalchallenges include the HIV/Aids epidemic, law and order, and landtenure issues. Australia annually supplies $240 million in aid,which accounts for nearly 20% of the national budget.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$14.37 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$3.924 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35.3% industry: 38.1% services: 26.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.413 million (2004)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:2.8% up to 80% in urban areas (2004)
Population below poverty line:37% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:50.9 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.368 billionexpenditures: $1.354 billion; including capital expenditures of $344million (2005 est.)
Public debt:42.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweetpotatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork
Industries:copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chipproduction; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oilproduction, petroleum refining; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:1.592 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.481 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:50,000 bbl/day (January 2006 est.)
Oil - consumption:18,000 bbl/day (January 2006 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:170 million bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:140 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:140 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:345.5 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:$482.1 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$2.833 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish,prawns
Exports - partners:Australia 28.7%, Japan 8.6%, China 5.4% (2005)
Imports:$1.651 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,chemicals
Imports - partners:Australia 54.6%, Singapore 13.4%, Japan 4.3%, Malaysia 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$748.8 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$1.882 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):kina (PGK)
Currency code:PGK
Exchange rates:kina per US dollar - 3.08 (2005), 3.2225 (2004), 3.5635 (2003),3.8952 (2002), 3.3887 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:62,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:26,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: services are adequate; facilities provideradiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, andinternational radio communication servicesdomestic: mostly radiotelephoneinternational: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia andGuam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);international radio communication service
Radio broadcast stations:AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)
Radios:410,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2004)
Televisions:59,841 (1999)
Internet country code:.pg
Internet hosts:1,573 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2000)
Internet users:170,000 (2005)
Transportation Papua New Guinea
Airports: 582 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 561 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 488 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Pipelines:oil 264 km (2006)
Roadways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999)
Waterways:10,940 km (2003)
Merchant marine:total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 55,532 GRT/72,240 DWTby type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 18, passenger/cargo 2, petroleumtanker 1, roll on/roll off 1foreign-owned: 6 (UK 6) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Kimbe, Lae, Rabaul
Military Papua New Guinea
Military branches:Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Maritime OperationsElement, Air Operations Element)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,264,728females age 18-49: 1,167,188 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 902,432females age 18-49: 894,759 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$16.9 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international:relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegalcross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goodssmuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters andsecessionists
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Paracel Islands
Introduction Paracel Islands
Background:The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing groundsand by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochinaannexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China hasoccupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized aSouth Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islandsare claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography Paracel Islands
Location:Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the SouthChina Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to thenorthern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: NA sq kmland: NA sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:NA
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:518 km
Maritime claims:NA
Climate:tropical
Terrain:mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:0 sq km
Natural hazards:typhoons
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into thenortheast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
People Paracel Islands
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government Paracel Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy Paracel Islands
Economy - overview:China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.