Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace andjustice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateraltriangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center ofthe triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, eachrepresenting one of the first eight provinces that soughtindependence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains asmall, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three majorgeographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao;the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flownupside down with the red band at the top
Economy Philippines
Economy - overview:The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financialcrisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by its high levelof annual remittances from overseas workers, and no sustained runupin asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis. From a0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economicslowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDPgrowth accelerated to about 5% between 2002 and 2005 reflecting thecontinued resilience of the service sector, and improved exports andagricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustainedgrowth path to make appreciable progress in the alleviation ofpoverty given the Philippines' high annual population growth rateand unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also faceshigher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar borrowings,and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's ability tofinance infrastructure and social spending. The Philippines'consistently large budget deficit has produced a high debt level,and this situation has forced Manila to spend a large portion of thenational government budget on debt service. Large unprofitablepublic enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute tothe government's debt because of slow progress on privatization.Credit rating agencies have at times expressed concern about thePhilippines' ability to service the debt, though central bankreserves appear adequate and large remittance inflows appear stable.The implementation of the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) in November2005 boosted confidence in the government's fiscal capacity andhelped to strengthen the peso, which gained 5.7 percentyear-on-year, making it East Asia's best performing currency in2005. Investors and credit rating institutions will continue to lookfor effective implementation of the new VAT and continuedimprovement in the government's overall fiscal capacity in thecoming year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$412.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$91.36 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$4,700 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.4% industry: 32.6% services: 53% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 36.73 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 36% industry: 16% services: 48% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:8.7% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:40% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:46.6 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.6% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):15.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $12.38 billionexpenditures: $15.77 billion; including capital expenditures of NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:72.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples,mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Industries:electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals,chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining,fishing
Industrial production growth rate:2.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:47.82 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:44.48 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:14,360 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:335,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:0 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:312,000 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - proved reserves:152 million bbl (1 January 2004)
Natural gas - production:2.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:106.8 billion cu m (1 January 2004)
Current account balance:$2.354 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$41.25 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts, copperproducts, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 18%, Japan 17.5%, China 9.9%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.1%,Singapore 6.6%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2005)
Imports:$42.66 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, vehicles and vehicleparts, plastic, chemicals, grains
Imports - partners:US 19.2%, Japan 17%, Singapore 7.9%, Taiwan 7.5%, China 6.3%, SouthKorea 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$18.5 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$65.71 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA commitments, $2 billion (2004)
Currency (code):Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency code:PHP
Exchange rates:Philippine pesos per US dollar - 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004),54.203 (2003), 51.604 (2002), 50.993 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:3,437,500 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:32.81 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarinecable services; domestic and inter-island service adequatedomestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stationsinternational: country code - 63; 9 international gateways;satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 PacificOcean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, andJapan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2004)
Radios:11.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)
Televisions:3.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ph
Internet hosts:111,262 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):33 (2000)
Internet users:7.82 million (2005)
Transportation Philippines
Airports: 256 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 10 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 99 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2006)
Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2005)
Roadways: total: 200,037 km paved: 19,804 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2003)
Waterways:3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 403 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,661,285 GRT/6,426,183 DWTby type: bulk carrier 82, cargo 115, chemical tanker 13, container6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 17, passenger 9,passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 15, rollon/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 13foreign-owned: 66 (Greece 5, Hong Kong 3, Japan 26, Malaysia 1,Netherlands 19, Norway 3, UAE 1, US 8)registered in other countries: 41 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Cambodia1, Cayman Islands 1, Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 16, Indonesia 1,Panama 13, Singapore 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Surigao
Military Philippines
Military branches:Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes MarineCorps), Philippine Air Force (Hukbomg Himpapawid ng Pilipinas) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 20,131,179females age 18-49: 20,009,526 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 15,170,096females age 18-49: 16,931,191 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 907,542females age 18-49: 878,712 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$836.9 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.9% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands,known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed byChina, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions inthe Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code ofconduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, thenational oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signeda joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the SpratlyIslands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's SabahState in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's grantingthe Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereigntyclaim on his behalf
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 150,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and AbuSayyaf groups) (2005)
Illicit drugs:domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem inrecent years; longstanding marijuana producer
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Pitcairn Islands
Introduction Pitcairn Islands
Background:Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settledin 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the SouthPacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned thepopulation from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.
Geography Pitcairn Islands
Location:Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway betweenPeru and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 47 sq kmland: 47 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:51 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainyseason (November to March)
Terrain:rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources:miro trees (used for handicrafts), fishnote: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have beendiscovered offshore
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment - current issues:deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remainsbecause of burning and clearing for settlement)
Geography - note:Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island ofPitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; suppliesmust be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationedoffshore
People Pitcairn Islands
Population: 45 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:NA
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:NA
Sex ratio:NA
Infant mortality rate:total: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Total fertility rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups:descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Religions:Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century Englishdialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Literacy:NA
Government Pitcairn Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islandsconventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Adamstowngeographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 Wtime difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940;further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system:local island by-laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands George FERGUSSON (since April2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Councilhead of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006);Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15December 2004)cabinet: NAelections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissionerappointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for athree-year term; election last held December 2004 (next to be heldDecember 2007)election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of theIsland Council
Legislative branch:unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 elected by popular vote, 1nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governorincluding 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and acommissioner liaising between the governor and council; electedmembers serve one-year terms)elections: last held in 24 December 2005 (next to be held December2006)election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; JudicialOfficers are appointed by the Governor
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:SPC, 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 Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of theflag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with ashield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy Pitcairn Islands
Economy - overview:The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing,subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertilesoil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits andvegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The majorsources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors andthe sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October 2004, more thanone-quarter of Pitcairn's small labor force was arrested, puttingthe economy in a bind, since their services were required as lightercrew to load or unload passing ships.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$NA
Labor force:15 able-bodied men (2004)
Labor force - by occupation:note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works;subsistence farming and fishing
Budget:revenues: $746,000expenditures: $1.028 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(FY04/05)
Agriculture - products:honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens
Industries:postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey
Electricity - production:NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-poweredgenerator
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
Economic aid - recipient:$3.465 million (2004)
Currency (code):New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:NZD
Exchange rates:New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004),1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Pitcairn Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: satellite phone servicesdomestic: domestic communication via radio (CB)international: country code - 872; satellite earth station (Inmarsat)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0, note - 15 Ham radio operators (VP6) (2004)
Radios:NA
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.pn
Internet hosts:8 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:NA
Transportation Pitcairn Islands
Roadways: total: 6 km unpaved: 6 km (dirt roads)
Ports and terminals:Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)
Military Pitcairn Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Pitcairn Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Poland
Introduction Poland
Background:Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle ofthe 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry andinternal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreementsbetween 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitionedPoland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II.It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but itsgovernment was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoilin 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union"Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 hadswept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy"program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform itseconomy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Polandstill faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment,underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor ruralunderclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy tothe lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the SolidarityTrade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union'spolitical role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-orientedcountry largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active memberof Euro-Atlantic organizations.
Geography Poland
Location:Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates:52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 312,685 sq kmland: 304,465 sq kmwater: 8,220 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:total: 3,056 kmborder countries: Belarus 416 km, Czech Republic 790 km, Germany 467km, Lithuania 103 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 210 km, Slovakia541 km, Ukraine 529 km
Coastline:491 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
Climate:temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters withfrequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers andthundershowers
Terrain:mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
Elevation extremes:lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 mhighest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources:coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber,arable land
Land use: arable land: 40.25% permanent crops: 1% other: 58.75% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding
Environment - current issues:situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industryand increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments;air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxideemissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rainhas caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial andmunicipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardouswastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrialestablishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but atsubstantial cost to business and the government
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94
Geography - note:historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and thelack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
People Poland
Population:38,536,869 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.9% (male 3,142,811/female 2,976,363)15-64 years: 70.8% (male 13,585,306/female 13,704,763)65 years and over: 13.3% (male 1,961,326/female 3,166,300) (2006est.)
Median age: total: 37 years male: 35.1 years female: 39 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.05% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.85 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.89 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.46 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.22 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 7.95 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.97 yearsmale: 70.95 yearsfemale: 79.23 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.25 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:14,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Pole(s)adjective: Polish
Ethnic groups:Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, otherand unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%,Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)
Languages:Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.8%male: 99.8%female: 99.7% (2003 est.)
Government Poland
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Polandconventional short form: Polandlocal long form: Rzeczpospolita Polskalocal short form: Polska
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Warsawgeographic coordinates: 52 15 N, 21 00 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:16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie,Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie,Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie,Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie,Zachodniopomorskie
Independence:11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Constitution:adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997, passed by nationalreferendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997
Legal system:mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdoverCommunist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as partof broader democratization process; limited judicial review oflegislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal arefinal; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court ofJustice in Strasbourg; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI (since 10 July2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Ludwik DORN (since 23 November 2005),Roman GIERTYCH (since 5 May 2006), Zyta GILOWSKA (since 22 September2006), Andrzej LEPPER (since 16 October 2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister andthe Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, andthe Sejm approves the Council of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 9 and 23 October2005 (next to be held October 2010); prime minister and deputy primeministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejmelection results: Lech KACZYNSKI elected president; percent ofpopular vote - Lech KACZYNSKI 54%, Donald Tusk 46%
Legislative branch:bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house, the Senate orSenat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on aprovincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, theSejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system ofproportional representation to serve four-year terms); thedesignation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is onlyused on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointlyelections: Senate - last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held bySeptember 2009); Sejm elections last held 25 September 2005 (next tobe held by September 2009)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - PiS 49, PO 34, LPR 7, SO 3, PSL 2, independents 5; Sejm -percent of vote by party - PiS 27%, PO 24.1%, SO 11.4%, SLD 11.3%,LPR 8%, PSL 7%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PiS 155, PO 133, SO56, SLD 55, LPR 34, PSL 25, German minorities 2note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejmonly
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on therecommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for anindefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen bythe Sejm for nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Catholic-National Movement or RKN [Antoni MACIEREWICZ]; CivicPlatform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or SKL[Artur BALASZ]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [WojciechOLEJNICZAK]; Democratic Party or PD [Wladyslaw FRASYNIUK]; DomOjczysty (Fatherland Home); German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO[Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI]; Leagueof Polish Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI]; Peasant-DemocraticParty or PLD [Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [JanLOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Waldemar PAWLAK]; RuchPatriotyczny or RP [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Samoobrona or SO [AndrzejLEPPER]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [Marek BOROWSKI];Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP[Andrzej SPYCHALSKI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ];Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade Union[Janusz SNIADEK]
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS,BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW,OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE,UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Janusz REITER chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688 consulate(s) general: Krakow
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to theflags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Economy Poland
Economy - overview:Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalizationthroughout the 1990s and today stands out as a success story amongtransition economies. Even so, much remains to be done, especiallyin bringing down the unemployment rate - currently the highest inthe EU. The privatization of small- and medium-sized state-ownedcompanies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has encouragedthe development of the private business sector, but legal andbureaucratic obstacles alongside persistent corruption are hamperingits further development. Poland's agricultural sector remainshandicapped by surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack ofinvestment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors"(e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy), while recentlyinitiated, have stalled. Reforms in health care, education, thepension system, and state administration have resulted inlarger-than-expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in publicfinance depends mainly on reducing losses in Polish stateenterprises, restraining entitlements, and overhauling the tax codeto incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers, most of whompay no tax. The previous Socialist-led government introduced apackage of social and administrative spending cuts to reduce publicspending by about $17 billion through 2007, but full implementationof the plan was trumped by election-year politics in 2005. Theright-wing Law and Justice party won parliamentary elections inSeptember, and Lech KACZYNSKI won the presidential election inOctober 2005, running on a state-interventionist fiscal and monetaryplatform. Poland joined the EU in May 2004, and surging exports tothe EU contributed to Poland's strong growth in 2004, though itscompetitiveness could be threatened by the zloty's appreciation. GDPper capita roughly equals that of the three Baltic states. Polandstands to benefit from nearly $23.2 billion in EU funds, availablethrough 2006. Farmers have already begun to reap the rewards ofmembership via booming exports, higher food prices, and EUagricultural subsidies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$505.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$246.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$13,100 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 31.1% services: 64% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 17.1 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16.1% industry: 29% services: 54.9% (2002)
Unemployment rate:18.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:17% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 26.7% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:34.1 (2002)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):18.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $52.73 billionexpenditures: $63.22 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:47.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy
Industries:machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals,shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:3.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:150.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:121.3 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:15.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:5 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:24,530 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:476,200 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:53,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:413,700 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:142.4 million bbl (December 2004)
Natural gas - production:4.33 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - consumption:14.97 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:44 million cu m (2004)
Natural gas - imports:9.45 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - proved reserves:154.4 billion cu m (December 2004)
Current account balance:$-4.364 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$92.72 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufacturedgoods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and liveanimals 7.6% (2003)
Exports - partners:Germany 28.2%, France 6.2%, Italy 6.1%, UK 5.6%, Czech Republic4.6%, Russia 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2005)
Imports:$95.67 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufacturedgoods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and relatedmaterials 9.1% (2003)
Imports - partners:Germany 29.6%, Russia 8.7%, Italy 6.6%, Netherlands 5.9%, France5.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$42.56 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$101.5 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $13.9 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)
Currency (code):zloty (PLN)
Currency code:PLN
Exchange rates:zlotych per US dollar - 3.2355 (2005), 3.6576 (2004), 3.8891(2003), 4.08 (2002), 4.0939 (2001)note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Poland
Telephones - main lines in use:11.803 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:29,166,400 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications networkhas accelerated with market based competition finalized in 2003;fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, isdwarfed by the growth in wireless telephonydomestic: wireless service, available since 1993 (GSM serviceavailable since 1996) and provided by three nation-wide networks,has grown rapidly in response to the weak fixed-line coverage; thirdgeneration UMTS service available in urban areas; cellular coverageis generally good with more gaps in the east; fixed-line service isgrowing slowly and still lags in rural areasinternational: country code - 48; international direct dialing withautomated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat,Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:20.2 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:40 (2006)
Televisions:13.05 million (1997)
Internet country code:.pl
Internet hosts:358,476 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):19 (2000)
Internet users:10.6 million (2005)
Transportation Poland
Airports: 122 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2006)
Heliports:3 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 13,552 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2006)
Railways:total: 23,072 kmbroad gauge: 629 km 1.524-m gaugestandard gauge: 22,443 km 1.435-m gauge (20,555 km operational;11,910 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 423,997 kmpaved: 295,356 km (including 405 km of expressways)unpaved: 128,641 km (2004)
Waterways:3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 11 ships (1000 GRT or over) 55,701 GRT/45,082 DWTby type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/rolloff 1, vehicle carrier 1foreign-owned: 1 (Nigeria 1)registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas15, Belize 2, Cyprus 20, Liberia 14, Malta 27, Norway 2, Panama 15,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 2, Vanuatu 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin
Military Poland
Military branches:Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces (includes Navy (Marynarka Wojenna,MW)), Polish Air Force (Polskie Sily Powietrzne, PSP) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for compulsory military service after January 1st of the year of 18th birthday; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; in 2005, Poland plans to shorten the length of conscript service obligation from 12 to 9 months; by 2008, plans call for at least 60% of military personnel to be volunteers; only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004, women are only allowed to serve as officers and noncommissioned officers (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 9,681,703females age 17-49: 9,480,641 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 7,739,472females age 17-49: 7,859,165 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 275,446females age 17-49: 265,164 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$3.5 billion (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.71% (2002)
Transnational Issues Poland
Disputes - international:as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,Poland must implement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the internationalmarket; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin Americanillicit drugs to Western Europe
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Portugal
Introduction Portugal
Background:Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16thcenturies, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with thedestruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during theNapoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next sixdecades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, aleft-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. Thefollowing year, Portugal granted independence to all of its Africancolonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC(now the EU) in 1986.
Geography Portugal
Location:Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west ofSpain
Geographic coordinates:39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 92,391 sq kmland: 91,951 sq kmwater: 440 sq kmnote: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier insouth
Terrain:mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico inthe Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources:fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten,silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land,hydropower
Land use:arable land: 17.29%permanent crops: 7.84%other: 74.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:6,500 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:Azores subject to severe earthquakes
Environment - current issues:soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicleemissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, EnvironmentalModification
Geography - note:Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along westernsea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
People Portugal
Population:10,605,870 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.5% (male 915,604/female 839,004)15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,484,545/female 3,544,674)65 years and over: 17.2% (male 751,899/female 1,070,144) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 38.5 yearsmale: 36.4 yearsfemale: 40.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.36% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:10.5 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.7 yearsmale: 74.43 yearsfemale: 81.2 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.47 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:22,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 1,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)adjective: Portuguese
Ethnic groups:homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descentwho immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal
Religions:Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)
Languages:Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.3%male: 95.5%female: 91.3% (2003 est.)
Government Portugal
Country name:conventional long form: Portuguese Republicconventional short form: Portugallocal long form: Republica Portuguesalocal short form: Portugal
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Lisbongeographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 Wtime difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomousregions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro,Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra,Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto,Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Independence:1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (independentrepublic proclaimed)
National holiday:Portugal Day (Day of Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also calledCamoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes(1524-80) died
Constitution:25 April 1976; revised many times
Legal system:civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews theconstitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Anibal CAVACO Silva (since 9 March 2006)head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES (since 12 March2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministernote: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultativebody to the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 22 January 2006(next to be held January 2011); following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition isusually appointed prime minister by the presidentelection results: Anibal CAVACO Silva elected president; percent ofvote - Anibal CAVACO Silva 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario SOARES14.3%, Jeronimo de SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3%
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 20 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.1%, PSD 28.7%,CDU 7.6%, PP 7.3%, BE 6.4%; seats by party - PS 121, PSD 75, CDU 14,PP 12, BE 8
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed forlife by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:Green Ecologist Party or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA]; Popular Party orPP [Jose Ribeiro e CASTRO]; Portuguese Communist Party or PCP[Jeronimo de SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATESCarvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [LuisMarques MENDES]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA];Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU (includes PEV and PCP)[Jeronimo de SOUSA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU,ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI (observer), UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves CATARINOchancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), SanFranciscoconsulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred J. HOFFMAN Jr.embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbonmailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; PSC 83, APO AE09726telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)