Exports - partners:Australia 75.9%, American Samoa 13.6%, US 6.5% (2005)
Imports:$285 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:NZ 31%, Australia 22.6%, US 13.5%, Japan 7.5%, Fiji 6%, China 4.6%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$70.15 million
Debt - external:$177 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$30.8 million (2004)
Currency (code):tala (SAT)
Currency code:SAT (former WST code is still in wide use)
Exchange rates:tala per US dollar - 2.7103 (2005), 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003),3.3763 (2002), 3.478 (2001)
Fiscal year:June 1 - May 31
Communications Samoa
Telephones - main lines in use:13,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:24,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequatedomestic: NAinternational: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:174,849 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:8,634 (1999)
Internet country code:.ws
Internet hosts:10,680 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:6,000 (2004)
Transportation Samoa
Airports:4 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 790 kmpaved: 332 kmunpaved: 458 km (1999)
Merchant marine:total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWTby type: cargo 1foreign-owned: 1 (Germany 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Apia
Military Samoa
Military branches:no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 58,722 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 45,294 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 2,306 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces;informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to considerany Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship
Transnational Issues Samoa
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@San Marino
Introduction San Marino
Background:The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco)also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According totradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marino in301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy.Social and political trends in the republic also track closely withthose of its larger neighbor.
Geography San Marino
Location:Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates:43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 61.2 sq kmland: 61.2 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain:rugged mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertificationsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Geography - note:landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy Seeand Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
People San Marino
Population:29,251 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.8% (male 2,534/female 2,372)15-64 years: 66.2% (male 9,316/female 10,055)65 years and over: 17% (male 2,149/female 2,825) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 40.6 yearsmale: 40.3 yearsfemale: 41 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.26% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.02 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:8.17 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:10.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.09 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 81.71 yearsmale: 78.23 yearsfemale: 85.5 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.34 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: Sammarinese (singular and plural)adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups:Sammarinese, Italian
Religions:Roman Catholic
Languages:Italian
Literacy:definition: age 10 and over can read and writetotal population: 96%male: 97%female: 95% (1976 est.)
Government San Marino
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of San Marinoconventional short form: San Marinolocal long form: Repubblica di San Marinolocal short form: San Marino
Government type:independent republic
Capital:name: San Marinogeographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 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:9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, BorgoMaggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino,Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle
Independence:3 September A.D. 301
National holiday:Founding of the Republic, 3 September (A.D. 301)
Constitution:8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functionsof a constitution
Legal system:based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Cochiefs of State Captain Regent Antonio CARATTONIand Captain Regent Roberto GIORGETTI (for the period 1 October2006-31 March 2007)head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and PoliticalAffairs Fiorenzo STOLFI (since 27 July 2006)cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Councilfor a five-year termelections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Greatand General Council for a six-month term; election last held inSeptember 2006 (next to be held March 2007); secretary of state forforeign and political affairs elected by the Great and GeneralCouncil for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003(next to be held NA)election results: Antonio CARATTONI and Roberto GIORGETTI electedcaptains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Fabio BERARDIelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;percent of legislative vote - NAnote: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefsof state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of theGrand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), whichhas 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council;assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; thesecretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of theprerogatives of a prime minister
Legislative branch:unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale(60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 4 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 32.9%, Party ofSocialists and Democrats 31.9%, APDS 11.9%, United Left 8.7%, NewSocialist Party 5.4%; seats by party - PDCS 21, Party of Socialistsand Democrats 20, APDS 7, United Left 5, New Socialist Party 3,other 4
Judicial branch:Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII
Political parties and leaders:Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM[Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN; New Socialist Party;Party of Socialists and Democrats [Claudio FELICI]; San MarinoChristian Democratic Party or PDCS [Giovanni LONFERNINI]; San MarinoPopular Alliance of Democrats or APDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; SanMarino Socialist Party or PSS [Alberto CECCHETTI]; Socialists forReform or SR [Renzo GIARDI]; United Left
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:San Marino does not have an embassy in the UShonorary consulate(s) general: New York, Washington, DChonorary consulate(s): Detroit, Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US ConsulGeneral in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with thenational coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of armshas a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by awreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS(Liberty)
Economy San Marino
Economy - overview:The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2000 more than 3million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking,wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agriculturalproducts are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output andstandard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperousregions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$940 million (2001 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$880 million
GDP - real growth rate:2.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$34,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force: 19,970 (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 42% services: 57% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:2.6% (2001)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-1.7% (2001)
Budget:revenues: $400 millionexpenditures: $400 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Industries:tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate:6% (1997 est.)
Exports:trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics
Imports:trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Imports - commodities:wide variety of consumer manufactures, food
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
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 San Marino
Telephones - main lines in use:20,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:16,800 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate connectionsdomestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated intoItalian systeminternational: country code - 378; connected to Italianinternational network
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997)
Televisions:9,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sm
Internet hosts:3,140 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:14,300 (2002)
Transportation San Marino
Roadways: total: 104 km paved: 104 km (2003)
Military San Marino
Military branches:no regular military forces; Voluntary Military Force (CorpiMilitari Voluntar) performs ceremonial duties and limited policefunctions (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 6,331 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 5,107 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 135 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$700,000 (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Italy
Transnational Issues San Marino
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Sao Tome and Principe
Introduction Sao Tome and Principe
Background:Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, theislands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form ofwhich lingered into the 20th century. Although independence wasachieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until thelate 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, thepolitical environment has been one of continued instability withfrequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003.The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to havea significant impact on the country's economy.
Geography Sao Tome and Principe
Location:Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling theEquator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates:1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,001 sq kmland: 1,001 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:209 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain:volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005)
Irrigated land:100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of achain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
People Sao Tome and Principe
Population:193,413 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47.5% (male 46,478/female 45,302)15-64 years: 48.8% (male 45,631/female 48,661)65 years and over: 3.8% (male 3,368/female 3,973) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 16.2 yearsmale: 15.6 yearsfemale: 16.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:3.15% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:40.25 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.32 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: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 41.83 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 43.74 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 39.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 67.31 yearsmale: 65.73 yearsfemale: 68.95 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.62 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne disease: malaria (2005)
Nationality:noun: Sao Tomean(s)adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups:mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros(descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers fromAngola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicaisborn on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Religions:Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%,other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Languages:Portuguese (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 79.3%male: 85%female: 62% (1991 est.)
Government Sao Tome and Principe
Country name:conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principeconventional short form: Sao Tome and Principelocal long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principelocal short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Sao Tomegeographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 Etime difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Independence:12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution:approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Legal system:based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September2001)head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since21 April 2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on theproposal of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (nextto be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the NationalAssembly and approved by the presidentelection results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent ofvote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats;members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 26 March 2006 (next to be held March 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, other 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23,MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for ChangeDemocratic Movement or MDFM; Independent Democratic Action or ADI[Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome andPrincipe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto DaCOSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA];Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), IPU, ITU, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 consulate(s): Atlanta
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag description:three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), andgreen with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in thecenter of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on thehoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy Sao Tome and Principe
Economy - overview:This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependenton cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production hassubstantially declined in recent years because of drought andmismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earningsin 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods,consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, ithas had difficulty servicing its external debt and has reliedheavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tomebenefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 underthe Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, and is expectedto benefit from an additional round of HIPC debt relief in early2006, to help bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. InAugust 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF PovertyReduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million.Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry,and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recentyears. The government also has attempted to reduce price controlsand subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development ofpetroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulfof Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split withNigeria. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though adispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt ofmore than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDPgrowth reached 6% in 2004, and also probably in 2005, as a result ofincreases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$214 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$71.38 million
GDP - real growth rate:6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,200 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.7% industry: 14.8% services: 68.4% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 35,050
Labor force - by occupation: note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:54% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):15.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):32.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $26.39 millionexpenditures: $59.48 million; including capital expenditures of $54million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:15 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:13.95 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:650 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:$-20 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$8 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:Netherlands 61.1%, Belgium 9.2%, Turkey 5.5%, South Korea 4% (2005)
Imports:$38 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleumproducts
Imports - partners:UK 94.2%, Portugal 2.7%, US 1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$20 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$318 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
Currency (code):dobra (STD)
Currency code:STD
Exchange rates:dobras per US dollar - 9,900.4 (2005), (2004), 9,347.6 (2003),9,088.3 (2002), 8,842.1 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sao Tome and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:7,000 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:12,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate facilitiesdomestic: minimal systeminternational: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:38,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:23,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.st
Internet hosts:735 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:20,000 (2005)
Transportation Sao Tome and Principe
Airports:2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 320 kmpaved: 218 kmunpaved: 102 km (1999)
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 21,527 GRT/29,823 DWTby type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 7foreign-owned: 3 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Sao Tome
Military Sao Tome and Principe
Military branches:Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard,Presidential Guard (2004)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 33,438females age 18-49: 35,279 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 25,950females age 18-49: 28,660 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$581,729 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.8% (2005 est.)
Military - note:Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost noresources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operatingunilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate andmaintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 yearsin tropical climates; poor pay and conditions have been a problem inthe past, as has alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers, asreflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are beingaddressed with foreign assistance as initial steps towards theimprovement of the army and its focus on realistic securityconcerns; command is exercised from the president, through theMinister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Saudi Arabia
Introduction Saudi Arabia
Background:In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh andset out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. A sonof ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, and the country's Basic Lawstipulates that the throne shall remain in the hands of the agingsons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder. Following Iraq'sinvasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royalfamily and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troopsto deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the followingyear. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil afterOperation Desert Storm remained a source of tension between theroyal family and the public until the US military's near-completewithdrawal to neighboring Qatar in 2003. The first major terroristattacks in Saudi Arabia in several years, which occurred in May andNovember 2003, prompted renewed efforts on the part of the Saudigovernment to counter domestic terrorism and extremism, which alsocoincided with a slight upsurge in media freedom and announcement ofgovernment plans to phase in partial political representation. Aspart of this effort, the government permitted elections - heldnationwide from February through April 2005 - for half the membersof 179 municipal councils. A burgeoning population, aquiferdepletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output andprices are all ongoing governmental concerns.
Geography Saudi Arabia
Location:Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north ofYemen
Geographic coordinates:25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 1,960,582 sq kmland: 1,960,582 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 4,431 kmborder countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:2,640 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified
Climate:harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:16,200 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:frequent sand and dust storms
Environment - current issues:desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lackof perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted thedevelopment of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastalpollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide greatleverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf andSuez Canal
People Saudi Arabia
Population: 27,019,731 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.2% (male 5,261,530/female 5,059,041)15-64 years: 59.4% (male 9,159,519/female 6,895,616)65 years and over: 2.4% (male 342,020/female 302,005) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 21.4 yearsmale: 22.9 yearsfemale: 19.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.18% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:29.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:2.58 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-4.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.33 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.2 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 12.81 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 14.71 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 10.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.67 yearsmale: 73.66 yearsfemale: 77.78 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:4 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.01% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Saudi(s)adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups:Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions:Muslim 100%
Languages:Arabic
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 78.8%male: 84.7%female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
Government Saudi Arabia
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabiaconventional short form: Saudi Arabialocal long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyahlocal short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Government type:monarchy
Capital:name: Riyadhgeographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 Etime difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hududash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, AshSharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran,Tabuk
Independence:23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday:Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution:governed according to Shari'a law; the Basic Law that articulatesthe government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993
Legal system:based on Shari'a law, several secular codes have been introduced;commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:adult male citizens age 21 or oldernote: voter registration began in November 2004 for partialmunicipal council elections held nationwide from February throughApril 2005
Executive branch:chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz AlSaud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN binAbd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-AzizAl Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN binAbd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch andincludes many royal family memberselections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairmanappointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - in October2003, Council of Ministers announced its intent to introduceelections for half of the members of local and provincial assembliesand a third of the members of the national Consultative Council orMajlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years;in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairsinitiated voter registration for partial municipal council electionsheld nationwide from February through April 2005
Judicial branch:Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW,OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador TURKI al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saudchancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James C. OBERWETTER embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description:green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada orMuslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There isno god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a whitehorizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates tothe early twentieth century and is closely associated with the AlSaud family which established the kingdom in 1932
Economy Saudi Arabia
Economy - overview:This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls overmajor economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world'sproven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter ofpetroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sectoraccounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% ofexport earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector.Roughly 5.5 million foreign workers play an important role in theSaudi economy, particularly, in the oil and service sectors. Thegovernment is encouraging private sector growth to lessen thekingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunitiesfor the swelling Saudi population. The government has begun topermit private sector and foreign investor participation in thepower generation and telecom sectors. As part of its effort toattract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabiaacceded to the WTO in 2005 after many years of negotiations. Withhigh oil revenues enabling the government to post large budgetsurpluses, Riyadh has been able to substantially boost spending onjob training and education, infrastructure development, andgovernment salaries.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$346.3 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$264 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$13,100 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 3.3%industry: 61.3%services: 35.4% (2005 est.)
Labor force:6.76 millionnote: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group isnon-national (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 12%industry: 25%services: 63% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:13% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate; some estimatesrange as high as 25%) (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.4% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):16.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $143.7 billionexpenditures: $89.65 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:44.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens,eggs, milk
Industries:crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals;ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement,fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercialaircraft repair, construction
Industrial production growth rate:5.3% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:145.1 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:134.9 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:9.475 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:1.775 million bbl/day (2003)
Oil - exports:7.92 million bbl/day (2003)
Oil - imports:0 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - proved reserves:262.7 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:60.06 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:60.06 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2002)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2002)
Natural gas - proved reserves:6.544 trillion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:$90.73 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products 90%
Exports - partners:US 16.4%, Japan 16.1%, South Korea 9.1%, China 6.9%, Singapore5.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2005)
Imports:$44.93 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles,textiles
Imports - partners:US 13%, Germany 9.5%, Japan 7.9%, China 7.3%, France 4.7%, Italy4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$26.76 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$36.78 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - donor:pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon;since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistanceto the Palestinians; pledged $230 million to development inAfghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loansto Iraq; pledged $133 million in direct grant aid, $187 million inconcessional loans, and $153 million in export credits for Pakistanearthquake relief
Currency (code):Saudi riyal (SAR)
Currency code:SAR
Exchange rates:Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004), 3.75(2003), 3.75 (2002), 3.75 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 March - 28 February
Communications Saudi Arabia
Telephones - main lines in use:3.8 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:13.3 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern systemdomestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, andfiber-optic cable systemsinternational: country code - 966; microwave radio relay to Bahrain,Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable toKuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain;satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 IndianOcean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:6.25 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:117 (1997)
Televisions:5.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:.sa
Internet hosts:10,931 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):22 (2003)
Internet users:2.54 million (2005)
Transportation Saudi Arabia
Airports: 208 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 73over 3,047 m: 322,438 to 3,047 m: 131,524 to 2,437 m: 24914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 135over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 75914 to 1,523 m: 40under 914 m: 12 (2006)
Heliports:6 (2006)
Pipelines:condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil4,531 km; refined products 1,150 km (2006)
Railways:total: 1,392 kmstandard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines andsidings) (2005)
Roadways:total: 152,044 kmpaved: 45,461 kmunpaved: 106,583 km (2000)
Merchant marine:total: 60 ships (1000 GRT or over) 837,272 GRT/1,064,377 DWTby type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 15, container 4, passenger/cargo8, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9foreign-owned: 9 (Egypt 2, Kuwait 5, Sudan 1, UAE 1)registered in other countries: 55 (Bahamas 12, Comoros 3, Dominica3, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 1, Liberia 24, MarshallIslands 1, Norway 3, Panama 8) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah
Military Saudi Arabia
Military branches:Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, NationalGuard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 7,648,999females age 18-49: 5,417,922 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 6,592,709females age 18-49: 4,659,347 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 247,334females age 18-49: 234,500 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$18 billion (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:10% (2002)
Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia
Disputes - international:despite resistance from nomadic groups, the demarcation of theSaudi Arabia-Yemen boundary established under the 2000 Jeddah Treatyis almost complete; Saudi Arabia still maintains the concrete-filledpipe as a security barrier along sections of the border with Yemenin 2004 to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and SaudiArabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran; theUnited Arab Emirate 2006 Yearbook published a map and textrescinding the 1974 boundary with Saudi Arabia, as stipulated in atreaty filed with the UN in 1993, on the grounds that the agreementwas not formally ratified
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 240,000 (Palestinian Territories)(2005)
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country forworkers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected toconditions that constitute involuntary servitude including beingsubjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages,confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on theirmovement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because someare confined to the house in which they work, unable to seek help;Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni,Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children traffickedfor forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; someNigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia forcommercial sexual exploitationtier rating: Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with theminimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is notmaking significant efforts to do so