Death rate:8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-5.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.17 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 22.47 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71.84 yearsmale: 68.25 yearsfemale: 76.02 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.33 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,600 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Armenian(s)adjective: Armenian
Ethnic groups:Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001census)
Religions:Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheistwith elements of nature worship) 1.3%
Languages:Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98.6%male: 99.4%female: 98% (2003 est.)
Government Armenia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Armeniaconventional short form: Armenialocal long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yunlocal short form: Hayastanformer: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Yerevangeographic coordinates: 40 11 N, 44 30 Etime difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat,Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush,Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
Independence:21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
Constitution:adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adoptedthrough a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARGARYAN (since 12 May2000)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February and 5March 2003 (next to be held in 2008); prime minister appointed bythe president and confirmed with the majority support of theNational Assembly; the prime minister and Council of Ministers mustresign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their programelection results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent ofvote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 90members elected by party list, 41 by direct vote)elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of2007)election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%,Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, NationalUnity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by faction -Republican Party 39, Rule of Law 20, Justice Bloc 14, ARF (Dashnak)11, National Unity 7, United Labor 6, People's Deputy Group 16,independent (not in faction or group) 18; note - as of 10 March2006; voting blocs in the legislature are more properly termedfactions and can be composed of members of several parties; seats byfaction change frequently as deputies switch parties or announcethemselves independent
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)
Political parties and leaders:Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALYAN]; Armenia Party [MyasnikMALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN,chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [HarutyunMIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Levon MKRTCHYAN]; Democratic Party [AramSARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party,National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, the People'sParty, and the Republic Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; NationalDemocratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union orNDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Revival Party [Albert BAZEYAN];National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN, chairman]; People's Partyof Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN,chairman]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARGARYAN]; Rule of LawParty [Samvel BALASANYAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [HrantKHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS(observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIANchancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Anthony F.GODFREYembassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 375082mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State,7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020telephone: [374](10) 464-700FAX: [374](10) 464-742
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Economy Armenia
Economy - overview:Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developeda modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, andother manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for rawmaterials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from thelarge agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agriculturalsector has long-term needs for more investment and updatedtechnology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace,but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration.Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold,bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over theethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakupof the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Unioncontributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitiousIMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted inpositive growth rates in 1995-2005. Armenia joined the WTO inJanuary 2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilizeits currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sizedenterprises. Armenia's unemployment rate, however, remains high,despite strong economic growth. The chronic energy shortages Armeniasuffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energysupplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia isnow a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficientgenerating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is underinternational pressure to close. The electricity distribution systemwas privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has beenoffset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armeniansworking abroad, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties withRussia remain close, especially in the energy sector. The governmentmade some improvements in tax and customs administration in 2005,but anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement.Investment in the construction and industrial sectors is expected tocontinue in 2006 and will help to ensure annual average real GDPgrowth of about 13.9%.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$14.45 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$4.868 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:13.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$4,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.9% industry: 34.3% services: 41.8% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 1.2 million (2005)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 45% industry: 25% services: 30% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:31.6% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:43% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.3% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:41.3 (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.6% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $786.1 millionexpenditures: $930.7 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
Industries:diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressingmachines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silkfabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelrymanufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy
Industrial production growth rate:7.5% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:6.317 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% nuclear: 30.7% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption: 4.374 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports: 650 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2003)
Electricity - imports:463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - consumption:40,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.685 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.685 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Current account balance:$-118 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$800 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy
Exports - partners:Germany 15.6%, Netherlands 13.7%, Belgium 12.8%, Russia 12.2%,Israel 11.5%, US 11.2%, Georgia 4.8% (2005)
Imports:$1.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds
Imports - partners:Russia 13.5%, Belgium 8%, Germany 7.9%, Ukraine 7%, Turkmenistan6.3%, US 6.2%, Israel 5.8%, Iran 5%, Romania 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$754.9 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$1.819 billion (20 September 2005)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $254 million (2004)
Currency (code):dram (AMD)
Currency code:AMD
Exchange rates:drams per US dollar - 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004), 578.76 (2003),573.35 (2002), 555.08 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Armenia
Telephones - main lines in use:582,500 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:320,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned andundergoing modernization and expansiondomestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipmentare in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service)international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to theTrans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additionalinternational service is available by microwave radio relay andlandline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth ofIndependent States and through the Moscow international switch andby satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3(2005)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:850,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters) (1998)
Televisions:825,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.am
Internet hosts:8,163 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):9 (2001)
Internet users:150,000 (2005)
Transportation Armenia
Airports: 13 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 2,002 km (2006)
Railways:total: 845 kmbroad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (828 km electrified)note: some lines are out of service (2005)
Roadways: total: 7,633 km paved: 7,633 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2003)
Military Armenia
Military branches:Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force(NKSDF), Air Force, Air Defense Force (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 18 to 27 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 722,836females age 18-49: 795,084 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 551,938females age 18-49: 656,493 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 31,774females age 18-49: 31,182 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$135 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:6.5% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Armenia
Disputes - international:Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakhand since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnicAzerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijaninto Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia toconnect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed overNagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti regionof Georgia seek greater autonomy; tens of thousands of Armeniansemigrate, primarily to Russia, to seek employment
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 235,101 (Azerbaijan)IDPs: 50,000 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Armenia is a major source and, to a lesserextent, a transit and destination country for women and girlstrafficked for sexual exploitation largely to the UAE and Turkey;traffickers, many of them women, route victims directly into Dubaior through Moscow; profits derived from the trafficking of Armenianvictims reportedly increased dramatically from 2005tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Armenia has failed to show evidenceof increasing efforts, particularly in the areas of enforcement,trafficking-related corruption, and victim protection; thegovernment increased implementation of its anti-trafficking law, butfailed to impose significant penalties for convicted traffickers andfailed to vigorously investigate and prosecute ongoing andwidespread allegations of public officials' complicity intrafficking; victim protection efforts remain in early, formativestages and a lack of sensitivity for victims remains a problem,particularly in the judiciary
Illicit drugs:illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domesticconsumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opiumand hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesserextent the rest of Europe
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Aruba
Introduction Aruba
Background:Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by theDutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three mainindustries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperitybrought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The lastdecades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry.Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became aseparate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in1990.
Geography Aruba
Location:Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 193 sq kmland: 193 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:68.5 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources:NEGL; white sandy beaches
Land use: arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005)
Irrigated land:0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; itstropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from theAtlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
People Aruba
Population:71,891 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.5% (male 7,175/female 6,849)15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,894/female 25,140)65 years and over: 12.3% (male 3,616/female 5,217) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 38.5 yearsmale: 36.4 yearsfemale: 40.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.44% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:11.03 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.68 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: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.79 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.28 yearsmale: 75.95 yearsfemale: 82.78 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.79 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: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Ethnic groups:mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Religions:Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Languages:Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Englishdialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Aruba
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba
Dependency status:member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy ininternal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from theNetherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense andforeign affairs
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Oranjestadgeographic coordinates: 12 33 N, 70 06 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution:1 January 1986
Legal system:based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common lawinfluence
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May2004)head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30October 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Statenelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed fora six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy primeminister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election lastheld 2005 (next to be held by 2009)election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percentof legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected bydirect, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held by in 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8,MPA 1, RED 1
Judicial branch:Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by themonarch)
Political parties and leaders:Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; ArubanLiberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban PatrioticMovement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA[Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People'sElectoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracyor PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platformor PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO, WToO(associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General toNetherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Flag description:blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lowerportion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upperhoist-side corner
Economy Aruba
Economy - overview:Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, withoffshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. Therapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resultedin a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 milliontourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US.Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refineryin 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings,has further spurred growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded stronglyfollowing a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The islandexperiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean.The newly re-elected government has made cutting the budget andtrade deficits a high priority.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.258 billion
GDP - real growth rate:2.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$21,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% NA% industry: 33.3% NA% services: 66.3% NA%
Labor force: 41,500 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Unemployment rate:6.9% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.4% (2005)
Budget:revenues: $507.9 millionexpenditures: $577.9 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2000)
Public debt:46.3% of GDP
Agriculture - products:aloes; livestock; fish
Industries:tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:770 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:716.1 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:2,363 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - consumption:6,500 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.)
Exports:$80 million f.o.b.; note - includes oil reexports (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machineryand electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners:Netherlands 33.5%, Panama 16.7%, Colombia 11.9%, US 11.3%,Venezuela 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 9% (2005)
Imports:$875 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining andreexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:US 55.9%, Netherlands 12.9%, UK 3.8% (2005)
Debt - external:$478.6 million (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$-11.3 million (2004)
Currency (code):Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Currency code:AWG
Exchange rates:Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004),1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Aruba
Telephones - main lines in use:37,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:98,400 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications systemdomestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wirelessservice providers are now licensedinternational: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten(Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relaylinks
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:50,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:20,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.aw
Internet hosts:11,548 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:24,000 (2002)
Transportation Aruba
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 800 km paved: 513 km unpaved: 287 km
Ports and terminals:Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Military Aruba
Military branches:no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Netherlands Navy andMarines, Coast Guard
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 16,278 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 13,219 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 520 (2005 est.)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Transnational Issues Aruba
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with someaccompanying money-laundering activity
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Introduction Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Background:These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931;formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports arich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became aNational Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, isnow a marine reserve.
Geography Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Location:Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway betweennorthwestern Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates:12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 5 sq kmland: 5 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) andCartier Island
Area - comparative:about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:74.1 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical
Terrain:low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land:0 sq km
Natural hazards:surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
People Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon andfresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2006 est.)
People - note:the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island hasbecome an ongoing problem
Government Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islandsconventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status:territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Departmentof Transport and Regional Services
Legal system:the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of theNorthern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:the flag of Australia is used
Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
Military Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by theRoyal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Transnational Issues Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Disputes - international:Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef;Australia has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesiantraditional fishing and created a national park in the region whilecontinuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Atlantic Ocean
Introduction Atlantic Ocean
Background:The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans(after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, SouthernOcean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund(Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar(Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) areimportant strategic access waterways. The decision by theInternational Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 todelimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portionof the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude.
Geography Atlantic Ocean
Location:body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and theWestern Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:0 00 N, 25 00 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 76.762 million sq kmnote: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, LabradorSea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of theScotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:111,866 km
Climate:tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa nearCape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes canoccur from May to December, but are most frequent from August toNovember
Terrain:surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, DenmarkStrait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June;clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) inthe northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in thesouthern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-AtlanticRidge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sandand gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,precious stones
Natural hazards:icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and thenorthwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have beenspotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; shipssubject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic fromOctober to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May toSeptember; hurricanes (May to December)
Environment - current issues:endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions,turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline offish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipalsludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and easternArgentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, LakeMaracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste andmunicipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, andMediterranean Sea
Geography - note:major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar,access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include theStrait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound(Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the AtlanticOcean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Economy Atlantic Ocean
Economy - overview:The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavilytrafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and WesternHemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation ofnatural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (TheBahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (CaribbeanSea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Transportation Atlantic Ocean
Ports and terminals:Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona(Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon(Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland),Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands,Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille(France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy),New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway),Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam(Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Transportation - note:Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways;significant domestic commercial and recreational use of IntracoastalWaterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexicocoast of US
Transnational Issues Atlantic Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Australia
Introduction Australia
Background:Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asiaabout 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration inthe 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770,when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain.Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; theyfederated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The newcountry took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly developagricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a majorcontribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recentdecades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationallycompetitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD'sfastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due inlarge part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-termconcerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozonelayer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especiallythe Great Barrier Reef.
Geography Australia
Location:Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South PacificOcean
Geographic coordinates:27 00 S, 133 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 7,686,850 sq kmland: 7,617,930 sq kmwater: 68,920 sq kmnote: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:25,760 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropicalin north
Terrain:mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 mhighest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Natural resources:bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium,nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas,petroleum
Land use:arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares ofcultivated grassland)permanent crops: 0.04%other: 93.81% (2005)
Irrigated land:25,450 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Environment - current issues:soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising dueto the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing foragricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many uniqueanimal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeastcoast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened byincreased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limitednatural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine LivingResources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; populationconcentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; theinvigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor"affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the mostconsistent winds in the world
People Australia
Population:20,264,082 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.6% (male 2,031,313/female 1,936,802)15-64 years: 67.3% (male 6,881,863/female 6,764,709)65 years and over: 13.1% (male 1,170,589/female 1,478,806) (2006est.)
Median age: total: 36.9 years male: 36 years female: 37.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.85% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:12.14 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.51 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:3.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 80.5 yearsmale: 77.64 yearsfemale: 83.52 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.76 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:14,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Australian(s)adjective: Australian
Ethnic groups:Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions:Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001Census)
Languages:English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified5.8% (2001 Census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Australia
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australiaconventional short form: Australia
Government type:federal parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Canberrageographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 08 Etime difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends lastSunday in March (ended first Sunday in April 2006)note: Australia is divided into three time zones
Administrative divisions:6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, NewSouth Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia,Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas:Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands,Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island
Independence:1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday:Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system:based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) MichaelJEFFERY (since 11 August 2003)head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister Mark VAILE (since 6 July 2005)cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament,candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general toserve as government ministerselections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the primeminister; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in asprime minister by the governor generalnote: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party
Legislative branch:bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainlandterritories; one-half of state members are elected every three yearsby popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory membersare elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150seats; members elected by popular preferential voting to serve termsof up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives)elections: Senate - last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held nolater than June 2008); House of Representatives - last held 9October 2004 (next to be called no later than November 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 39, Australian LaborParty 28, Democrats 4, Australian Greens 4, Family First Party 1;House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 87, Australian LaborParty 60, independents 3
Judicial branch:High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointedby the governor general)
Political parties and leaders:Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN];Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party [JodeenCARNEY]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [JohnWinston HOWARD]; The Nationals [Mark VAILE]
International organization participation:ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group,BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, ParisClub, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS,UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSONchancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, NewYork, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. McCALLUM, Jr.embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian CapitalTerritory 2600mailing address: APO AP 96549telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Flag description:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and alarge seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known asthe Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation ofthe colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point foreach of the six original states and one representing all ofAustralia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is arepresentation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with onesmall five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Economy Australia
Economy - overview:Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy with aper capita GDP on par with the four dominant West Europeaneconomies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust businessand consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw materials andagricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasison reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other keyfactors behind the economy's strength. The impact of drought, weakforeign demand, and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit upfrom $8 billion in 2002, to $18 billion in 2003, $13 billion in2004, and nearly $17 billion in 2005. Housing prices probably peakedin 2005, diminishing the prospect that interest rates would beraised to prevent a speculative bubble. Conservative fiscal policieshave kept Australia's budget in surplus from 2002 to 2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$635.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$612.8 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$31,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 26.2% services: 70% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 10.42 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.2% services: 75.2% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:5.1% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 2%highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:35.2 (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):25.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $249.8 billionexpenditures: $240.2 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:16.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry