Disputes - international: together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Sierra Leone
Introduction Sierra Leone
Background:The government is slowly reestablishing its authority after the1991 to 2002 civil war that resulted in tens of thousands of deathsand the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-thirdof the population). The last UN peacekeepers withdrew in December2005, leaving full responsibility for security with domestic forces,but a new civilian UN office remains to support the government.Mounting tensions related to planned 2007 elections, deterioratingpolitical and economic conditions in Guinea, and the tenuoussecurity situation in neighboring Liberia may present challenges tocontinuing progress in Sierra Leone's stability.
Geography Sierra Leone
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guineaand Liberia
Geographic coordinates:8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 71,740 sq kmland: 71,620 sq kmwater: 120 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winterdry season (December to April)
Terrain:coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, uplandplateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources:diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use: arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005)
Irrigated land:300 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December toFebruary); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment - current issues:rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvestingof timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burnagriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion;civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year,making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
People Sierra Leone
Population:6,005,250 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,321,563/female 1,370,721)15-64 years: 52% (male 1,494,502/female 1,625,733)65 years and over: 3.2% (male 90,958/female 101,773) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 17.4 yearsmale: 17.1 yearsfemale: 17.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.3% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:45.76 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:23.03 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 populationnote: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowlyreturning (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 160.39 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 177.47 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 142.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 40.22 yearsmale: 38.05 yearsfemale: 42.46 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.08 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:7% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:170,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:11,000 (2001 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,hepatitis A, and typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks insome locationswater contact disease: schistosomiasisaerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2005)
Nationality:noun: Sierra Leonean(s)adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic groups:20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%),Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who weresettled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugeesfrom Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans,Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians
Religions:Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages:English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende(principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular inthe north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants offreed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, alingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population butunderstood by 95%)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende,Temne, or Arabictotal population: 29.6%male: 39.8%female: 20.5% (2000 est.)
Government Sierra Leone
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leoneconventional short form: Sierra Leonelocal long form: Republic of Sierra Leonelocal short form: Sierra Leone
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:name: Freetowngeographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 Wtime difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence:27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Legal system:based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996,reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both thechief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with theapproval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsibleto the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 14 May 2002 (nextto be held 28 July 2007)election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent ofvote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; membersserve five-year terms)elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:All People's Congress or APC [Ben KANU]; Peace and Liberation Partyor PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; Sierra LeonePeople's Party or SLPP [Sama BANYA]; numerous others
Political pressure groups and leaders:trade unions and student unions
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARAchancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas N. HULL embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and lightblue
Economy Sierra Leone
Economy - overview:Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendousinequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantialmineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its economic andsocial infrastructure is not well developed, and serious socialdisorders continue to hamper economic development. About two-thirdsof the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture.Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials andof light manufacturing for the domestic market. Alluvial diamondmining remains the major source of hard currency earnings,accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate ofthe economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and thecontinued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essentialto offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement governmentrevenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and GrowthFacility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduceinflation. A recent increase in political stability has led to arevival of economic activity, such as the rehabilitation of bauxitemining.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$4.939 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$1.128 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:68% (1989 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.6% (1989)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:62.9 (1989)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $96 millionexpenditures: $351 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry,cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Industries:diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles,cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial shiprepair
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:260.6 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:242.4 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0.8361 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:6,510 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:$185 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
Exports - partners:Belgium 66.2%, Germany 13.5%, US 4.6% (2005)
Imports:$531 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals
Imports - partners:Germany 18.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.2%, UK 8.5%, US 6.9%, China 5.6%,Netherlands 5.4%, South Africa 4.1% (2005)
Debt - external:$1.61 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$297.4 million (2003 est.)
Currency (code):leone (SLL)
Currency code:SLL
Exchange rates:leones per US dollar - 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9(2003), 2,099 (2002), 1,986.2 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sierra Leone
Telephones - main lines in use:24,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:113,200 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph servicedomestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connectsFreetown to Bo and Kenemainternational: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)
Radios:1.12 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (1999)
Televisions:53,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sl
Internet hosts:20 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2001)
Internet users:10,000 (2005)
Transportation Sierra Leone
Airports: 10 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 9914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Roadways: total: 11,300 km paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)
Waterways:800 km (600 km year round) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 54 ships (1000 GRT or over) 185,037 GRT/249,996 DWTby type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 36, chemical tanker 3, combinationore/oil 3, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1,passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2foreign-owned: 14 (China 2, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Russia 1, Syria 1,UAE 3, Ukraine 4, US 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands
Military Sierra Leone
Military branches:Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes AirWing, Maritime Wing)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,086,091 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 539,697 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$14.25 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.7% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Sierra Leone
Disputes - international:domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups, warlords, and youthgangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone perpetuateinsurgencies, street violence, looting, arms trafficking, ethnicconflicts, and refugees in border areas; UN Mission in Sierra Leone(UNAMSIL) has maintained over 4,000 peacekeepers in Sierra Leonesince 1999; Sierra Leone pressures Guinea to remove its forces fromthe town of Yenga occupied since 1998
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 65,433 (Liberia) (2005)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Singapore
Introduction Singapore
Background:Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. Itjoined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two yearslater and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one ofthe world's most prosperous countries with strong internationaltrading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms oftonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of theleading nations of Western Europe.
Geography Singapore
Location:Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 692.7 sq kmland: 682.7 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:193 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, asdefined in treaties and practice
Climate:tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons -Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon(June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and earlyevening thunderstorms
Terrain:lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchmentarea and nature preserve
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 mhighest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources:fish, deepwater ports
Land use:arable land: 1.47%permanent crops: 1.47%other: 97.06% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources;limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonalsmoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People Singapore
Population:4,492,150 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.6% (male 362,329/female 337,964)15-64 years: 76.1% (male 1,666,709/female 1,750,736)65 years and over: 8.3% (male 165,823/female 208,589) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 37.3 yearsmale: 36.9 yearsfemale: 37.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.42% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:9.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 2.29 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 2.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 81.71 yearsmale: 79.13 yearsfemale: 84.49 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.06 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:4,100 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Singaporean(s)adjective: Singapore
Ethnic groups:Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%,other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)
Languages:Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other0.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.5%male: 96.6%female: 88.6% (2002)
Government Singapore
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Singaporeconventional short form: Singaporelocal long form: Republic of Singaporelocal short form: Singapore
Government type:parliamentary republic
Capital:name: Singaporegeographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 Etime difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none
Independence:9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National holiday:National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution:3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on preindependence State ofSingapore Constitution)
Legal system:based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President S. R. NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)note: uses S. R. NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formalcommunications is Sellapan RAMANATHANhead of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August2004); Deputy Prime Minister Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August2004); Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005);Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); MinisterMentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004)cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; lastappointed 17 August 2005 - see note (next election to be held byAugust 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majorityparty or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed primeminister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by presidentelection results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN appointed presidentin August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualifiedthree other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote toserve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to ninenominated members; the losing opposition candidate who came closestto winning a seat may be appointed as a "nonconstituency" memberelections: last held 6 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%,SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with theadvice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by thepresident with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; SingaporeDemocratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore DemocraticParty or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM SweeLian]note: SDA includes National Solidarity Party or NSP, SingaporeJustice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS,Singapore People's Party or SPP
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU,WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia L. HERBOLD embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoistside of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closedportion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five whitefive-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy Singapore
Economy - overview:Singapore, a highly-developed and successful free-market economy,enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stableprices, and a per capita GDP equal to that of the four largest WestEuropean countries. The economy depends heavily on exports,particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in2001-03 by the global recession, by the slump in the technologysector, and by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS) in 2003, which curbed tourism and consumer spending. Thegovernment hopes to establish a new growth path that will be lessvulnerable to the external business cycle and will continue effortsto establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-techhub. Fiscal stimulus, low interest rates, a surge in exports, andinternal flexibility led to vigorous growth in 2004, with real GDPrising by 8% - by far the economy's best performance since 2000 -but growth slowed to 5.7% in 2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$126.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$110.6 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$28,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 33.9% services: 66.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.28 million (September 2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 18%, construction 6%, transportation and communication 11%, financial, business, and other services 39%, other 26% (2003)
Unemployment rate:3.1% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:42.5 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.4% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $18.67 billionexpenditures: $18.21 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.1billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:102.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish,ornamental fish
Industries:electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment,petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processedfood and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction,life sciences, entrepot trade
Industrial production growth rate:9.5% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:36.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:33.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:8,290 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:800,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:5.32 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 2.5 billion cu m note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$32.74 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$204.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods,chemicals, mineral fuels
Exports - partners:Malaysia 14.7%, US 11.5%, Indonesia 10.7%, Hong Kong 10.4%, China9.5%, Japan 6%, Thailand 4.5%, Australia 4.1% (2005)
Imports:$188.3 billion (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Malaysia 14.4%, US 12.4%, China 10.8%, Japan 10.1%, Indonesia 5.5%,Saudi Arabia 4.7%, South Korea 4.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$115.8 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$23.76 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):Singapore dollar (SGD)
Currency code:SGD
Exchange rates:Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004),1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Singapore
Telephones - main lines in use:1.848 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4.385 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent servicedomestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wirelessservice in February 2005international: country code - 65; 9 submarine cables provide directconnection to more than 100 countries; 4 satellite earth stations,supplemented by VSAT coverage
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 17, shortwave 2 (2003)
Radios:2.6 million (2000)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (broadcasting on six channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia; note - digital TV for reception in public spaces and transportation is transmitted from 10 sites (2006)
Televisions:1.33 million (1997)
Internet country code:.sg
Internet hosts:898,762 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):9 (2000)
Internet users:2,421,800 (2005)
Transportation Singapore
Airports: 9 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 139 km; refined products 8 km (2006)
Roadways: total: 3,234 km paved: 3,234 km (including 150 km of expressways) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 1,063 ships (1000 GRT or over) 31,033,735 GRT/49,715,650 DWTby type: bulk carrier 155, cargo 87, chemical tanker 136, container214, liquefied gas 53, livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1,petroleum tanker 353, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 2,specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 40foreign-owned: 592 (Australia 7, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 12, China 23,Denmark 52, Germany 9, Greece 9, Hong Kong 50, India 5, Indonesia56, Italy 2, Japan 100, South Korea 17, Malaysia 35, Netherlands 2,Norway 90, Philippines 5, Slovenia 1, Sweden 12, Taiwan 59, Thailand22, UAE 7, UK 9, US 7)registered in other countries: 285 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas12, Belize 6, Bolivia 3, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Cyprus 1,Dominica 9, France 2, Honduras 11, Hong Kong 24, Indonesia 17, Isleof Man 7, North Korea 1, Liberia 28, Malaysia 44, Marshall Islands6, Mongolia 10, Nigeria 1, Panama 67, Saint Vincent and theGrenadines 5, Thailand 6, Tuvalu 6, US 2, unknown 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Singapore
Military Singapore
Military branches:Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force(includes Air Defense) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation reduced to 24 months beginning December 2004 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,215,568 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 982,368 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4.47 billion (FY01 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.9% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Singapore
Disputes - international:disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water toSingapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridgeconstruction, maritime boundaries, and Pedra Branca Island/PulauBatu Putih - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island disputewithin three years; Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005 tofinalize their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by definingunresolved areas north of Batam Island; piracy remains a problem inthe Malacca Strait
Illicit drugs:as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore isvulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue formoney laundering
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Slovakia
Introduction Slovakia
Background:The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close ofWorld War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechsto form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II,Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled EasternEurope. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia oncemore became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separatepeacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EUin the spring of 2004.
Geography Slovakia
Location:Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates:48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 48,845 sq kmland: 48,800 sq kmwater: 45 sq km
Area - comparative:about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:total: 1,524 kmborder countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands inthe south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Bodrok River 94 mhighest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources:brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper andmanganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use: arable land: 29.23% permanent crops: 2.67% other: 68.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,830 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human healthrisks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; theTatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakesand valleys
People Slovakia
Population:5,439,448 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.7% (male 465,304/female 443,967)15-64 years: 71.3% (male 1,929,448/female 1,947,735)65 years and over: 12% (male 244,609/female 408,385) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 35.8 yearsmale: 34.2 yearsfemale: 37.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.15% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.65 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.3 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.48 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.73 yearsmale: 70.76 yearsfemale: 78.89 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.33 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 200 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Slovak(s)adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups:Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%,other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, otheror unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Languages:Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%,other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.6%male: 99.7%female: 99.6% (2001 est.)
Government Slovakia
Country name:conventional long form: Slovak Republicconventional short form: Slovakialocal long form: Slovenska Republikalocal short form: Slovensko
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Bratislavageographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 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:8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky,Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Independence:1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic andSlovakia)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution:ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed inSeptember 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amendedFebruary 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legal system:civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; legal code modifiedto comply with the obligations of Organization on Security andCooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legaltheory
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 July 2006);Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan CAPLOVIC, Robert KALINAK, StefanHARABIN, Jan MIKOLAJ (since 4 July 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-yearterm (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 April and 17April 2004 (next to be held April 2009); following National Councilelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of amajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by thepresidentelection results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna RadaSlovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis ofproportional representation to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 17 June 2006 (next to be held 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 29.1%, SDKU 18.4%,SNS 11.7%, SMK 11.7%, LS-HZDS 8.8%, KDH 8.3%; seats by party - Smer50, SDKU 31, SNS 20, SMK 20, LS-HZDS 15, KDH 14
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council);Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group ofnominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judgeselected by a council of judges and appointed by president)
Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY];Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Free Forum[Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Movement for Democracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA];People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS[Vladimir MECIAR]; New Citizens Alliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Partyof the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR]; People's Union or LU[Gustav KRAJCI]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Vladimir DADO];Slovak Democratic and Christian Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA];Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic;Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of TradeUnions or KOZ
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI,CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN SecurityCouncil (temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO,UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACERchancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Rodolphe "Skip" M. VALLEEembassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislavatelephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338FAX: [421] (2) 5443-0096
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and redsuperimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a redshield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorrainesurmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centeredvertically and offset slightly to the hoist side
Economy Slovakia
Economy - overview:Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from acentrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDAgovernment made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomicstabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearlycomplete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands,and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boomwith business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalizationand a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive sector hasbeen strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in2001-05, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at anunacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 16.4% in 2005, but remainsthe economy's Achilles heel. Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$88.78 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$43.07 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$16,300 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 29.4% services: 67.2% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.24 million (30 September 2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.8%, industry 29.3%, construction 9%, services 55.9% (2003)
Unemployment rate:16.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:At-risk-of-poverty rate after social transfers: 21%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 20.9% (1992)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25.8 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):26% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $22.7 billionexpenditures: $23.2 billion (2005 est.)
Public debt:42.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry;forest products
Industries:metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas,coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery;paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles;textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate:3.8% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:30.57 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% nuclear: 53.6% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:24.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:10.59 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:8.731 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:11,480 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:74,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:2,160 bbl/day NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:59,000 bbl/day bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:9 million bbl (1 January 2006)
Natural gas - production:165 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:1 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:7.3 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:15.01 billion cu m (1 January 2003)
Current account balance:$-4.066 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$30.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, basemetals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4% (2004)
Exports - partners:Germany 26.2%, Czech Republic 14.1%, Austria 7.1%, Italy 6.7%,Poland 6.3%, Hungary 5.7% (2005)
Imports:$32.9 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufacturedgoods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufacturedgoods 10.2% (2003)
Imports - partners:Germany 25.1%, Czech Republic 19.3%, Russia 10.5%, Austria 6.1%,Poland 4.7%, Hungary 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$14.97 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$26.94 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$1.9 billion in committed EU structural adjustment and cohesionfunds (2004-06)
Currency (code):Slovak koruna (SKK)
Currency code:SKK
Exchange rates:koruny per US dollar - 31.018 (2005), 32.257 (2004), 36.773 (2003),45.327 (2002), 48.355 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Slovakia
Telephones - main lines in use:1.197 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4.54 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: a modernization and privatization program isincreasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waitingtime for new subscribers, and generally improving service qualitydomestic: predominantly an analog system that is now receivingdigital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable,especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has beenaddedinternational: country code - 421; three international exchanges(one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available;Slovakia is participating in several internationaltelecommunications projects that will increase the availability ofexternal services
Radio broadcast stations:AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:3.12 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:6 national broadcasting, 7 regional, 67 local (2004)
Televisions:2.62 million (1997)
Internet country code:.sk
Internet hosts:210,758 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:2.5 million (2005)
Transportation Slovakia
Airports: 36 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 8 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 8 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2006)
Railways:total: 3,662 kmbroad gauge: 100 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 3,512 km 1.435-m gauge (1,588 km electrified)narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2005)
Roadways:total: 42,993 kmpaved: 37,533 km (including 316 km of expressways)unpaved: 5,460 km (2003)
Waterways:172 km (on Danube River) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 43 ships (1000 GRT or over) 217,819 GRT/309,049 DWTby type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 36, chemical tanker 1foreign-owned: 40 (Bulgaria 7, Estonia 1, Greece 4, Israel 7, Poland2, Syria 2, Turkey 8, UK 1, Ukraine 8)registered in other countries: 2 (Cyprus 1, Georgia 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Bratislava, Komarno
Military Slovakia
Military branches:Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily SlovenskejRepubliky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily),Training and Support Forces (Vycviku a Podpory Sily) (2005)
Military service age and obligation: complete transition to an all-volunteer professional force went into effect at the beginning of 2006 after 140 years of mandatory army service; volunteers include women, with minimum age of 17 years (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,351,848females age 18-49: 1,322,647 (2005 est.)