Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,089,645females age 18-49: 1,093,077 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 41,544females age 18-49: 40,183 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$406 million (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.87% FY05 (2005)
Transnational Issues Slovakia
Disputes - international:Hungary amended its status law extending special social andcultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, to whichSlovakia had protested; consultations continue between Slovakia andHungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of theGabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as amember state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakiamust implement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for WesternEurope; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Slovenia
Introduction Slovenia
Background:The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire untilthe latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, theSlovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinationalstate, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II,Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which thoughCommunist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied withthe exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeededin establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war.Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stabledemocracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modernstate. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of2004.
Geography Slovenia
Location:Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenAustria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates:46 07 N, 14 49 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 20,273 sq kmland: 20,151 sq kmwater: 122 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,382 kmborder countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Hungary 102 km,Italy 280 km
Coastline:46.6 km
Maritime claims:NA
Climate:Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mildto hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to theeast
Terrain:a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain regionadjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys withnumerous rivers to the east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources:lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower,forests
Land use: arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding and earthquakes
Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls someof Europe's major transit routes
People Slovenia
Population:2,010,347 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 13.8% (male 143,079/female 135,050)15-64 years: 70.5% (male 714,393/female 702,950)65 years and over: 15.7% (male 121,280/female 193,595) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 40.6 yearsmale: 39 yearsfemale: 42.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.05% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:8.98 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.33 yearsmale: 72.63 yearsfemale: 80.29 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.25 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:280 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Slovene(s)adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups:Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other orunspecified 12% (2002 census)
Religions:Catholic 57.8%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 2.4%,unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)
Languages:Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%(2002 census)
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6%
Government Slovenia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form: Slovenialocal long form: Republika Slovenijalocal short form: Slovenijaformer: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia
Government type:parliamentary republic
Capital:name: Ljubljanageographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 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:182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urbanmunicipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina )Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke,Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica,Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno,Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca,Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec,Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale,Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, GornjaRadgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina,Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina,Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice,Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*,Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart,Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, LoskaDolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk,Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz naDravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce,Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje,Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica,Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka,Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci,Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne naKoroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, RogaskaSlatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic,Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju,Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*,Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno obPaki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse,Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij,Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic,Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej,Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica,Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica,Zuzemberk, Zrecenote: there may be 45 more municipalities
Independence:25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution:adopted 23 December 1991
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andelected by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 10 November and 1December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007); followingNational Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become primeminister by the president and elected by the National Assembly;election last held 9 November 2004 (next National Assembly electionsto be held October 2008)election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA electedprime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consisting of a National Assembly or DrzavniZbor (90 seats; 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on aproportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected andproportionally elected seats varies with each election; members areelected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the NationalCouncil or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; this is primarily an advisorybody with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws, ask toreview any National Assembly decisions, and call national referenda;members - representing social, economic, professional, and localinterests - are indirectly elected to five-year terms by anelectoral college)elections: National Assembly - last held 3 October 2004 (next to beheld October 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - SDS 29.1%, LDS 22.8%,ZLSD 10.2%, NSi 9%, SLS 6.8%, SNS 6.3%, DeSUS 4.1%, other 11.7%;seats by party - SDS 29, LDS 23, ZLSD 10, NSi 9, SLS 7, SNS 6, DeSUS4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on therecommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court(judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly andnominated by the president)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [KarlERJAVEC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Jelko KACIN]; NewSlovenia or NSi [Andrej BAJUK]; Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS[Janez JANSA]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC];Slovene People's Party or SLS [Janez PODOBNIK]; Slovene Youth Partyor SMS [Darko KRANJC]; Social Democrats or SD [Borut PAHOR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation: ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ZBOGAR chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: Cleveland, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas B. ROBERTSON embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, withthe Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia'shighest peak, in white against a blue background at the center;beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, andabove it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an invertedtriangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts ofCelje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of theflag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy Slovenia
Economy - overview:With its small transition economy and population of approximatelytwo million, Slovenia is a model of economic success and stabilityfor its neighbors in the former Yugoslavia. The country, whichjoined the EU in 2004, has excellent infrastructure, a well-educatedwork force, and an excellent central location. It enjoys a GDP percapita substantially higher than any of the other transitioningeconomies of Central Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia became thefirst transition country to graduate from borrower status to donorpartner at the World Bank. Slovenia plans to adopt the euro by 2007and has met the EU's Maastricht criteria for inflation. Despite itseconomic success, Slovenia faces growing challenges. Much of theeconomy remains in state hands and foreign direct investment (FDI)in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU on a per capita basis.Taxes are relatively high, the labor market is often seen asinflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to morecompetitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. The currentcenter-right government, elected in October 2004, has pledged toaccelerate privatization of a number of large state holdings and isinterested in increasing FDI in Slovenia. In late 2005, thegovernment's new Committee for Economic Reforms was elevated tocabinet-level status. The Committee's program includes plans forlowering the tax burden, privatizing state-controlled firms,improving the flexibility of the labor market, and increasing thegovernment's efficiency.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$43.27 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$35.21 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$21,500 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 36.9% services: 60.3% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 920,000 (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 39.1% services: 56.1% (2004)
Unemployment rate:6.3% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:At-risk-of-poverty rate after social transfers: 10% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 21.4% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:28.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.5% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):24.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $16.02 billionexpenditures: $16.73 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:28.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep,poultry
Industries:ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting;electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric powerequipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate:3.1% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:14.02 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:12.52 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:5.811 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:5.975 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:11.05 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:52,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.1 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2003)
Natural gas - imports:963 million cu m (2002)
Current account balance:$-303 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$18.53 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals,food
Exports - partners:Germany 19.9%, Italy 12.7%, Croatia 9.4%, Austria 8.1%, France 8.1%(2005)
Imports:$19.62 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals,fuels and lubricants, food
Imports - partners:Germany 19.5%, Italy 18.6%, Austria 12%, France 7.2%, Croatia 4.2%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$8.16 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$18.97 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $484 million in committed EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)
Currency (code):tolar (SIT)
Currency code:SIT
Exchange rates:tolars per US dollar - 192.71 (2005), 192.38 (2004), 207.11 (2003),240.25 (2002), 242.75 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Slovenia
Telephones - main lines in use:816,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.759 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: 100% digital (2000)international: country code - 386
Radio broadcast stations:AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:805,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:48 (2001)
Televisions:710,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.si
Internet hosts:61,735 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):11 (2000)
Internet users:1.09 million (2005)
Transportation Slovenia
Airports: 14 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 4 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2006)
Railways:total: 1,229 kmstandard gauge: 1,229 km 1.435-m gauge (504 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 38,400 kmpaved: 38,400 km (including 477 km of expressways) (2003)
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 26 (Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas1, Cyprus 4, Georgia 1, Liberia 2, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 3,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Koper
Military Slovenia
Military branches:Slovenian Army (includes air and naval forces)
Military service age and obligation:17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscriptionabolished in 2003 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 496,929females age 17-49: 483,959 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 405,593females age 17-49: 397,167 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 12,816females age 17-49: 12,178 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$370 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.7% (FY00)
Transnational Issues Slovenia
Disputes - international:the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, whichwould have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Sloveniaand several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute;as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,Slovenia must implement the strict Schengen border rules to curbillegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe whileencouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia
Illicit drugs:minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin boundfor Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Solomon Islands
Introduction Solomon Islands
Background:The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred onthis archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 andindependence two years later. Ethnic violence, governmentmalfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civilsociety. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought theassistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; thefollowing month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived torestore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional AssistanceMission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective inrestoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
Geography Solomon Islands
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of PapuaNew Guinea
Geographic coordinates:8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 28,450 sq kmland: 27,540 sq kmwater: 910 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain:mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use: arable land: 0.62% permanent crops: 2.04% other: 97.34% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region withfrequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefsare dead or dying
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean,the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
People Solomon Islands
Population:552,438 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41.3% (male 116,370/female 111,834)15-64 years: 55.4% (male 154,793/female 151,308)65 years and over: 3.3% (male 8,696/female 9,437) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.9 yearsmale: 18.7 yearsfemale: 19 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.61% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:30.01 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:3.92 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 23.54 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 17.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.91 yearsmale: 70.4 yearsfemale: 75.55 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.91 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: Solomon Islander(s)adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups:Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%,unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)
Religions:Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South SeasEvangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%,Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%,unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)
Languages:Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; Englishis official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the populationnote: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Government Solomon Islands
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Solomon Islandslocal long form: nonelocal short form: Solomon Islandsformer: British Solomon Islands
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Honiarageographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 Etime difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul,Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona,Temotu, Western
Independence:7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:7 July 1978
Legal system:English common law, which is widely disregarded
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 4 May2006); note - Prime Minister Snyder RINI, elected on 18 April 2006and sworn in on 20 April 2006, resigned on 26 April prior to noconfidence vote in parliament; SOGAVARE elected on 4 Maycabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governorgeneral on the advice of the prime minister from among the membersof Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to fiveyears (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majoritycoalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected fromsingle-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-yearterms)elections: last held 5 April 2006 (next to be held in 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 6.9%,SIPRA 6.3%, Democratic 4.9%, PAP 6.3%, LAFARI 2.8%, Liberal 5%,SOCRED 4.3%, independents 60.3%; seats by party - National Party 4,SIPRA 4, Democratic 3, PAP 3, LAFARI 2, Liberal 2, SOCRED 2,independents 30
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:Association of Independent Members or AIM [Thomas CHAN]; ChristianAlliance Solomon Islands or CASI [Edward RONIA]; LAFARI Party [JohnGARO]; National Party [Francis HILLY]; People's Alliance Party orPAP [Sir Allan KEMAKEZA]; Social Credit Party or SOCRED [ManassehDamukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon First Party [David QUAN]; SolomonIslands Democratic Party [Gabriel SURI]; Solomon Islands Labor Partyor SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party [BartholomewULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA[Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA]note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluidcoalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders:Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force (MEF); note -these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in awave of violence from 1999 to 2003
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF,Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECKchancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closedJuly 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to theSolomon Islands
Flag description:divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lowerhoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with fivewhite five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lowertriangle is green
Government - note:June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the interventionof Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament approved therequest for intervention in July 2003; troops from Australia, NZ,Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24 July 2003; by 2006, theRegional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) had beenscaled back to 259 police officers and 20 military, in addition tocivilian technical advisers; in response to rioting that broke outin mid-April 2006, Australia dispatched an addtional 220 troops and70 police officers to help restore order
Economy Solomon Islands
Economy - overview:The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, andforestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufacturedgoods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are richin undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, andgold. Prior to the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to theSolomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closing of keybusinesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economiccollapse. RAMSI has enabled a return to law and order, a new periodof economic stability, and modest growth as the economy rebuilds.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$800 million (2002 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$286 million
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 249,200 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry: 5% services: 20% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.6% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $49.7 millionexpenditures: $75.1 million; including capital expenditures of NA(2003)
Agriculture - products: cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; timber; cattle, pigs; fish
Industries:fish (tuna), mining, timber
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:55 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:51.15 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:1,270 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:$171 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa
Exports - partners:China 40.7%, South Korea 13.2%, Thailand 6.9%, Japan 6.3%,Philippines 4.5%, Italy 4.1% (2005)
Imports:$159 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:Australia 25.8%, Singapore 25.3%, NZ 4.6%, Fiji 4.2%, Papua NewGuinea 4.1% (2005)
Debt - external:$166 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$122 million annually, mainly from Australia (2004 est.)
Currency (code):Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Currency code:SBD
Exchange rates:Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 7.5299 (2005), 7.4847(2004), 7.5059 (2003), 6.7488 (2002), 5.278 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Solomon Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:7,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:6,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004)
Radios:57,000 (1997)
Televisions:3,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sb
Internet hosts:2,658 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:8,400 (2005)
Transportation Solomon Islands
Airports:35 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 23 (2006)
Roadways: total: 1,360 km paved: 34 km unpaved: 1,326 km (1999)
Ports and terminals:Honiara, Malloco Bay, Shortland Harbor, Viru Harbor, Yandina
Military Solomon Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 114,253 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 92,796 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 6,033 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Solomon Islands
Disputes - international:Australian Defense Force leads the Regional Assistance Mission tothe Solomon Islands (RAMSI) at the invitation of the SolomonIslands' Government to maintain civil and political order andreinforce regional security
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Somalia
Introduction Somalia
Background: Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 in order to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule that managed to impose a degree of stability in the country for a couple of decades. After the regime's overthrow early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti, expired in August 2003. A two-year peace process, led by the Government of Kenya under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as Transitional Federal President of Somalia and the formation of a transitional government, known as the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The Somalia TFIs include a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA), a transitional Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed GHEDI, and a 90-member cabinet. The TFIs are currently divided between Mogadishu and Jowhar, but discussions to co-locate the TFIs in one city are ongoing. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further complicates the picture.
Geography Somalia
Location:Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean,east of Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates:10 00 N, 49 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 637,657 sq kmland: 627,337 sq kmwater: 10,320 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries: total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline:3,025 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February),moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; southwestmonsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south,irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) betweenmonsoons
Terrain:mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
Natural resources:uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum,bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.32% (2005)
Irrigated land:2,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains insummer; floods during rainy season
Environment - current issues:famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human healthproblems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note:strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches toBab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
People Somalia
Population:8,863,338note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia iscomplicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movementsin response to famine and clan warfare (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.4% (male 1,973,294/female 1,961,083)15-64 years: 53% (male 2,355,861/female 2,342,988)65 years and over: 2.6% (male 97,307/female 132,805) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 17.6 yearsmale: 17.5 yearsfemale: 17.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.85% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:45.13 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:16.63 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 114.89 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 124.18 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 105.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 48.47 yearsmale: 46.71 yearsfemale: 50.28 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.76 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:43,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever are high risks insome locationswater contact disease: schistosomiasisanimal contact disease: rabies (2005)
Nationality:noun: Somali(s)adjective: Somali
Ethnic groups:Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)
Religions:Sunni Muslim
Languages:Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 37.8%male: 49.7%female: 25.8% (2001 est.)
Government Somalia
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Somalialocal long form: Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeedlocal short form: Soomaaliyaformer: Somali Republic; Somali Democratic Republic
Government type:no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentaryfederal government
Capital:name: Mogadishugeographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 22 Etime difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool,Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe,Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, ShabeellahaHoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence:1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which becameindependent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland,which became independent from the Italian-administered UNtrusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
National holiday:Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June(1960) in Somaliland
Constitution:25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known asthe Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing
Legal system:no national system; Shari'a (Islamic) and secular courts based onSomali customary law (xeer) are present in some localities; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Transitional Federal President Abdullahi YUSUFAhmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a transitional governingentity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional FederalInstitutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIrelocated to Somalia in June 2004, but its members remain dividedbetween Mogadishu and Jowhar inside Somalia, and the governmentcontinues to struggle to establish effective governance in thecountryhead of government: Prime Minister Ali Mohamed GEDI (since 24December 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by theTransitional Federal Assemblyelection results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the former leader of thesemi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia, was elected president bythe Transitional Federal Assembly
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assemblynote: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional FederalAssembly; the new parliament consists of 61 seats assigned to eachof four large clan groups (Darod, Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye)with the remaining 31 seats divided between minority clans
Judicial branch:following the breakdown of the central government, most regionshave reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular,traditional Somali customary law, or Shari'a (Islamic) law with aprovision for appeal of all sentences
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:numerous clan and sub-clan factions are currently vying for power
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), IPU, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8May 1991); note - the TFG and other factions have representatives inWashington and at the United Nations
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests arerepresented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United NationsAvenue, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831;telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157
Flag description:light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; bluefield influenced by the flag of the UN
Government - note:although an interim government was created in 2004, other regionaland local governing bodies continue to exist and control variouscities and regions of the country, including the self-declaredRepublic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, the semi-autonomousState of Puntland in northeastern Somalia, and traditional clan andfaction strongholds
Economy Somalia
Economy - overview:Somalia's economic fortunes are driven by its deep politicaldivisions. The northwestern area has declared its independence asthe "Republic of Somaliland"; the northeastern region of Puntland isa semi-autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion isriddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic lifecontinues, in part because much activity is local and relativelyeasily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, withlivestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% ofexport earnings, but Saudi Arabia's ban on Somali livestock, due toRift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the sector. Nomadsand semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for theirlivelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock,hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports,while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are theprincipal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on theprocessing of agricultural products, has largely been looted andsold as scrap metal. Despite the seeming anarchy, Somalia's servicesector has managed to survive and grow. Telecommunication firmsprovide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowestinternational call rates on the continent. In the absence of aformal banking sector, money exchange services have sproutedthroughout the country, handling between $500 million and $1 billionin remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety ofgoods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue tooperate, and militias provide security. The ongoing civildisturbances and clan rivalries, however, have interfered with anybroad-based economic development and international aid arrangements.Somalia's arrears to the IMF continued to grow in 2005. Statisticson Somalia's GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should beviewed skeptically. In late December 2004, a major tsunami caused anestimated 150 deaths and resulted in destruction of property incoastal areas.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$4.809 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.483 billion
GDP - real growth rate:2.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 3.7 million (very few skilled laborers)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 71% industry and services: 29%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%; note - businesses print their own money, so inflation ratescannot be easily determined
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA
Agriculture - products:bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesameseeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish
Industries:a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles,wireless communication
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:235.6 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:219.1 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:5,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Exports:$241 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal
Exports - partners:UAE 52.6%, Yemen 14.6%, Oman 6.3%, India 4.2% (2005)
Imports:$576 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, constructionmaterials, qat
Imports - partners:Djibouti 30.1%, Kenya 13.7%, Brazil 8.4%, India 8%, Oman 5.3%, UAE5% (2005)
Debt - external:$3 billion (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$60 million (1999 est.)
Currency (code):Somali shilling (SOS)
Currency code:SOS
Exchange rates:Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620(January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995)note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independentcountry not recognized by any foreign government, issues its owncurrency, the Somaliland shilling