Death rate:8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.12 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.35 yearsmale: 75.91 yearsfemale: 82.8 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.17 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: Faroese (singular and plural)adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:Scandinavian
Religions:Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: probably 100%, the same as Denmark proper
Government Faroe Islands
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Faroe Islandslocal long form: nonelocal short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Torshavngeographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 Wtime difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark); there are no first-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare 34 municipalities
Independence:none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Constitution:5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:Danish
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chiefadministrative officer (since 1 November 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3February 2004)cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percentof parliamentary vote - NA
Legislative branch:unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members areelected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the sevenconstituencies to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later thanJanuary 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%,Social Democratic Party 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People'sParty 20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats byparty - Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 7, Republican Party8, People's Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last heldon 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); results -percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1,People's Party 1
Judicial branch:none
Political parties and leaders:Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P.HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party[Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; UnionParty [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges ofthe flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoistside in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostlyas a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable exportprices. Unemployment is minimal and there are signs of laborshortages in several sectors. The positive economic development hashelped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budgetsurpluses, which in turn have helped reduce the large public debt,most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishingmakes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the presentfishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level offishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area givehope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which mayeventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thuslessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by asubstantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, theFaroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and otherScandinavians.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1 billion (2001 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:10% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$31,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999)
Labor force: 24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 33% industry: 33% services: 34%
Unemployment rate:1% (October 2000)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.1% (1999)
Budget:revenues: $488 millionexpenditures: $484 million; including capital expenditures of $21million (1999)
Agriculture - products:milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment,handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:8% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production:292.6 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:272.1 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:4,550 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Exports:$533 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners:Denmark 38%, UK 29.4%, Nigeria 8.9%, Norway 6.1%, Netherlands 4.3%(2005)
Imports:$639 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%,machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)
Imports - partners:Denmark 47.4%, Norway 18.7%, Germany 8.4%, Spain 7.8%, Iceland 4.9%(2005)
Debt - external:$64 million (1999)
Economic aid - recipient:$135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1998)
Currency (code):Danish krone (DKK)
Currency code:DKK
Exchange rates:Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.93667 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911(2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:23,800 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:42,500 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: good international communications; gooddomestic facilitiesdomestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog)and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installedinternational: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands,linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-opticsubmarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:26,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)
Televisions:15,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.fo
Internet hosts:6,915 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:33,000 (2005)
Transportation Faroe Islands
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 458 kmnote: no roads between towns (2003)
Merchant marine:total: 18 ships (1000 GRT or over) 19,265 GRT/9,171 DWTby type: cargo 10, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2foreign-owned: 8 (Iceland 4, Norway 4) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Torshavn
Military Faroe Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 10,695 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 8,852 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 366 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not beenrealized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have beendeferred; Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands' fisheries median lineboundary; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim thatthe Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Fiji
Introduction Fiji
Background:Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as aBritish colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two militarycoups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived asdominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborersbrought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). Thecoups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesiancontrol of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population lossresulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesiansbecame the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was moreequitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in agovernment led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil.Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with ademocratically elected government led by Prime Minister LaiseniaQARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initiallyappointed himself acting president. In January 2007, BAINIMARAMA wasappointed interim prime minister.
Geography Fiji
Location:Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirdsof the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 18,270 sq kmland: 18,270 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,129 km
Maritime claims:measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselinesterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;rectilinear shelf claim added
Climate:tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
People Fiji
Population:905,949 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 31.1% (male 143,847/female 138,061)15-64 years: 64.6% (male 293,072/female 292,312)65 years and over: 4.3% (male 17,583/female 21,074) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 24.6 yearsmale: 24.1 yearsfemale: 25 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.4% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:22.55 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 10.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.82 yearsmale: 67.32 yearsfemale: 72.45 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.73 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:600 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Fijian(s)adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, andother 5% (1998 est.)
Religions:Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim8%, other 2%note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there isa Muslim minority
Languages:English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.7%male: 95.5%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Fiji
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islandsconventional short form: Fijilocal long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Vitilocal short form: Fiji/Viti
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Suva (on Viti Levu)geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 Etime difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,Western
Independence:10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and makemultiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998
Legal system:based on British system
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18July 2000); note - ILOILOVATU was reaffirmed as president by theGreat Council of Chiefs in a statement issued on 22 December, andreappointed by the coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA inJanuary 2007head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal primeminister, he has been confined to his home island; the presidentappointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister underthe military regimecabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - coupleader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinetelections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for afive-year term (eligible for a second term); prime ministerappointed by the president; election last held 8 March 2006election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected presidentby the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointedby the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 onthe advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the adviceof the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnicIndians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for thecouncil of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (nextto be held 2011)election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - SDL 44.59%, FLP 39.18%, UPP .84%, independents 4.89%; seatsby party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court ofAppeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji DemocraticParty or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian DemocratAlliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party orFAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [SitiveniRABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji LaborParty or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP(became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP;Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR;National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE];Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party ofNational Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth orPOTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL[Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC,MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jesoni VITUSAGAVULUchancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Miles DINGERembassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suvamailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suvatelephone: [679] 331-4466FAX: [679] 330-0081
Flag description:light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; theshield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by thecross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,bananas, and a white dove
Economy Fiji
Economy - overview:Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one ofthe most developed of the Pacific island economies, though stillwith a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances fromFijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources offoreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Unionmarkets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugarsubsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrialactivity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damagedby the 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. Long-termproblems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights,and the government's ability to manage its budget. Overseasremittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increasedsignificantly.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.504 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.038 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$6,100 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 137,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.6% (1999)
Population below poverty line:25.5% (1990-91)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (2005)
Budget:revenues: $720.5 millionexpenditures: $728.3 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes,bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Industries:tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, smallcottage industries
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:817 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:759.8 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:10,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-465.8 million
Exports:$719.6 million f.o.b. (2005)
Exports - commodities:sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Exports - partners:US 19.7%, Australia 17%, UK 12.3%, Japan 5.4%, Samoa 4.1% (2005)
Imports:$1.462 billion c.i.f. (2005)
Imports - commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleumproducts, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:Singapore 27.5%, Australia 23.7%, NZ 19%, Thailand 4.5% (2005)
Debt - external:$127 million (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$63.9 million (2004)
Currency (code):Fijian dollar (FJD)
Currency code:FJD
Exchange rates:Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958(2003), 2.1869 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Fiji
Telephones - main lines in use:102,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:142,200 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communicationscenterdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 679; access to important cable linksbetween US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; 2satellite earth stations - 2 INMARSAT (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:541,476 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:NA
Televisions:88,110 (1999)
Internet country code:.fj
Internet hosts:8,987 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:61,000 (2004)
Transportation Fiji
Airports: 28 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 18 (2006)
Railways:total: 597 kmnarrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gaugenote: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; usedto haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2005)
Roadways:total: 3,440 kmpaved: 1,692 kmunpaved: 1,748 km (1999)
Waterways:203 kmnote: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges(2004)
Merchant marine:total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 15,867 GRT/8,432 DWTby type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva
Military Fiji
Military branches:Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces(2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 215,104females age 18-49: 212,739 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 163,960females age 18-49: 178,714 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 9,266females age 18-49: 8,916 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$36 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.2% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Fiji
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Finland
Introduction Finland
Background:Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russiaafter 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During WorldWar II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resistinvasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory.In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkabletransformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modernindustrial economy; per capita income is now on par with WesternEurope. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was theonly Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation inJanuary 1999.
Geography Finland
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, andGulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates:64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 338,145 sq kmland: 304,473 sq kmwater: 33,672 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries: total: 2,681 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km
Coastline:1,250 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)contiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundarywith Swedencontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mildbecause of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and lowhills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 mhighest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources:timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold,silver, limestone
Land use: arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005)
Irrigated land:640 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing toacid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agriculturalchemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, 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: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost nationalcapital on European continent; population concentrated on smallsouthwestern coastal plain
People Finland
Population:5,231,372 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.1% (male 455,420/female 438,719)15-64 years: 66.7% (male 1,766,674/female 1,724,858)65 years and over: 16.2% (male 337,257/female 508,444) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 41.3 yearsmale: 39.7 yearsfemale: 42.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.14% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.45 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.5 yearsmale: 74.99 yearsfemale: 82.17 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.73 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Finn(s)adjective: Finnish
Ethnic groups:Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma 0.2%,Sami 0.1%
Religions:Lutheran National Church 84.2%, Greek Orthodox in Finland 1.1%,other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 13.5% (2003)
Languages:Finnish 92% (official), Swedish 5.6% (official), other 2.4% (smallSami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2003)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100% (2000 est.)
Government Finland
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Finlandconventional short form: Finlandlocal long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finlandlocal short form: Suomi/Finland
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Helsinkigeographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 58 Etime difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani,Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani
Independence:6 December 1917 (from Russia)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution:1 March 2000
Legal system:civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may requestthe Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Eero HEINALUOMA (since 24 September2005)cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by thepresident, responsible to parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006(next to be held January 2012); the president appoints the primeminister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or themajority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliamentmust approve the appointmentelection results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, SauliNIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti Vanhanen (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA(VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held29 January 2006 - HOLONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%note: government coalition - Kesk, SDP, and SFP
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are electedby popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%,Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party -Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, other 4
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD[Paivi RASANEN]; Green League or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; LeftAlliance or VAS composed of People's Democratic League andDemocratic Alternative [Martti KORHONEN]; National Coalition(conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social DemocraticParty or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP[Stefan WALLIN]
International organization participation:AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN,EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA,NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS,UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTUchancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Marilyn WAREembassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinkimailing address: APO AE 09723telephone: [358] (9) 616250FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800
Flag description:white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; thevertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the styleof the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Finland
Economy - overview:Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economywith per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, andItaly. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally thewood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronicsindustries. Trade is important; exports equal two-fifths of GDP.Finland excels in high-tech exports, e.g., mobile phones. Except fortimber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of rawmaterials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods.Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited tomaintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, animportant export earner, provides a secondary occupation for therural population. High unemployment remains a persistent problem.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$171.7 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$196.2 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$32,800 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 30.3% services: 67% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 2.62 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 4.4%, industry 4.4%, construction 6%, commerce 17.5%, finance, insurance, and business services 12%, transport and communications 6%, public services 30.2%
Unemployment rate:7% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:26.9 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.7% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):18.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $105.6 billionexpenditures: $101 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:37.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish
Industries:metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientificinstruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals,textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:3% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:81.6 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% nuclear: 30.4% other: 11.8% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:80.79 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:6.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:11.7 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:9,105 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:220,400 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:101,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:318,300 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:4.86 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:4.866 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$8.749 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$84.72 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp(1999)
Exports - partners:Russia 11.2%, Sweden 10.7%, Germany 10.5%, UK 6.6%, US 6.2%,Netherlands 4.8% (2005)
Imports:$71.69 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transportequipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics,grains
Imports - partners:Germany 16.2%, Sweden 14.1%, Russia 13.9%, Netherlands 6.2%,Denmark 4.6%, UK 4.3%, China 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$6.561 billion (August 2006 est.)
Debt - external:$251.9 billion (30 June 2006)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $850,536,746.4905 (2005)
Currency (code):euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced theeuro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions ofmember countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the solecurrency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.79987 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004),0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Finland
Telephones - main lines in use:2.12 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:5.231 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system with excellent servicedomestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensivecellular network provide domestic needsinternational: country code - 358; 1 submarine cable (FinlandEstonia Connection); satellite earth stations - access to Intelsattransmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland sharesthe Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark,Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:7.7 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:3.2 million (1997)
Internet country code:.fi; note - the IANA has assigned the ccTLD of .ax to the AlandIslands
Internet hosts:1,633,614 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):3 (2002)
Internet users:3.286 million (2005)
Transportation Finland
Airports: 148 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 76 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 14 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 67 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 694 km (2006)
Railways: total: 5,741 km broad gauge: 5,741 km 1.524-m gauge (2,619 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 78,189 kmpaved: 50,633 km (including 653 km of expressways)unpaved: 27,556 km (2006)
Waterways:7,842 kmnote: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leasedfrom Russia (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 87 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,250,600 GRT/952,072 DWTby type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 22, chemical tanker 6, container 1,passenger 5, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/rolloff 25foreign-owned: 3 (Norway 1, Russia 1, UK 1)registered in other countries: 48 (Bahamas 8, Germany 2, Gibraltar3, Luxembourg 4, Marshall Islands 2, Netherlands 13, Norway 4,Sweden 11, UK 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Hamina, Hanko, Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Porvoo, Raahe,Rauma, Turku
Military Finland
Military branches:Finnish Defense Forces: Army, Navy (includes coastal defenseforces), Air Force (2003)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service(October 2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,121,275females age 18-49: 1,076,684 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 913,617females age 18-49: 875,689 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 32,040females age 18-49: 30,519 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.8 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2% (FY98/99)
Transnational Issues Finland
Disputes - international:various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and otherareas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government assertsno territorial demands
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@France
Introduction France
Background:Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, Francesuffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rankas a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of themost modern countries in the world and is a leader among Europeannations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracyresistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentarydemocracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperationwith Germany have proved central to the economic integration ofEurope, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront ofefforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplementprogress toward an EU foreign policy.
Geography France
Location:Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel,between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Italy and SpainFrench Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North AtlanticOcean, between Brazil and SurinameGuadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto RicoMartinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and NorthAtlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and TobagoReunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates:46 00 N, 2 00 EFrench Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 WGuadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 WMartinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 WReunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references:EuropeFrench Guiana: South AmericaGuadeloupe: Central America and the CaribbeanMartinique: Central America and the CaribbeanReunion: World
Area:total: 643,427 sq km; 547,030 sq km (metropolitan France)land: 640,053 sq km; 545,630 sq km (metropolitan France)water: 3,374 sq km; 1,400 sq km (metropolitan France)note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of FrenchGuiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion
Area - comparative:slightly less than the size of Texas
Land boundaries:metropolitan France - total: 2,889 kmborder countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,Switzerland 573 kmGuadeloupe - total: 10.2 kmborder countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 kmFrench Guiana - total: 1,183 kmborder countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline:total: 4,668 kmmetropolitan France: 3,427 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hotsummers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry,north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistralFrench Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperaturevariationGuadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds;moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerableto devasting cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on averageReunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cooland dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)
Terrain:mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in eastFrench Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and smallmountainsGuadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interiormountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of theseven other islands are volcanic in originMartinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcanoReunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 mhighest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources:coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash,feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fishFrench Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum,clay
Land use:arable land: 33.46%permanent crops: 2.03%other: 64.51%note: French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%,other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arableland 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arableland 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005)
Irrigated land:total: 26,190 sq km;metropolitan France: 26,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms;drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterraneanoverseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones), flooding, volcanicactivity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)
Environment - current issues:some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrialand vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes,agricultural runoff
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:largest West European nation