Dependency status:special administrative region of China
Government type:limited democracy
Administrative divisions:none (special administrative region of China)
Independence:none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday:National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republicof China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated asHong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution:Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People'sCongress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
Legal system:based on English common law
Suffrage:direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residentsliving in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years;indirect election limited to about 200,000 members of functionalconstituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broadregional groupings, municipal organizations, and central governmentbodies
Executive branch:chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)cabinet: Executive Council consists of 14 official members and 15non-official memberselections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected tosecond five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committeedominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005;Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005and 24 June 2005; TSANG was elected on 16 June 2005 to fill finaltwo years of TUNG's term (next election to be held in March 2007)
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004 30 seatsindirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected bypopular vote; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September2008)election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10,independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11,Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1;non-voting LEGCO president 1
Judicial branch:Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL[Frederick FUNG Kin-kee]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung];Civic Party [KUAN Hsin-chi]; Democratic Alliance for the Bettermentand Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [MA Lik]; Democratic Party [AlbertHO]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing]; Liberal Party [James TIENPei-chun]note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, DemocraticParty, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - DAB, Liberal Party
Political pressure groups and leaders:Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); ChineseManufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of TradeUnions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEECheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries;Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong,executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the PatrioticDemocratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong andKowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamberof Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNGMan-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center orNWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]
International organization participation:APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (special administrative region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2845-1598
Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center
Economy Hong Kong
Economy - overview:Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent oninternational trade. The territory has become more closely linked tomainland China over the past few years. Even before Hong Kongreverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997, it had extensivetrade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong's service industryover the past decade has grown rapidly as its manufacturing industryhas moved to the mainland. Hong Kong also has stepped up its effortsto gain approval to offer more mainland financial services in a bidto remain competitive with China's growing financial centers. HongKong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materialsmust be imported. Gross imports and exports (i.e., includingreexports to and from third countries) each exceed GDP in dollarvalue. Per capita GDP exceeds that of the four big economies ofWestern Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 2006,but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past eight yearsbecause of the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998 and the globaldownturn in 2001-2002. Although the Severe Acute RespiratorySyndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 also battered Hong Kong's economy,a solid rise in exports, a boom in tourism from the mainland becauseof China's easing of travel restrictions, and a return of consumerconfidence resulted in the resumption of strong growth from late2003 through 2006. Moreover, several large initial public offeringsof Chinese companies on the Hong Kong stock exchange since late 2005have helped to boost Hong Kong's status as a financial hub and havecontributed to the improved performance of the market in late 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$253.1 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$187.1 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$36,500 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 9% services: 90.9% (2006 est.)
Labor force:3.63 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:manufacturing 7.5%, construction 7.5%, wholesale and retail trade,restaurants, and hotels 43.9%, financing, insurance, and real estate2.9%, transport and communications 7.1%, community and socialservices 43.9%note: above data exclude public sector (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:4.9% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:52.25 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.1% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $35.16 billionexpenditures: $33.02 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.9billion (2006 est.)
Public debt:1% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish
Industries:textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics,plastics, toys, watches, clocks
Industrial production growth rate:4% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:38.45 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:44.55 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:4.497 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:10.39 billion kWh (2005)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:285,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:0 bbl/day
Oil - imports:25,000 bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.2 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:2.524 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$20.9 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$611.6 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear,watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material
Exports - partners:China 45%, US 16.1%, Japan 5.3% (2005)
Imports:$329.8 billion (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods,foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)
Imports - partners:China 45%, Japan 11%, Taiwan 7.2%, Singapore 5.8%, US 5.1%, SouthKorea 4.4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$132 billion (November 2006 est.)
Debt - external:$472.9 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Currency (code):Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
Currency code:HKD
Exchange rates:Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.77367 (2006), 7.7773 (2005),7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003), 7.7989 (2002)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Hong Kong
Telephones - main lines in use:3,794,600 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:8.693 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domesticand international servicesdomestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-opticnetworkinternational: country code - 852; satellite earth stations - 3Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable toGuangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cablesproviding connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan,Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:4.45 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 55 low power stations note: two TV networks, each one broadcasting on two channels (2006)
Televisions:1.84 million (1997)
Internet country code:.hk
Internet hosts:800,834 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):17 (2000)
Internet users:4,878,713 (2005)
Transportation Hong Kong
Airports: 3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports: 3 (2006)
Roadways: total: 1,955 km paved: 1,955 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 924 ships (1000 GRT or over) 30,838,025 GRT/51,957,682 DWTby type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 495, cargo 121, chemicaltanker 44, container 133, liquefied gas 22, passenger 6,passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 76, roll on/roll off 3,specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 8foreign-owned: 562 (Australia 1, Belgium 3, Canada 28, China 274,Denmark 6, Germany 6, Greece 27, Indonesia 4, Japan 67, South Korea6, Norway 26, Philippines 16, Portugal 1, Singapore 24, Syria 1,Taiwan 6, UAE 2, UK 43, US 21)registered in other countries: 417 (Bahamas 8, Belize 8, Bermuda 10,Cambodia 15, China 7, Cyprus 1, France 1, French Southern andAntarctic Lands 2, Greece 1, Honduras 2, India 1, Liberia 37,Malaysia 14, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 7, Norway 55, Panama 169,Philippines 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 50,Taiwan 3, Tuvalu 8, unknown 7) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Hong Kong
Military Hong Kong
Military branches:no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison ofChina's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLAGround Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are underthe direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijingand under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou MilitaryRegion
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,743,972females age 18-49: 1,904,967 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,403,088females age 18-49: 1,527,278 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 40,343females age 18-49: 38,234 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of China
Transnational Issues Hong Kong
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces difficultchallenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine toregional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduitfor money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs,especially among young people
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Hungary
Introduction Hungary
Background:Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, whichcollapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rulefollowing World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawalfrom the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military interventionby Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungarybegan liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "GoulashCommunism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 andinitiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EUin 2004.
Geography Hungary
Location:Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates:47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 93,030 sq kmland: 92,340 sq kmwater: 690 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 2,171 kmborder countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,Serbia 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain:mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on theSlovakian border
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Tisza River 78 mhighest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources:bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Land use: arable land: 49.58% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 48.36% (2005)
Irrigated land: 2,300 sq km (2003)
Environment - current issues: the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94
Geography - note:landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes betweenWestern Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine andMediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and TiszaRivers divide the country into three large regions
People Hungary
Population:9,981,334 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.6% (male 799,163/female 755,389)15-64 years: 69.2% (male 3,403,375/female 3,505,640)65 years and over: 15.2% (male 550,297/female 967,470) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 38.7 yearsmale: 36.3 yearsfemale: 41.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.25% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:13.11 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 9.09 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.66 yearsmale: 68.45 yearsfemale: 77.14 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.32 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,800 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Hungarian(s)adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic groups:Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated14.5% (2001 census)
Languages:Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.4%male: 99.5%female: 99.3% (2003 est.)
Government Hungary
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Hungaryconventional short form: Hungarylocal long form: Magyar Koztarsasaglocal short form: Magyarorszag
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Budapestgeographic coordinates: 47 30 N, 19 05 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:19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 22 urban counties (singular- megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves,Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy,Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zalaurban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Gyor,Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa,Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar,Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszegcapital city: Budapest
Independence:1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday:Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August
Constitution:18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals andconstitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister andalso established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997amendment streamlined the judicial system
Legal system:rule of law based on Western model; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Ferenc GYURCSANY (since 29September 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly onthe recommendation of the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6-7June 2005 (next to be held by June 2010); prime minister elected bythe National Assembly on the recommendation of the president;election last held 29 September 2004election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simplemajority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Ferenc GYURCSANYelected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 197 to 12note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds oflegislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in thethird round
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; membersare elected by popular vote under a system of proportional anddirect representation to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 9 and 23 April 2006 (next to be held April 2010)election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the voterequired for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSzP43.2%, Fidesz-KDNP 42%, SzDSz 6.5%, MDF 5%, other 3.3%; seats byparty - MSzP 190, Fidesz 141, KDNP 23, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent1
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assemblyfor nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; ChristianDemocratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN]; Hungarian CivicAlliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian DemocraticForum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP[Istvan HILLER, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU(associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador April H. FOLEY embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Economy Hungary
Economy - overview:Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to amarket economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that ofthe EU-25 average. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economicgrowth and acceded to the EU in May 2004. The private sectoraccounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment inHungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign directinvestment totaling more than $60 billion since 1989. Hungariansovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 - together with the CzechRepublic, Hungary holds the highest rating among the CentralEuropean transition economies. Rating agencies, however, haveexpressed concerns over Hungary's fiscal and current accountdeficits. Inflation has declined from 14% in 1998 to 3.7% in 2006.Unemployment has persisted above 6%. Hungary's labor forceparticipation rate of 57% is one of the lowest in the Organizationfor Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Germany is by farHungary's largest economic partner. Policy challenges includecutting the public sector deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008, from about6.5% in 2006, and orchestrating an orderly interest rate reductionwithout sparking capital outflows.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$172.7 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$113.1 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$17,300 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 32.1% services: 64.8% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 4.2 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.5% industry: 33.3% services: 61.2% (2003)
Unemployment rate:7.4% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:8.6%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 22.2% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:26.9 (2002)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.7% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):23.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $48.73 billionexpenditures: $59.62 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:68.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle,poultry, dairy products
Industries:mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods,textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:9.5% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:31.83 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.1% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 39% other: 0.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:37.1 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:6.3 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:13.8 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:47,530 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:132,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:47,180 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:94,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:110.7 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:2.963 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:14.46 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:11.42 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:34.26 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$-8.392 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$67.99 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, foodproducts 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003)
Exports - partners:Germany 30.2%, Italy 5.7%, Austria 5.6%, France 5.3%, UK 5.1% (2005)
Imports:$69.75 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels andelectricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003)
Imports - partners:Germany 27.5%, Russia 7.4%, China 7.1%, Austria 6.6%, France 4.9%,Italy 4.9%, Netherlands 4.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$21.05 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$107.3 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $3.4 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)
Currency (code):forint (HUF)
Currency code:HUF
Exchange rates:forints per US dollar - 215.105 (2006), 199.58 (2005), 202.75(2004), 224.31 (2003), 257.89 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Hungary
Telephones - main lines in use:3.356 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:9.32 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and iscapable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication servicedomestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunkservices are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwaveradio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections wasinitiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephonesinternational: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cableconnections with all neighboring countries; the international switchis in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (AtlanticOcean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small apertureterminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals
Radio broadcast stations:AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios:7.01 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:4.42 million (1997)
Internet country code:.hu
Internet hosts:608,085 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):16 (2000)
Internet users:3.05 million (2005)
Transportation Hungary
Airports: 46 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 10 (2006)
Heliports:5 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2006)
Railways:total: 7,937 kmbroad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gaugestandard gauge: 7,682 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 159,568 kmpaved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km ofexpressways)unpaved: 89,518 km (2005)
Waterways:1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs (2003)
Military Hungary
Military branches:Ground Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscriptionabolished in June 2004 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 2,303,116females age 18-49: 2,265,463 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,780,513females age 18-49: 1,864,580 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 63,847females age 18-49: 61,037 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.08 billion (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.75% (2002 est.)
Transnational Issues Hungary
Disputes - international:in 2004, Hungary amended the status law extending special socialand cultural benefits - and voted down a referendum to extend dualcitizenship - to ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring states,which have objected to such measures; consultations continue betweenSlovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion theGabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as amember state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungarymust implement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and forSouth American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producerof precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine andmethamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to moneylaundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Iceland
Introduction Iceland
Background:Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrantsduring the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts theworld's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing,established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland wassubsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askjavolcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and causedwidespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of theisland's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limitedhome rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independenceattained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesionare first-rate by world standards.
Geography Iceland
Location:Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates:65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references:Arctic Region
Area:total: 103,000 sq kmland: 100,250 sq kmwater: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:4,970 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windywinters; damp, cool summers
Terrain:mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coastdeeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
Natural resources:fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:arable land: 0.07%permanent crops: 0%other: 99.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:earthquakes and volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewatertreatment
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands,Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine LifeConservation
Geography - note:strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmostEuropean country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital inthe world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continentalEurope
People Iceland
Population:299,388 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21.7% (male 33,021/female 32,021)15-64 years: 66.5% (male 100,944/female 98,239)65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,876/female 19,287) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 34.2 yearsmale: 33.8 yearsfemale: 34.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.87% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:13.64 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 80.31 yearsmale: 78.23 yearsfemale: 82.48 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.92 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:220 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Icelander(s)adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups:homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%,population of foreign origin 6%
Religions:Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%, RomanCatholic Church 2%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%, other Christian2.7%, other or unspecified 3.8%, unaffiliated 2.4% (2004)
Languages:Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Iceland
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Icelandconventional short form: Icelandlocal long form: Lydveldid Islandlocal short form: Island
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:name: Reykjavikgeographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 Wtime difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra,Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland
Independence:1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown);17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday:Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Constitution:16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times
Legal system:civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August1996)head of government: Prime Minister Geir H. HAARDE (since 7 June 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: president, largely a ceremonial post, is elected bypopular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election lastheld 26 June 2004 (next to be held June 2008); following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually the prime ministerelection results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31%, Progressive Party 17.7%,Left-Green Movement 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party -Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, ProgressiveParty 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life bythe Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices areappointed for life by the Minister of Justice)
Political parties and leaders:Independence Party or IP [Geir H. HAARDE]; Left-Green Movement orLGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [GudjonKRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Jon SIGURDSSON]; SocialDemocratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, SocialDemocratic Party or SDP, Women's List) or SDA [Ingibjorg SolrunGISLADOTTIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA,FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NC,NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU(associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Albert JONSSONchancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carol VAN VOORST embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Department of State, 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640 telephone: [354] 562-9100 FAX: [354] 562-9118
Flag description:blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges ofthe flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoistside in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Iceland
Economy - overview:Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yetwith an extensive welfare system (including generous housingsubsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution ofincome. In the absence of other natural resources (except forabundant geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on thefishing industry, which provides nearly 60% of export earnings andemploys 6% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive todeclining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices forits main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, andferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the currentaccount deficit, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation,revising agricultural and fishing policies, and diversifying theeconomy. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarilybecause of Icelanders' concern about losing control over theirfishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying intomanufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and newdevelopments in software production, biotechnology, and financialservices are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding,with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Since 2000growth has varied from a -1% in 2002 to 8% in 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$11.4 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$13.85 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$38,100 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.4% industry: 15.6% services: 76% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 173,000 (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.1% industry: 23% services: 71.4% (2005)
Unemployment rate:1.3% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.8% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):31.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $7.345 billionexpenditures: $6.655 billion; including capital expenditures of $467million (2006 est.)
Public debt:23.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish
Industries:fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production;geothermal power, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:5% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:8.474 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 82.5% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (geothermal) (2001)
Electricity - consumption:7.881 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:20,560 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:0 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:15,470 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-2.932 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$3.587 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products,ferrosilicon, diatomite
Exports - partners:UK 17.9%, Germany 16.4%, Netherlands 13%, US 8.1%, Spain 7.7%,Denmark 4.3% (2005)
Imports:$5.189 billion (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:Germany 13.4%, US 9.1%, Sweden 8.6%, Denmark 7.3%, Norway 7.2%, UK5.9%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Japan 4.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$1.018 billion (August 2006 est.)
Debt - external:$3.073 billion (2002)
Economic aid - donor:$6.7 million (2004)
Currency (code):Icelandic krona (ISK)
Currency code:ISK
Exchange rates:Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 69.5108 (2006), 62.982 (2005),70.192 (2004), 76.709 (2003), 91.662 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Iceland
Telephones - main lines in use:193,900 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:304,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: extensive domestic servicedomestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-opticcables and microwave radio relay linksinternational: country code - 354; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Oceanregions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with theother Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:260,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:98,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.is
Internet hosts:212,897 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):20 (2001)
Internet users:258,000 (2005)
Transportation Iceland
Airports: 98 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 5over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 931,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 29under 914 m: 61 (2006)
Roadways:total: 13,028 kmpaved/oiled gravel: 4,241 km (does not include urban roads)unpaved: 8,787 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 3,354 GRT/480 DWTby type: passenger/cargo 1registered in other countries: 34 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1,Belize 2, Faroe Islands 4, Gibraltar 1, Malta 4, Norway 4, SaintVincent and the Grenadines 10) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik,Seydhisfjordhur
Military Iceland
Military branches:no regular armed forces; Icelandic National Police, Icelandic CoastGuard (Islenska Landhelgisgaeslan) subordinate to Ministry ofJustice, Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 69,038 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 56,777 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:0
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0%
Military - note:under a 1951 bilateral agreement, Iceland's defense was provided bya US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered in Keflavik;in October 2006, all US military forces in Iceland were withdrawn;nonetheless, the US and Iceland signed a Joint Understanding tostrengthen their bilateral defense relationship, including regularsecurity consultations, military communications in the event ofnational emergencies, annual bilateral exercises on Icelandicterritory, and future bilateral and NATO support to four Iceland AirDefense System (IADS) radar sites
Transnational Issues Iceland
Disputes - international:Iceland disputes Denmark's alignment of the Faroe Islands'fisheries median line; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland disputeDenmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extendsbeyond 200 nm
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Iles Eparses
Introduction Iles Eparses
Background:The Iles Eparses, or scattered islands, are a group of five Frenchentities - Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan deNova Island, and Tromelin Island - which on 1 April 1960 came underthe authority of the Minister in charge of overseas possessions. On19 September 1960 by decree, the islands were transferred to thecharge of the Prefet of Reunion where they remained until 3 January2005 when they were transferred by another decree to the SeniorAdministrator of the Territory of the French Southern and AntarcticLands (TAAF).Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is avolcanic seamount surrounded by reefs and awash at high tide.Europa Island: A French possession since 1897, the island is heavilywooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs aweather station.Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the GloriosoIslands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (IleGlorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrisonoperates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanishnavigator and explorer, the island has been a French possessionsince 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate.Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorologicalstation.Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the islandcame under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, itserves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an importantmeteorological station.
Geography Iles Eparses
Location:Southern Africa, in the Indian OceanBassas da India: atoll in the southern Mozambique Channel, abouthalf way from Madagascar to MozambiqueEuropa Island: island in the Mozambique Channel, about half waybetween southern Madagascar and southern MozambiqueGlorioso Islands: group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest ofMadagascarJuan de Nova Island: island in the Mozambique Channel, aboutone-third of the way between Madagascar and MozambiqueTromelin Island: island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:Bassas da India: 21 30 S, 39 50 EEuropa Island: 22 20 S, 40 22 EGlorioso Islands: 11 30 S, 47 20 EJuan de Nova Island: 17 03 S, 42 45 ETromelin Island: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references:Africa
Area:Bassas da India: total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8sq km (lagoon)Europa Island: total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq kmGlorioso Islands: total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq kmJuan de Nova Island: total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0sq kmTromelin Island: total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Area - comparative:Bassas da India: land area about one-third the size of The Mall inWashington, DCEuropa Island: about one-sixth the size of Washington, DCGlorioso Islands: about eight times the size of The Mall inWashington, DCJuan de Nova Island: about seven times the size of The Mall inWashington, DCTromelin Island: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Land boundaries:none
Coastline:Bassas da India: 35.2 kmEuropa Island: 22.2 kmGlorioso Islands: 35.2 kmJuan de Nova Island: 24.1 kmTromelin Island: 3.7 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm; note - Juan de Nova Island andTromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to thedepth of exploitation
Climate:tropical
Terrain:Bassas da India: atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoonEuropa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, andsandyTromelin Island: low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount