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@Pacific Ocean
Background:The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans(followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, andArctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include theLa Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and TorresStraits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organizationin the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean,removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.
Geography Pacific Ocean
Location:body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and theWestern Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 155.557 million sq kmnote: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, EastChina Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea ofJapan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and othertributary water bodies
Area - comparative:about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the globalsurface; larger than the total land area of the world
Coastline:135,663 km
Climate:planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibitremarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds andwesterly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonalfluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south ofMexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America;continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much lesspronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitudein the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - arainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-ladenwinds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during thewinter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back tothe ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast andeast Asia from May to December
Terrain:surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by aclockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) andin the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; inthe northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea ofOkhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarcticareaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in theeastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while thewestern Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the MarianaTrench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravelaggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards:surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activitysometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject totropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May toDecember (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones(hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America andMexico from June to October (most common in August and September);cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorialPacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and thewestern Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extremenorth from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacificcan be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment - current issues:endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter,seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea andSouth China Sea
Geography - note:the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, LuzonStrait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the PacificOcean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean;dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in thesouthwestern Pacific Ocean
Economy Pacific Ocean
Economy - overview:The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy andparticularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provideslow-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishinggrounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravelfor the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fishcatch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil andgas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energysupplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost ofrecovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings inworld prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in newdrillings.
Transportation Pacific Ocean
Ports and terminals:Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), LosAngeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), SanFrancisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney(Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Transportation - note:Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska toPuget Sound (Washington state)
Transnational Issues Pacific Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Pakistan
Introduction Pakistan
Background:The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state ofPakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu Indiawas never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought twowars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. Athird war between these countries in 1971 - in which Indiacapitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistanipolitics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation ofBangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistanconducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state ofKashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measureshave led to decreased tensions since 2002.
Geography Pakistan
Location:Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the eastand Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates:30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 803,940 sq kmland: 778,720 sq kmwater: 25,220 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 6,774 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912km, Iran 909 km
Coastline:1,046 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain:flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources:land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poorquality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use: arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005)
Irrigated land:182,300 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north andwest; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routesbetween Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People Pakistan
Population:165,803,560 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 39% (male 33,293,428/female 31,434,314)15-64 years: 56.9% (male 48,214,298/female 46,062,933)65 years and over: 4.1% (male 3,256,065/female 3,542,522) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 19.8 yearsmale: 19.7 yearsfemale: 20 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.09% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:29.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 70.45 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 70.84 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 70.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 63.39 yearsmale: 62.4 yearsfemale: 64.44 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:4 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:74,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:4,900 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,and typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and cutaneousleishmaniasis are high risks depending on locationanimal contact disease: rabiesnote: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identifiedamong birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses anegligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizenswho have close contact with birds (2007)
Nationality:noun: Pakistani(s)adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups:Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants fromIndia at the time of partition and their descendants)
Religions:Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages:Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English(official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most governmentministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 48.7%male: 61.7%female: 35.2% (2004 est.)
Government Pakistan
Country name:conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistanconventional short form: Pakistanlocal long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistanlocal short form: Pakistanformer: West Pakistan
Government type:federal republic
Capital:name: Islamabadgeographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 Etime difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan,Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**,North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindhnote: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu andKashmir region consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmirand Northern Areas
Independence:14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday:Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution:12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in2002; amended 31 December 2003
Legal system:based on English common law with provisions to accommodatePakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reservedparliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Executive branch:note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief ofArmy Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee,General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's Constitution andassumed the additional title of Chief Executive; on 12 May 2000,Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously validated the October 1999 coupand granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislative authority for threeyears from the coup date; on 20 June 2001, MUSHARRAF named himselfas president and was sworn in, replacing Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in areferendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency wasextended by five more years; on 1 January 2004, MUSHARRAF won a voteof confidence in the Senate, National Assembly, and four provincialassemblieschief of state: President General Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June2001)head of government: Prime Minister Shaukat AZIZ (since 28 August2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: the president is elected by an electoral college drawnfrom the national parliament and provincial assemblies for afive-year term; note - Musharraf was last sworn in as President inNovember 2002; the prime minister is selected by the NationalAssembly (next elections to be held in 2007)election results: AZIZ elected by the National Assembly on 27 August2004
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and theterritories' representatives in the National Assembly to servesix-year terms; half of the Senate's seats turn over every threeyears) and the National Assembly (342 seats; 272 seats filled bypopular vote; 60 seats reserved for women; 10 seats reserved fornon-Muslims; members serve five-year terms)elections: Senate - last held in March 2006 (next to be held inMarch 2009); National Assembly - last held 10 October 2002 (next tobe held in 2007)election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - PML 39, MMA 18, PPPP 9, MQM 6, PML/N 4, PkMAP 3,PPP 3, ANP 2, BNP-Awami 1, BNP/M 1, JWP 1, PML/F 1, independents 12;National Assembly results - percent of votes by party - NA; seats byparty - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63, PML/N 19, MQM 17, NA 16, PML/F5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1, MQM-H 1, PAT 1, PkMAP 1, PML/Z 1,PTI 1, independents 3
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); FederalIslamic or Shari'a Court
Political parties and leaders:Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; BalochistanNational Party/Hayee Group or BNP/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; BaluchNational Party/Awami or BNP/Awami [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; BaluchNational Party-Mengal or BNP/M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; JamhooriWatan Party or JWP; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR];Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam,Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN]; JamiatUlema-i-Islam, Sami ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ]; JamiatUlema-i-Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amalor MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement, or MQM [AltafHUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (mergedwith PML); Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood KhanACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; PakistanMuslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; PakistanMuslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF];Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; note - asof May 2004, the PML/Q changed its name to PML and absorbed thePML/J, PML/Z, and NA; Pakistan People's Party or PPP [Aftab AhmedKhan SHERPAO]; Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP[Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN];Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and leaders:military remains most important political force; ulema (clergy),landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential
International organization participation:ARF, AsDB, C (reinstated 2004), CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO,MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC,SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmud Ali DURRANI chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan CROCKER embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000 FAX: [92] (51) 2276427 consulate(s) general: Karachi consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar
Flag description:green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religiousminorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star arecentered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green aretraditional symbols of Islam
Economy Pakistan
Economy - overview:Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has sufferedfrom decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreigninvestment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboringIndia. However, IMF-approved government policies, bolstered bygenerous foreign assistance and renewed access to global marketssince 2001, have generated solid macroeconomic recovery the lastfive years. The government has made substantial macroeconomicreforms since 2000, most notably privatizing the banking sector.Poverty levels have decreased by 10 percent since 2001, andIslamabad has steadily raised development spending in recent years,including a 52-percent real increase in the budget allocation fordevelopment in fiscal year 2007, a necessary step toward reversingthe broad underdevelopment of its social sector. The fiscal deficit- the result of chronically low tax collection and increasedspending, including reconstruction costs from the October 2005earthquake - appears manageable for now. GDP growth, spurred bygains in the industrial and service sectors, remained in the 6-8%range in 2004-06. Inflation remains the biggest threat to theeconomy, jumping to more than 9% in 2005 before easing to 7.9% in2006. The central bank is pursuing tighter monetary policy - raisinginterest rates in 2006 - while trying to preserve growth. Foreignexchange reserves are bolstered by steady worker remittances, but agrowing current account deficit - driven by a widening trade gap asimport growth outstrips export expansion - could draw down reservesand dampen GDP growth in the medium term.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$427.3 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$124 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,600 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 22%industry: 26%services: 52% (2006 est.)
Labor force:48.29 millionnote: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and useof child labor (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 42%industry: 20%services: 38% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:6.5% plus substantial underemployment (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:24% (FY05/06 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (FY96/97)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:41 (FY98/99)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.9% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):15.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $20.55 billionexpenditures: $25.65 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:55% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef,mutton, eggs
Industries:textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals,construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:80.24 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% nuclear: 3% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:74.62 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:63,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:324,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:358.9 million bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:27.4 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:27.4 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:759.7 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$-5.486 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$19.24 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leathergoods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs
Exports - partners:US 24.8%, UAE 7.8%, Afghanistan 6.6%, UK 5.7%, Germany 4.5% (2005)
Imports:$26.79 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportationequipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea
Imports - partners:Saudi Arabia 11.1%, UAE 10.3%, China 9.2%, Japan 6.4%, US 6%,Kuwait 5%, Germany 4.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$13.29 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$42.38 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.4 billion (FY01/02)
Currency (code):Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Currency code:PKR
Exchange rates:Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 60.5 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258(2004), 57.752 (2003), 59.724 (2002)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Pakistan
Telephones - main lines in use:5,162,798 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:48,289,136 (2006)
Telephone system:general assessment: the telecom infrastructure is improvingdramatically with foreign and domestic investments into fixed-lineand mobile networks; mobile cellular subscribership has skyrocketed,approaching 50 million in late 2006, up from only about 300,000 in2000; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country toaid in network growth; main line availability has risen onlymarginally over the same period and there are still difficultiesgetting main line service to rural areas.domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,cellular, and satellite networksinternational: country code - 92; satellite earth stations - 3Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operationalinternational gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad);microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2006)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)
Radios:13.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:30 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2006)
Televisions:3.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:.pk
Internet hosts:72,765 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):30 (2000)
Internet users:10.5 million (2005)
Transportation Pakistan
Airports: 139 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 91 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 8 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 48 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 23 (2006)
Heliports:18 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 10,257 km; oil 2,001 km (2006)
Railways:total: 8,163 kmbroad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)
Roadways:total: 258,340 kmpaved: 167,146 km (including 711 km of expressways)unpaved: 91,194 km (2004)
Merchant marine:total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 397,740 GRT/657,656 DWTby type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, container 1, petroleum tanker 4registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 2, North Korea 3, Malta1, Nigeria 1, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
Military Pakistan
Military branches:Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines), PakistanAir Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 16-49: 39,028,014females age 16-49: 36,779,584 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 16-49: 29,428,747females age 16-49: 28,391,887 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 1,969,055females age 16-49: 1,849,254 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4.26 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.9% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Pakistan
Disputes - international:various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously havebegun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since theOctober 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remainsthe site of the world's largest and most militarized territorialdispute with portions under the de facto administration of China(Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmirand Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India andPakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeeperssince 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historicKashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintainedtheir 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions ondefusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistanprotests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control andconstruction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu andKashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of theIndus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare fordiscussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seektechnical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuaryat the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani mapscontinue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghanrefugees leaving slightly less than a million, many of whom remainat their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistanprotests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portionsof their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribalareas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and stemterrorist or other illegal activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 1,084,208 (Afghanistan)IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in SouthWaziristan), 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake, most of thosedisplaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006)(2006)
Illicit drugs:opium poppy cultivation declined 58% to 3,147 hectares in 2005;federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppycampaigns that force eradication - fines and arrests will take placeif the ban on poppy cultivation is not observed; key transit pointfor Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish,bound for Western markets, the Gulf States, and Africa; financialcrimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, andsmuggling remain problems
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@Palau
Introduction Palau
Background:After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of thePacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of theCaroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join theFederated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association withthe US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It enteredinto force the following year, when the islands gained independence.
Geography Palau
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast ofthe Philippines
Geographic coordinates:7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 458 sq kmland: 458 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,519 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain:varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island ofBabelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrierreefs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabedminerals
Land use:arable land: 8.7%permanent crops: 4.35%other: 86.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to themarine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishingpractices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of sixisland groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War IIbattleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
People Palau
Population:20,579 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.3% (male 2,789/female 2,622)15-64 years: 69.1% (male 7,664/female 6,549)65 years and over: 4.6% (male 453/female 502) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 31.7 yearsmale: 32.7 yearsfemale: 30.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.31% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:18.03 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:1.85 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: 1.17 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 14.46 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 16.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 12.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.42 yearsmale: 67.26 yearsfemale: 73.77 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.46 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: Palauan(s)adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%,Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%,Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%(2000 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenousto Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%,Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other religion 3.1%, unspecified or none16.4% (2000 census)
Languages:Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoraleseand English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), andAngaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%,English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, otherAsian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92%male: 93%female: 90% (1980 est.)
Government Palau
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Palauconventional short form: Palaulocal long form: Beluu er a Belaulocal short form: Belauformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government type:constitutional government in free association with the US; theCompact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:name: Melekeokgeographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 Etime difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror,Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence:1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:1 January 1981
Legal system:based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,common, and customary laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005)cabinet: NAelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president;percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote -Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of theSenate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a populationbasis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be heldNovember 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (nextto be held November 2008)election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -independents 9 (four new members elected); House of Delegates -percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 (one new memberelected)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTAchancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC20006telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281consulate(s) general: Honoluluconsulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: US ambassador to the Philippines is accredited toPalauembassy: Koror (no street address)mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description:light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shiftedslightly to the hoist side
Economy Palau
Economy - overview:The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture,and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force,relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business andtourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys aper capita income twice that of the Philippines and much ofMicronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have beengreatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, therising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and thewillingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$124.5 million; note - includes US subsidy (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$145 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$7,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 12% services: 81.8%
Labor force: 9,777 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: NA% services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:4.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.7% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $72.07 millionexpenditures: $72.43 million; including capital expenditures of$12.98 million (FY04/05 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,garment making
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production by source:NA
Current account balance:$15.09 million (FY03/04)
Exports:$5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners:US, Japan, Singapore (2004)
Imports:$107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea (2004)
Debt - external:$0 (FY99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:$19.6 million; note - the Compact of Free Association with the US,entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994,provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years inreturn for furnishing military facilities (2004)
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Palau
Telephones - main lines in use:6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:12,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (cable) (2005)
Televisions:11,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.pw
Internet hosts:3 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Transportation Palau
Airports: 3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways:total: 61 kmpaved: 36 kmunpaved: 25 km
Ports and terminals:Koror
Military Palau
Military branches:no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 5,694 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,087 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 142 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of FreeAssociation between Palau and the US, the US military is grantedaccess to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed anymilitary forces there (2005)
Transnational Issues Palau
Disputes - international: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Panama
Introduction Panama
Background:Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panamabroke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Venezuela,and Ecuador - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latterdissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With USbacking, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed atreaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and USsovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure(the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US ArmyCorps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement wassigned for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panamaby the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone andincreasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in thesubsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA wasdeposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting theCanal, and remaining US military bases were transfered to Panama bythe end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitiousplan to expand the Canal. The project, which is to begin in 2007 andcould double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in2014-15.
Geography Panama
Location:Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the NorthPacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates:9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 78,200 sq kmland: 75,990 sq kmwater: 2,210 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
Climate:tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (Mayto January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain:interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, uplandplains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources:copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:430 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridgeconnecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that linksNorth Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People Panama
Population:3,191,319 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.3% (male 492,403/female 472,996)15-64 years: 63.4% (male 1,025,898/female 998,926)65 years and over: 6.3% (male 94,122/female 106,974) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 26.1 yearsmale: 25.8 yearsfemale: 26.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.6% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:21.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.4 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: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 16.37 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 17.75 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 14.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.22 yearsmale: 72.68 yearsfemale: 77.87 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Panamanian(s)adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed(West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 93.2%female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Panama
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Panamaconventional short form: Panamalocal long form: Republica de Panamalocal short form: Panama
Government type:constitutional democracy
Capital:name: Panamageographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 Wtime difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during StandardTime)
Administrative divisions:9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas
Independence:3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28November 1821)
National holiday:Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004
Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts inthe Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for two more terms);election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009); note -beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president.election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percentof vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),PP (Popular Party)
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly)or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms); note - in 2009, the number of seats willchange to 71elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -PRD 41, PA 17, PS 9, MOLIRENA 4, CD 3, PLN 3, PP 1note: as of January 2006, the composition of the legislature is asfollows: seats by party - PRD 42, PA 16, PS 9, MOLIRENA 4, CD 3, PLN3, PP 1; note - legislators from outlying rural districts are chosenon a plurality basis while districts located in more populous townsand cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-basedformula
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judgesappointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts ofappeal
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; DemocraticRevolutionary Party or PRD [Hugo GUIRAUD]; Liberal Party or PL[Joaquin F. Franco VASQUEZ]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movementor MOLIRENA [Gisela CHUNG]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly theArnulfista Party) [Juan Carlos VARELA]; Patriotic Union Party or PUP[Jose Raul MULINO and Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP (formerlyChristian Democratic Party or PDC) [Rene ORILLAC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council ofOrganized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterpriseor CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers(SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation ofthe Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM,OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Ariaschancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador William A. EATONembassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,Zona 5, Panama City 5mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002telephone: [507] 207-7000FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag description:divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plainred; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white witha red five-pointed star in the center