Geography - note:shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is theultimate source of the Amazon River
People Peru
Population:28,302,603 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.9% (male 4,456,195/female 4,300,233)15-64 years: 63.7% (male 9,078,123/female 8,961,981)65 years and over: 5.3% (male 709,763/female 796,308) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 25.3 yearsmale: 25 yearsfemale: 25.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.32% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:20.48 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.01 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 30.94 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 33.49 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 28.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.84 yearsmale: 68.05 yearsfemale: 71.71 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.51 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:82,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:4,200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Peruvian(s)adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups:Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions:Roman Catholic 81%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other Christian0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified or none 16.3% (2003 est.)
Languages:Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large numberof minor Amazonian languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 87.7%male: 93.5%female: 82.1% (2004 est.)
Government Peru
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Peruconventional short form: Perulocal long form: Republica del Perulocal short form: Peru
Government type:constitutional republic
Capital:name: Limageographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 Wtime difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during StandardTime)
Administrative divisions:25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province*(provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho,Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, LaLibertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua,Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
Independence:28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:31 December 1993
Legal system:based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note- for the first time in recent elections, members of the militaryand national police were eligible to vote in the 2006 elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006);First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second Vice PresidentLourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - the presidentis both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second VicePresident Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006)note: Prime Minister Jorge DEL CASTILLO Galvez (since 28 August2006) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the handsof the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); presidential and congressionalelections held 9 April 2006, with runoff election held 4 June 2006;next to be held April 2011election results: Alan GARCIA elected president in runoff election;percent of vote - Alan GARCIA 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5%
Legislative branch:unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de laRepublica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve five-year terms)elections: last held 9 April 2006 (next to be held April 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 21.2%, PAP 20.6%,UN 15.3%, AF 13.1%, FC 7.1%, PP 4.1%, RN 4.0%; seats by party - UPP45, PAP 36, UN 17, AF 13, FC 5, PP 2, RN 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges areappointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)
Political parties and leaders:Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNAPeralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF - acoalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, NuevaMayoria, and Si Cumple [Martha CHAVEZ Cossio]; Centrist Front(Frente Del Centro) or FC - a coalition of Accion Popular, SomosPeru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes [Drago KISIC];Independent Moralizing Front (Frente Independiente Moralizador) orFIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; Nationalist Party Uniting Peru (PartidoNacionalista Uniendo al Peru) or UPP - a coalition of Union for Peru(UPP) and Peruvian Nationalist Party (PNP) [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso];National Restoration (Restauracion Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAYSun]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano];Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP [David WAISMAN]; Peruvian ApristaParty (Partido Aprista Peruano) or PAP - also referred to by itsoriginal name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA [AlanGARCIA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMANReynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; TupacAmaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
International organization participation:APEC, CAN, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur(associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE,UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Felipe ORTIZ de Zevalloschancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Hartford, Houston,Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco,Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLEembassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),APO AA 34031-5000telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000FAX: [51] (1) 618-2397
Flag description:three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and redwith the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of armsfeatures a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source ofquinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, allframed by a green wreath
Economy Peru
Economy - overview:Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastalregion, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands borderingColombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in themountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellentfishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metalssubjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack ofinfrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years ofinconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy grew by morethan 4 percent per year during the period 2002-2006, with a stableexchange rate and low inflation. Risk premiums on Peruvian bonds onsecondary markets reached historically low levels in late 2004,reflecting investor optimism regarding the government's prudentfiscal policies and openness to trade and investment. Despite thestrong macroeconomic performance, underemployment and poverty havestayed persistently high. Economic growth continues to be driven bythe Camisea natural gas megaproject and by exports of minerals,textiles, and agricultural products. Upon taking office, PresidentGARCIA announced the formation of Sierria Exportadora, a programaimed at promoting economic growth in Southern Peru and thehighlands.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$181.8 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$76.09 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$6,400 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 26.4% services: 53.1% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 9.21 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9% industry: 18% services: 73% (2001)
Unemployment rate:7.2% in metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:54% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:49.8 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.1% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):20.3% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $25.5 billionexpenditures: $25.18 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.8billion for general government, but excluding private enterprises(2006 est.)
Public debt:33.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:asparagus, coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn,plantains, grapes, oranges, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products;fish, guinea pigs
Industries:mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication;petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fishprocessing, textiles, clothing, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:7% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:23.99 billion kWh (2004 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0.8% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:22.31 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:120,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:156,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:49,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:370 million bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:860 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:860 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:246.8 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$1.515 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$22.69 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee,potatoes, asparagus, textiles, guinea pigs
Exports - partners:US 31.1%, China 10.8%, Chile 6.6%, Canada 5.9%, Switzerland 4.6%(2005)
Imports:$15.38 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles,iron and steel, wheat, paper
Imports - partners:US 18.2%, China 8.5%, Brazil 8%, Ecuador 7.4%, Colombia 6.1%,Argentina 5.1%, Chile 5.1%, Venezuela 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$17.04 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$27.93 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$491 million (2002)
Currency (code):nuevo sol (PEN)
Currency code:PEN
Exchange rates:nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.28069 (2006), 3.2958 (2005), 3.4132(2004), 3.4785 (2003), 3.5165 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Peru
Telephones - main lines in use:2,250,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:5.583 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate for most requirementsdomestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domesticsatellite system with 12 earth stationsinternational: country code - 51; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)
Radios:6.65 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:3.06 million (1997)
Internet country code:.pe
Internet hosts:269,981 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):10 (2000)
Internet users:4.6 million (2005)
Transportation Peru
Airports: 268 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 214 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 124 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 983 km; gas/lpg 61 km; liquid natural gas 106 km; liquidpetroleum gas 517 km; oil 1,754 km; refined products 13 km (2006)
Railways:total: 3,462 kmstandard gauge: 2,962 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 500 km 0.914-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 78,829 kmpaved: 11,351 km (including 276 km of expressways)unpaved: 67,478 km (2004)
Waterways:8,808 kmnote: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 kmof Lago Titicaca (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 38,954 GRT/62,255 DWTby type: cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1foreign-owned: 1 (US 1)registered in other countries: 15 (Panama 15) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas; note - Iquitos,Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of the Amazon andits tributaries
Military Peru
Military branches:Peruvian Army (Ejercito Peruano), Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerradel Peru; includes naval air, naval infantry, and coast guard),Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 6,647,874females age 18-49: 6,544,408 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,938,417females age 18-49: 5,278,511 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 277,105females age 18-49: 269,799 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$829.3 million (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (2003 est.)
Transnational Issues Peru
Disputes - international:Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilaterallegislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritimeboundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lineswhich favor Peru; organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombiahave penetrated Peru's shared border; Peru rejects Bolivia's claimto restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor throughChile along the Peruvian border
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenouspeasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Peru is primarily a source country for women andchildren trafficked internally for the purposes of sexualexploitation and forced domestic labor; most victims are girls andyoung women moved internally from rural to urban areas, or from cityto city, and lured or coerced into prostitution in nightclubs, bars,and brothels; Peruvians have also been trafficked for sexualexploitation to Spain, Japan, the United States, and Venezuela; thegovernment acknowledges that sex tourism occurs, particularly in theAmazon region of the countrytier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Peru is placed on the Tier 2 WatchList for failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to eliminatetrafficking in 2005
Illicit drugs:until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; cultivation ofcoca in Peru fell 15% to 31,150 hectares between 2002 and the end of2003; much of the cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombiafor processing into cocaine, while finished cocaine is shipped outfrom Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasingamounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved toBrazil and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipped toEurope and Africa
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@Philippines
Introduction Philippines
Background:The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16thcentury; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following theSpanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became aself-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President andwas tasked with preparing the country for independence after a10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japaneseoccupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought togetherduring 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippinesattained their independence. The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOSended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him intoexile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency washampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to fullpolitical stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS waselected president in 1992 and his administration was marked bygreater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the USclosed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA waselected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president,Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormyimpeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespreaddemonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to asix-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threatsfrom an armed Communist insurgency and from Muslim separatists inthe south, as well as from impeachment attempts by political elitesand civil groups unhappy with the current administration.
Geography Philippines
Location:Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and theSouth China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 300,000 sq kmland: 298,170 sq kmwater: 1,830 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:36,289 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm fromcoastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has alsoclaimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm inbreadthexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwestmonsoon (May to October)
Terrain:mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:15,500 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five tosix cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
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: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorablylocated in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies:the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, andLuzon Strait
People Philippines
Population:89,468,677 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 15,961,365/female 15,340,065)15-64 years: 61% (male 27,173,919/female 27,362,736)65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,576,089/female 2,054,503) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 22.5 yearsmale: 22 yearsfemale: 23 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.8% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:24.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.48 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 22.81 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 25.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 19.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.21 yearsmale: 67.32 yearsfemale: 73.24 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.11 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:9,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 500 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks insome locationsanimal contact disease: rabies (2007)
Nationality:noun: Filipino(s)adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%,Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%,Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%,unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages:two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon orIlonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 92.5%female: 92.7% (2002)
Government Philippines
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Philippinesconventional short form: Philippineslocal long form: Republika ng Pilipinaslocal short form: Pilipinas
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Manilageographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 Etime difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:79 provinces and 117 chartered citiesprovinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, CamarinesNorte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, EasternSamar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela,Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte,Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, MindoroOriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province,Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon,Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, SouthCotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte,Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte,Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugaychartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, GeneralSantos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc,Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay,Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, SanCarlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), SanFernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, SanJose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay,Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran,Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental),Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga
Independence:12 June 1898 (from Spain)
National holiday:Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date ofdeclaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date ofindependence from US
Constitution:2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent ofCommission of Appointmentselections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-yearterm; election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYOelected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%
Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at largeby popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 membersrepresenting districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; memberselected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - theConstitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having morethan 250 members)elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held 14 May2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004(next to be held 14 May 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas7, LP 3, KNP (coalition) 3, independents 4, others 6; note - thereare 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator waselected vice president; House of Representatives - percent of voteby party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11,others 20; party-listers 24 (2004)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on therecommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court forhearing corruption cases of government officials)
Political parties and leaders:Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) [Ronaldo PUNO]; Laban NgDemokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP[Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of ChristianDemocrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA]; Liberal Party or LP [FranklinDRILON/Eli QUINTO]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR]; National People'sCoalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL];People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; PROMDI [EmilioOSMENA]; Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses)or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and RisaHONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ALAGAD [Rep. Rodante MARROLITA]; ALIF [Rep.Acmad TOMAWIS]; An Waray [Rep. Horencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [MujivHATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; APEC[Reps. Ernesto PABLO, Edgar VALDEZ]; Association of PhilippineElectric Cooperatives (APEC) [Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, andSunny Rose MADAMBA]; AVE [Rep. Eulogio MAGSAYSAY]; Bayan Muna [Reps.Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Reps.Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep. BenjaminCRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Rep.Guillermo CUA]; GABRIELA [Rep. Liza MAZA]; Partido Ng Manggagawa[Rep. Renato MAGTUBO]; Veterans Federation of the Philippines [Rep.Ernesto GIDAYA] (2006)
International organization participation:APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, PIF (partner), UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAAchancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, SanFrancisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 528-6300 FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace andjustice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateraltriangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center ofthe triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, eachrepresenting one of the first eight provinces that soughtindependence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains asmall, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three majorgeographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao;the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flownupside down with the red band at the top
Economy Philippines
Economy - overview:The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financialcrisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by its high levelof annual remittances from overseas workers, and no sustained runupin asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis. From a0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economicslowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDPgrowth accelerated to about 5% between 2002 and 2006 reflecting thecontinued resilience of the service sector, and improved exports andagricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustainedgrowth path to make appreciable progress in the alleviation ofpoverty given the Philippines' high annual population growth rateand unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also faceshigher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar borrowings,and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's ability tofinance infrastructure and social spending. The Philippines'consistently large budget deficit has produced a high debt level,and this situation has forced Manila to spend a large portion of thenational government budget on debt service. Large unprofitablepublic enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute tothe government's debt because of slow progress on privatization.Credit rating agencies have at times expressed concern about thePhilippines' ability to service the debt, though central bankreserves appear adequate and large remittance inflows appear stable.The implementation of the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) in November2005 boosted confidence in the government's fiscal capacity andhelped to strengthen the peso, making it East Asia's best performingcurrency in 2005-06. Investors and credit rating institutions willcontinue to look for effective implementation of the new VAT andcontinued improvement in the government's overall fiscal capacity inthe coming year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$443.1 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$98.48 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$5,000 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.3% industry: 32.1% services: 53.7% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 36.65 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 36% industry: 16% services: 48% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:8.4% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:40% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:46.6 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.6% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):14.3% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $19.44 billionexpenditures: $21.38 billion; including capital expenditures of NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:69.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples,mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Industries:electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals,chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining,fishing
Industrial production growth rate:2% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:53.13 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:49.41 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2006)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2006)
Oil - production:25,320 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:342,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:0 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:312,000 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - proved reserves:152 million bbl (1 January 2004)
Natural gas - production:2.9 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.9 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:106.8 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$5.355 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$44.2 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts, copperproducts, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 18%, Japan 17.5%, China 9.9%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.1%,Singapore 6.6%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2005)
Imports:$48.76 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, vehicles and vehicleparts, plastic, chemicals, grains
Imports - partners:US 19.2%, Japan 17%, Singapore 7.9%, Taiwan 7.5%, China 6.3%, SouthKorea 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$20.57 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$61.49 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA commitments, $2 billion (2004)
Currency (code):Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency code:PHP
Exchange rates:Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.5747 (2006), 55.086 (2005),56.04 (2004), 54.203 (2003), 51.604 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:3,437,500 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:32.81 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarinecable services; domestic and inter-island service adequatedomestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellularcommunications now dominate the industry with roughly 10 mobilecellular subscribers for every fixed-line subscriberinternational: country code - 63; 11 international gateways;submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan,Brunei, and Malaysia among others
Radio broadcast stations: AM 375, FM 596, shortwave 4 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2006)
Radios:11.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:233; note - 1480 CATV networks (2006)
Televisions:3.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ph
Internet hosts:111,262 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):33 (2000)
Internet users:7.82 million (2005)
Transportation Philippines
Airports: 256 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 10 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 99 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2006)
Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2005)
Roadways: total: 200,037 km paved: 19,804 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2003)
Waterways:3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 403 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,661,285 GRT/6,426,183 DWTby type: bulk carrier 82, cargo 115, chemical tanker 13, container6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 17, passenger 9,passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 15, rollon/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 13foreign-owned: 66 (Greece 5, Hong Kong 3, Japan 26, Malaysia 1,Netherlands 19, Norway 3, UAE 1, US 8)registered in other countries: 41 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Cambodia1, Cayman Islands 1, Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 16, Indonesia 1,Panama 13, Singapore 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Surigao
Military Philippines
Military branches:Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes MarineCorps), Philippine Air Force (Hukbomg Himpapawid ng Pilipinas) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 20,131,179females age 18-49: 20,009,526 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 15,170,096females age 18-49: 16,931,191 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 907,542females age 18-49: 878,712 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$836.9 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.9% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands,known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed byChina, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions inthe Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code ofconduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, thenational oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signeda joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the SpratlyIslands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's SabahState in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's grantingthe Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereigntyclaim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continuewith Palau
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 60,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and AbuSayyaf groups) (2006)
Illicit drugs:domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem inrecent years; longstanding marijuana producer
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@Pitcairn Islands
Introduction Pitcairn Islands
Background:Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settledin 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the SouthPacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned thepopulation from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.
Geography Pitcairn Islands
Location:Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway betweenPeru and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 47 sq kmland: 47 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:51 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainyseason (November to March)
Terrain:rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources:miro trees (used for handicrafts), fishnote: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have beendiscovered offshore
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment - current issues:deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remainsbecause of burning and clearing for settlement)
Geography - note:Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island ofPitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; suppliesmust be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationedoffshore
People Pitcairn Islands
Population: 45 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:NA
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:NA
Sex ratio:NA
Infant mortality rate:total: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Total fertility rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups:descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Religions:Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century Englishdialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Literacy:NA
Government Pitcairn Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islandsconventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Adamstowngeographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 Wtime difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940;further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system:local island by-laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands George FERGUSSON (since April2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Councilhead of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006);Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15December 2004)cabinet: NAelections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissionerappointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for athree-year term; election last held December 2004 (next to be heldDecember 2007)election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of theIsland Council
Legislative branch:unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 elected by popular vote, 1nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governorincluding 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and acommissioner liaising between the governor and council; electedmembers serve one-year terms)elections: last held in 24 December 2005 (next to be held December2006)election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; JudicialOfficers are appointed by the Governor
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of theflag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with ashield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy Pitcairn Islands
Economy - overview:The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing,subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertilesoil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits andvegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The majorsources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors andthe sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October 2004, more thanone-quarter of Pitcairn's small labor force was arrested, puttingthe economy in a bind, since their services were required as lightercrew to load or unload passing ships.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$NA
Labor force:15 able-bodied men (2004)
Labor force - by occupation:note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works;subsistence farming and fishing
Budget:revenues: $746,000expenditures: $1.028 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(FY04/05)
Agriculture - products:honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens
Industries:postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey
Electricity - production:NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-poweredgenerator
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
Economic aid - recipient:$3.465 million (2004)
Currency (code):New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:NZD
Exchange rates:New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004),1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Pitcairn Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: satellite phone servicesdomestic: domestic communication via radio (CB)international: country code - 872; satellite earth station (Inmarsat)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0, note - 15 Ham radio operators (VP6) (2004)
Radios:NA
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.pn
Internet hosts:8 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:NA
Transportation Pitcairn Islands
Roadways: total: 6 km unpaved: 6 km (dirt roads)
Ports and terminals:Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)
Military Pitcairn Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Pitcairn Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@Poland
Introduction Poland
Background:Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle ofthe 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry andinternal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreementsbetween 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitionedPoland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II.It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but itsgovernment was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoilin 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union"Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 hadswept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy"program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform itseconomy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Polandstill faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment,underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor ruralunderclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy tothe lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the SolidarityTrade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union'spolitical role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-orientedcountry largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active memberof Euro-Atlantic organizations.