Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Exports:$37 million (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennisracquets
Exports - partners:UK 26.7%, Barbados 12.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 12.3%, Saint Lucia10.9%, US 9.2%, Dominica 7.2%, Grenada 6.8%, Antigua and Barbuda6.2% (2005)
Imports:$225 million (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers,minerals and fuels
Imports - partners:US 33.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 23.6%, UK 9.4%, Japan 4.2% (2005)
Debt - external:$223 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$10.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (2004)
Currency (code):East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7(2003), 2.7 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Telephones - main lines in use:22,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:70,600 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate systemdomestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHFradiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of theGrenadinesinternational: country code - 1-784; VHF/UHF radiotelephone fromSaint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and toSaint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique throughSaint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:77,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus three repeaters) (2004)
Televisions:18,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.vc
Internet hosts:94 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):15 (2000)
Internet users:8,000 (2005)
Transportation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Airports: 6 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 829 kmpaved: 580 kmunpaved: 249 km (2003)
Merchant marine:total: 589 ships (1000 GRT or over) 5,449,699 GRT/8,051,250 DWTby type: bulk carrier 106, cargo 351, chemical tanker 5, container20, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 1, passenger 5,passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 38, rollon/roll off 20, specialized tanker 3foreign-owned: 529 (Bangladesh 1, Barbados 1, Belgium 3, Bulgaria17, Canada 6, China 103, Croatia 9, Cyprus 1, Czech Republicregistered in other countries: 1 (Comoros 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Kingstown
Military Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesPolice Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 31,489 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 25,787 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 1,204 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Transnational Issues Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Disputes - international:joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that AvesIsland sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, whichpermits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a largeportion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the USand Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Samoa
Introduction Samoa
Background:New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa atthe outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer theislands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, whenthe islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablishindependence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western"from its name in 1997.
Geography Samoa
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, aboutone-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 2,944 sq kmland: 2,934 sq kmwater: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:403 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May toOctober)
Terrain:two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands anduninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky,rugged mountains in interior
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 21.13% permanent crops: 24.3% other: 54.57% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Environment - current issues:soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
People Samoa
Population:176,908 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26.1% (male 23,492/female 22,653)15-64 years: 67.3% (male 74,202/female 44,894)65 years and over: 6.6% (male 5,299/female 6,368) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 25.2 yearsmale: 28.1 yearsfemale: 22 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.2% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:16.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-11.76 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: 1.65 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 26.85 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 31.7 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 71 yearsmale: 68.2 yearsfemale: 73.94 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.94 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:12
HIV/AIDS - deaths:3
Nationality:noun: Samoan(s)adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups:Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesianblood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions:Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%,Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist3.5%, other Christian 4.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other 1.7%,unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)
Languages:Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.7%male: 99.6%female: 99.7% (2003 est.)
Government Samoa
Country name:conventional long form: Independent State of Samoaconventional short form: Samoalocal long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoalocal short form: Samoaformer: Western Samoa
Government type:mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Capital:name: Apiageographic coordinates: 13 50 S, 171 45Wtime difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga,Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga,Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence:1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UNtrusteeship, however it is observed in June
Constitution:1 January 1962
Legal system:based on English common law and local customs; judicial review oflegislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Malietoa TANUMAFILI II (cochief of state from 1January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA(since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from1992 and assumed the duties of acting prime minister in 1996, whenformer Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health;TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) afterTOFILAU died; Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001)cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief ofstate on the prime minister's adviceelections: upon the death of Malietoa TANUMAFILI II, a new chief ofstate will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve afive-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime ministerby the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected byvoters affiliated with traditional village-based electoraldistricts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan orpart-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish avillage affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election tothe Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members servefive-year terms)elections: election last held 31 March 2006 (next election to beheld not later than March 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -HRPP 35, SDUP 10, independents 4
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and TitlesCourt
Political parties and leaders:Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele MalielegaoiTUILA'EPA]; Samoa Christian Party or TCP [Tuala Tiresa MALIETOA];Samoa Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati]; Samoa Partyor SP [Su'a Rimoni Ah CHONG]; Samoa Progressive Political Party orSPPP [Toeolesulusulu SIUEVA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF,Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIAchancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited toSamoaembassy: Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building, 5th Floor,Beach Road, Apiamailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia, 0815telephone: [685] 21436/21452/21631/22696FAX: [685] 22030
Flag description:red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearingfive white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Crossconstellation
Economy Samoa
Economy - overview:The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent ondevelopment aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, andfishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms.Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90%of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. Thefish catch declined during the El Nino of 2002-03, but returned tonormal by mid-2005. The manufacturing sector mainly processesagricultural products. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs3,000 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an assemblyplant in Australia. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for25% of GDP; about 100,000 tourists visited the islands in 2005. TheSamoan Government has called for deregulation of the financialsector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscaldiscipline, while at the same time protecting the environment.Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basicstrength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in arelatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflationis low.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1 billion (2002 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$399 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,100 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.4% industry: 58.4% services: 30.2% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 90,000 (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (2005)
Budget:revenues: $171.3 millionexpenditures: $78.1 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(FY04/05 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa
Industries:food processing, building materials, auto parts
Industrial production growth rate:2.8% (2000)
Electricity - production:108 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:100.5 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:1,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-2.428 million (FY03/04)
Exports:$94 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts,garments, beer
Exports - partners:Australia 75.9%, American Samoa 13.6%, US 6.5% (2005)
Imports:$285 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:NZ 31%, Australia 22.6%, US 13.5%, Japan 7.5%, Fiji 6%, China 4.6%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$70.15 million (FY03/04)
Debt - external:$177 million (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$30.8 million (2004)
Currency (code):tala (SAT)
Currency code:SAT (former WST code is still in wide use)
Exchange rates:tala per US dollar - 2.7103 (2005), 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003),3.3763 (2002)
Fiscal year:June 1 - May 31
Communications Samoa
Telephones - main lines in use:13,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:24,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequatedomestic: NAinternational: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:174,849 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:8,634 (1999)
Internet country code:.ws
Internet hosts:10,680 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:6,000 (2004)
Transportation Samoa
Airports:4 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 2,337 kmpaved: 332 kmunpaved: 2,005 km (2004)
Merchant marine:total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWTby type: cargo 1foreign-owned: 1 (Germany 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Apia
Military Samoa
Military branches:no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 58,722 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 45,294 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 2,306 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces;informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to considerany Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship
Transnational Issues Samoa
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@San Marino
Introduction San Marino
Background:The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco),San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. Accordingto tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinoin A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that ofItaly; social and political trends in the republic also trackclosely with those of its larger neighbor.
Geography San Marino
Location:Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates:43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 61.2 sq kmland: 61.2 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain:rugged mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Geography - note:landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy Seeand Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
People San Marino
Population:29,251 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.8% (male 2,534/female 2,372)15-64 years: 66.2% (male 9,316/female 10,055)65 years and over: 17% (male 2,149/female 2,825) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 40.6 yearsmale: 40.3 yearsfemale: 41 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.26% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.02 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:8.17 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:10.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.09 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 81.71 yearsmale: 78.23 yearsfemale: 85.5 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.34 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: Sammarinese (singular and plural)adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups:Sammarinese, Italian
Religions:Roman Catholic
Languages:Italian
Literacy:definition: age 10 and over can read and writetotal population: 96%male: 97%female: 95% (1976 est.)
Government San Marino
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of San Marinoconventional short form: San Marinolocal long form: Repubblica di San Marinolocal short form: San Marino
Government type:independent republic
Capital:name: San Marinogeographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, BorgoMaggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino,Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle
Independence:3 September AD 301
National holiday:Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301)
Constitution:8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functionsof a constitution
Legal system:based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Cochiefs of State Captain Regent Antonio CARATTONIand Captain Regent Roberto GIORGETTI (for the period 1 October2006-31 March 2007)head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and PoliticalAffairs Fiorenzo STOLFI (since 27 July 2006)cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Councilfor a five-year termelections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Greatand General Council for a six-month term; election last held inSeptember 2006 (next to be held March 2007); secretary of state forforeign and political affairs elected by the Great and GeneralCouncil for a five-year term; election last held 27 July 2006 (nextto be held NA)election results: Antonio CARATTONI and Roberto GIORGETTI electedcaptains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Fiorenzo STOLFIelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;percent of legislative vote - NAnote: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent(co-chiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside overmeetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congressof State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand andGeneral Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries ofstate; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed someprime ministerial roles
Legislative branch:unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale(60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 4 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 32.9%, Party ofSocialists and Democrats 31.9%, APDS 11.9%, United Left 8.7%, NewSocialist Party 5.4%; seats by party - PDCS 21, Party of Socialistsand Democrats 20, APDS 7, United Left 5, New Socialist Party 3,other 4
Judicial branch:Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII
Political parties and leaders:Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM[Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN [Glauco SANSOVINI]; NewSocialist Party [Augusto CASALI]; Party of Socialists and Democrats[Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Christian Democratic Party or PDCS[Pier Marino MENICUCCI]; San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats orAPDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; San Marino Socialist Party or PSS [AlbertoCECCHETTI]; Socialists for Reform or SR [Renzo GIARDI]; United Left
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in the US:San Marino does not have an embassy in the UShonorary consulate(s) general: New York, Washington, DChonorary consulate(s): Detroit, Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in San Marino, but the ambassadorto Italy is accredited to San Marino
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with thenational coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of armshas a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by awreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS(Liberty)
Economy San Marino
Economy - overview:The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2006 more than2.1 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries arebanking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Mainagricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level ofoutput and standard of living are comparable to those of the mostprosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$940 million (2001 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$880 million (2002)
GDP - real growth rate:2.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$34,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force: 19,970 (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 42% services: 57% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:2.6% (2001)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-1.7% (2001)
Budget:revenues: $400 millionexpenditures: $400 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2000 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Industries:tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate:6% (1997 est.)
Exports:trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics
Imports:trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Imports - commodities:wide variety of consumer manufactures, food
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):euro (EUR)
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.79669 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004),0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications San Marino
Telephones - main lines in use:20,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:16,800 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate connectionsdomestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated intoItalian systeminternational: country code - 378; connected to Italianinternational network
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997)
Televisions:9,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.sm
Internet hosts:3,140 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:14,300 (2002)
Transportation San Marino
Roadways: total: 104 km paved: 104 km (2003)
Military San Marino
Military branches:no regular military forces; Voluntary Military Force (CorpiMilitari Voluntar) performs ceremonial duties and limited policefunctions (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 6,331 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 5,107 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 135 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$700,000 (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of Italy
Transnational Issues San Marino
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Sao Tome and Principe
Introduction Sao Tome and Principe
Background:Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, theislands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form ofwhich lingered into the 20th century. Although independence wasachieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until thelate 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, thepolitical environment has been one of continued instability withfrequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003.The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to havea significant impact on the country's economy.
Geography Sao Tome and Principe
Location:Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling theEquator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates:1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1,001 sq kmland: 1,001 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:209 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain:volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005)
Irrigated land:100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of achain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
People Sao Tome and Principe
Population:193,413 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47.5% (male 46,478/female 45,302)15-64 years: 48.8% (male 45,631/female 48,661)65 years and over: 3.8% (male 3,368/female 3,973) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 16.2 yearsmale: 15.6 yearsfemale: 16.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:3.15% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:40.25 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 41.83 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 43.74 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 39.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 67.31 yearsmale: 65.73 yearsfemale: 68.95 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.62 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne disease: malaria (2007)
Nationality:noun: Sao Tomean(s)adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups:mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros(descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers fromAngola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicaisborn on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Religions:Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%,other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Languages:Portuguese (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 79.3%male: 85%female: 62% (1991 est.)
Government Sao Tome and Principe
Country name:conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principeconventional short form: Sao Tome and Principelocal long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principelocal short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Sao Tomegeographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 Etime difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Independence:12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution:approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Legal system:based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September2001)head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since21 April 2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on theproposal of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (nextto be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the NationalAssembly and approved by the presidentelection results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent ofvote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats;members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 26 March 2006 (next to be held March 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, other 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23,MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for ChangeDemocratic Movement or MDFM; Independent Democratic Action or ADI[Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome andPrincipe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto DaCOSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA];Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU,ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 consulate(s): Atlanta
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag description:three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), andgreen with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in thecenter of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on thehoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy Sao Tome and Principe
Economy - overview:This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependenton cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production hassubstantially declined in recent years because of drought andmismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earningsin 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods,consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, ithas had difficulty servicing its external debt and has reliedheavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tomebenefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 underthe Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helpedbring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005,Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and GrowthFacility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potentialexists for development of a tourist industry, and the government hastaken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The governmentalso has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tomeis optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in itsterritorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are beingjointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. The firstproduction licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute overlicensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growthexceeded 4% in 2006, as a result of increases in public expendituresand oil-related capital investment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$214 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$71.38 million (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,200 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.6% industry: 15.3% services: 68.1% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 35,050 (1991)
Labor force - by occupation: note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:54% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):15% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):35.2% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $102.1 millionexpenditures: $61.43 million; including capital expenditures of $54million (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:18 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:16.74 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:660 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-24.4 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$9.773 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:Netherlands 61.9%, Belgium 9.3%, Turkey 5.6%, South Korea 4.1%(2005)
Imports:$48.87 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleumproducts
Imports - partners:Portugal 47.5%, US 17.3%, Malaysia 6.2%, Belgium 5.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$25.47 million (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$318 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
Currency (code):dobra (STD)
Currency code:STD
Exchange rates:dobras per US dollar - 12,134 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), NA (2004),9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sao Tome and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:7,000 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:12,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate facilitiesdomestic: minimal systeminternational: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:38,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:2 (2002)
Televisions:23,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.st
Internet hosts:735 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:20,000 (2005)
Transportation Sao Tome and Principe
Airports:2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 320 kmpaved: 218 kmunpaved: 102 km (1999)
Merchant marine:total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 21,527 GRT/29,823 DWTby type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 7foreign-owned: 3 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Sao Tome
Military Sao Tome and Principe
Military branches:Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard,Presidential Guard (2004)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 33,438females age 18-49: 35,279 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 25,950females age 18-49: 28,660 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$581,729 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.8% (2005 est.)
Military - note:Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost noresources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operatingunilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate andmaintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 yearsin tropical climates; poor pay and conditions have been a problem inthe past, as has alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers, asreflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are beingaddressed with foreign assistance as initial steps towards theimprovement of the army and its focus on realistic securityconcerns; command is exercised from the president, through theMinister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Saudi Arabia
Introduction Saudi Arabia
Background:Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's twoholiest shrines in Mecca and Medina, and the king's official titleis the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state wasfounded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud)after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. Amale descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rulesthe country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law.Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia acceptedthe Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Westernand Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwaitthe following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops onSaudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tensionbetween the royal family and the public until all operational UStroops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May andNovember 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domesticterrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautiousreform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increasedpolitical participation, the government held elections nationwidefrom February through April 2005 - for half the members of 179municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed theprocess by appointing the remaining members of the advisorymunicipal councils. The country remains a leading producer of oiland natural gas and holds approximately 25% of the world's provenoil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform anddiversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to theWTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in thekingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economylargely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoinggovernmental concerns.
Geography Saudi Arabia
Location:Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north ofYemen
Geographic coordinates:25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 2,149,690 sq kmland: 2,149,690 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:total: 4,431 kmborder countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:2,640 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified
Climate:harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:16,200 sq km (2003)