Internet country code:.sg
Internet hosts:898,762 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):9 (2000)
Internet users:2,421,800 (2005)
Transportation Singapore
Airports: 9 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 139 km; refined products 8 km (2006)
Roadways: total: 3,234 km paved: 3,234 km (including 150 km of expressways) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 1,063 ships (1000 GRT or over) 31,033,735 GRT/49,715,650 DWTby type: bulk carrier 155, cargo 87, chemical tanker 136, container214, liquefied gas 53, livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1,petroleum tanker 353, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 2,specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 40foreign-owned: 592 (Australia 7, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 12, China 23,Denmark 52, Germany 9, Greece 9, Hong Kong 50, India 5, Indonesia56, Italy 2, Japan 100, South Korea 17, Malaysia 35, Netherlands 2,Norway 90, Philippines 5, Slovenia 1, Sweden 12, Taiwan 59, Thailand22, UAE 7, UK 9, US 7)registered in other countries: 285 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas12, Belize 6, Bolivia 3, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Cyprus 1,Dominica 9, France 2, Honduras 11, Hong Kong 24, Indonesia 17, Isleof Man 7, North Korea 1, Liberia 28, Malaysia 44, Marshall Islands6, Mongolia 10, Nigeria 1, Panama 67, Saint Vincent and theGrenadines 5, Thailand 6, Tuvalu 6, US 2, unknown 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Singapore
Military Singapore
Military branches:Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force(includes Air Defense) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation reduced to 24 months beginning December 2004 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,215,568 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 982,368 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4.47 billion (FY01 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:4.9% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Singapore
Disputes - international:disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water toSingapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridgeconstruction, maritime boundaries in the Johor and SingaporeStraits; in November 2007 the ICJ will hold public hearings as aconsequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by theparties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra BrancaIsland/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia andSingapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritimeboundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia'sBatam Island ; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Illicit drugs:as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore isvulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue formoney laundering
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Slovakia
Introduction Slovakia
Background:The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close ofWorld War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechsto form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II,Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled EasternEurope. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia oncemore became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separatepeacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EUin the spring of 2004.
Geography Slovakia
Location:Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates:48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 48,845 sq kmland: 48,800 sq kmwater: 45 sq km
Area - comparative:about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:total: 1,524 kmborder countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands inthe south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Bodrok River 94 mhighest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources:brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper andmanganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use: arable land: 29.23% permanent crops: 2.67% other: 68.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,830 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human healthrisks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; theTatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakesand valleys
People Slovakia
Population:5,439,448 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.7% (male 465,304/female 443,967)15-64 years: 71.3% (male 1,929,448/female 1,947,735)65 years and over: 12% (male 244,609/female 408,385) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 35.8 yearsmale: 34.2 yearsfemale: 37.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.15% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.65 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.48 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.73 yearsmale: 70.76 yearsfemale: 78.89 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.33 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 200 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Slovak(s)adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups:Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%,other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, otheror unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Languages:Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%,other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.6%male: 99.7%female: 99.6% (2001 est.)
Government Slovakia
Country name:conventional long form: Slovak Republicconventional short form: Slovakialocal long form: Slovenska Republikalocal short form: Slovensko
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Bratislavageographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 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:8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky kraj,Bratislavsky kraj, Kosicky kraj, Nitriansky kraj, Presovsky kraj,Trenciansky kraj, Trnavsky kraj, Zilinsky kraj
Independence:1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic andSlovakia)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution:ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed inSeptember 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amendedFebruary 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legal system:civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; legal code modifiedto comply with the obligations of Organization on Security andCooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legaltheory
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 July 2006);Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan CAPLOVIC, Robert KALINAK, StefanHARABIN, Jan MIKOLAJ (since 4 July 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-yearterm (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 April and 17April 2004 (next to be held April 2009); following National Councilelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of amajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by thepresidentelection results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna RadaSlovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis ofproportional representation to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 17 June 2006 (next to be held 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 29.1%, SDKU 18.4%,SNS 11.7%, SMK 11.7%, LS-HZDS 8.8%, KDH 8.3%; seats by party - Smer50, SDKU 31, SNS 19, SMK 20, LS-HZDS 16, KDH 14
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council);Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group ofnominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judgeselected by a council of judges and appointed by president)
Political parties and leaders:Parties in the Parliament: Christian Democratic Movement or KDH[Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [RobertFICO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR];People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS[Vladimir MECIAR]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union or SDKU-DS[Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA];Parties outside the Parliament: Agrarian Party of the Provinces orASV [Jozef VASKEBA]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter TATAR];Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Hope or NADEJ [Alexandra NOVOTNA];Left-wing Bloc or LB [Jozef KALMAN]; Mission 21 - New ChristianDemocracy or MISIA 21 [Ivan SIMKO]; Movement for Democracy or HZD[Jozef GRAPA]; New Citizens Alliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Party ofthe Democratic Left or SDL [Ladislav KOZMON]; Prosperita Slovenskaor PS [Frantisek A. ZVRSKOVEC]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS[Vladimir DADO]; Slovak National Coalition or SLNKO [VitazoslavMORIC]; Slovak People's Party or SLS [Jozef SASIK]; Union of theWorkers of Slovakia or ZRS [Jan LUPTAK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic;Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of TradeUnions or KOZ; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber ofCommerce and Industry or SOPK; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakiaor ZPS; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI,CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council(temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO,UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACERchancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Rodolphe "Skip" M. VALLEEembassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislavamailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislavatelephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338FAX: [421] (2) 5443-0096
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and redsuperimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a redshield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorrainesurmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centeredvertically and offset slightly to the hoist side
Economy Slovakia
Economy - overview:Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from acentrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDAgovernment made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomicstabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearlycomplete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands,and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boomwith business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalizationand a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive sector hasbeen strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in2001-06, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at anunacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 10.2% in 2006, but remainsthe economy's Achilles heel. Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$96.35 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$46.9 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$17,700 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 31.4% services: 64.8% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 2.629 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.8%, industry 5.8%, construction 9%, services 29.3% (2003)
Unemployment rate:10.2% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:21% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 20.9% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25.8 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.4% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):27.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $24.57 billionexpenditures: $26.14 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:36.1% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry;forest products
Industries:metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas,coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery;paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles;textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate:7.8% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:28.81 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% nuclear: 53.6% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:24.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:10.4 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:7.8 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:11,480 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:74,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:2,160 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:59,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:9 million bbl (1 January 2006)
Natural gas - production:165 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.719 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:1 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:6.948 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:15.01 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$-3.781 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$39.64 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, basemetals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4% (2004)
Exports - partners:Germany 26.2%, Czech Republic 14.1%, Austria 7.1%, Italy 6.7%,Poland 6.3%, Hungary 5.7% (2005)
Imports:$41.84 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufacturedgoods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufacturedgoods 10.2% (2003)
Imports - partners:Germany 25.1%, Czech Republic 19.3%, Russia 10.5%, Austria 6.1%,Poland 4.7%, Hungary 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$15.75 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$31.5 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$12.67 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesionfunds (2007-13)
Currency (code):Slovak koruna (SKK)
Currency code:SKK
Exchange rates:koruny per US dollar - 29.9315 (2006), 31.018 (2005), 32.257(2004), 36.773 (2003), 45.327 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Slovakia
Telephones - main lines in use:1.197 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4.54 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: Slovakia has a modern telecommunications systemthat has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth incellular servicesdomestic: analog system is now receiving digital equipment and isbeing enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the largercities; three companies provide nationwide cellular servicesinternational: country code - 421; three international exchanges(one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available;Slovakia is participating in several internationaltelecommunications projects that will increase the availability ofexternal services
Radio broadcast stations:AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:3.12 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:6 national broadcasting, 7 regional, 67 local (2004)
Televisions:2.62 million (1997)
Internet country code:.sk
Internet hosts:210,758 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:2.5 million (2005)
Transportation Slovakia
Airports: 36 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 8 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 8 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2006)
Railways:total: 3,662 kmbroad gauge: 100 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 3,512 km 1.435-m gauge (1,588 km electrified)narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2005)
Roadways:total: 42,993 kmpaved: 37,533 km (including 316 km of expressways)unpaved: 5,460 km (2004)
Waterways:172 km (on Danube River) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 43 ships (1000 GRT or over) 217,819 GRT/309,049 DWTby type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 36, chemical tanker 1foreign-owned: 40 (Bulgaria 7, Estonia 1, Greece 4, Israel 7, Poland2, Syria 2, Turkey 8, UK 1, Ukraine 8)registered in other countries: 2 (Cyprus 1, Georgia 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Bratislava, Komarno
Military Slovakia
Military branches:Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily SlovenskejRepubliky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily),Training and Support Forces (Vycviku a Podpory Sily) (2005)
Military service age and obligation: complete transition to an all-volunteer professional force went into effect at the beginning of 2006 after 140 years of mandatory army service; volunteers include women, with minimum age of 17 years (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,351,848females age 18-49: 1,322,647 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,089,645females age 18-49: 1,093,077 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 41,544females age 18-49: 40,183 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$406 million (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.87% FY05 (2005)
Transnational Issues Slovakia
Disputes - international:bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working groupnegotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary overHungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaroshydroelectric dam project along the Danube ; as a member state thatforms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia must implement thestrict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for WesternEurope; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Slovenia
Introduction Slovenia
Background:The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire untilthe latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, theSlovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinationalstate, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II,Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which thoughCommunist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied withthe exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeededin establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war.Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stabledemocracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modernstate. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of2004.
Geography Slovenia
Location:Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenAustria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates:46 07 N, 14 49 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 20,273 sq kmland: 20,151 sq kmwater: 122 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,382 kmborder countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Hungary 102 km,Italy 280 km
Coastline:46.6 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mildto hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to theeast
Terrain:a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain regionadjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys withnumerous rivers to the east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources:lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower,forests
Land use: arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding and earthquakes
Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls someof Europe's major transit routes
People Slovenia
Population:2,010,347 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 13.8% (male 143,079/female 135,050)15-64 years: 70.5% (male 714,393/female 702,950)65 years and over: 15.7% (male 121,280/female 193,595) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 40.6 yearsmale: 39 yearsfemale: 42.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.05% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:8.98 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.33 yearsmale: 72.63 yearsfemale: 80.29 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.25 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:280 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Slovene(s)adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups:Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other orunspecified 12% (2002 census)
Religions:Catholic 57.8%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 2.4%,unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)
Languages:Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%(2002 census)
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6%
Government Slovenia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Sloveniaconventional short form: Slovenialocal long form: Republika Slovenijalocal short form: Slovenijaformer: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia
Government type:parliamentary republic
Capital:name: Ljubljanageographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 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:182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urbanmunicipalities* (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina )Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke,Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica,Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno,Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca,Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec,Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale,Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, GornjaRadgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina,Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina,Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice,Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*,Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart,Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, LoskaDolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk,Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz naDravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce,Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje,Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica,Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka,Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci,Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne naKoroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, RogaskaSlatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic,Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju,Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*,Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno obPaki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse,Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij,Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic,Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej,Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica,Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica,Zuzemberk, Zrecenote: there may be 45 more municipalities
Independence:25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution:adopted 23 December 1991
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)
Executive branch:chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andelected by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 10 November and 1December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007); followingNational Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become primeminister by the president and elected by the National Assembly;election last held 9 November 2004 (next National Assembly electionsto be held October 2008)election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA electedprime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consisting of a National Assembly or DrzavniZbor (90 seats; 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on aproportional basis; note - the number of directly elected andproportionally elected seats varies with each election; theconstitution mandates one seat each for Slovenia's Hungarian andItalian minorities; members are elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms) and the National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats;this is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers;it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decisions,and call national referenda; members - representing social,economic, professional, and local interests - are indirectly electedto five-year terms by an electoral college)elections: National Assembly - last held 3 October 2004 (next to beheld October 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - SDS 29.1%, LDS 22.8%,ZLSD 10.2%, NSi 9%, SLS 6.8%, SNS 6.3%, DeSUS 4.1%, other 11.7%;seats by party - SDS 29, LDS 23, ZLSD 10, NSi 9, SLS 7, SNS 6, DeSUS4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on therecommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court(judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly andnominated by the president)
Political parties and leaders:Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Jelko KACIN]; New Slovenia or NSi[Andrej BAJUK]; Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA];Slovenian Democratic Pensioners' Party or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC];Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People'sParty or SLS [Janez PODOBNIK]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [DarkoKRANJC]; Social Democrats or SD [Borut PAHOR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,EMU, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA,NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE,PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU(associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ZBOGAR chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: Cleveland, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas B. ROBERTSON embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, withthe Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia'shighest peak, in white against a blue background at the center;beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, andabove it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an invertedtriangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts ofCelje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of theflag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy Slovenia
Economy - overview:With a GDP per capita substantially greater than the othertransitioning economies of Central Europe, Slovenia is a model ofeconomic success and stability for its neighbors in the formerYugoslavia. The country, which joined the EU in 2004 and joined theeurozone on 1 January 2007, has excellent infrastructure, awell-educated work force, and an excellent central location.Privatization of the economy proceeded at an accelerated pace in2002-05. Despite lackluster performance in Europe in 2001-05,Slovenia maintained moderate growth. Structural reforms to improvethe business environment have allowed for greater foreignparticipation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lowerunemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transitioncountry to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at theWorld Bank. Despite its economic success, Slovenia faces growingchallenges. Much of the economy remains in state hands and foreigndirect investment (FDI) in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EUon a per capita basis. Taxes are relatively high, the labor marketis often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing salesto more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. Thecurrent center-right government, elected in October 2004, haspledged to accelerate privatization of a number of large stateholdings and is interested in increasing FDI in Slovenia. In late2005, the government's new Committee for Economic Reforms waselevated to cabinet-level status. The Committee's program includesplans for lowering the tax burden, privatizing state-controlledfirms, improving the flexibility of the labor market, and increasingthe government's efficiency.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$46.08 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$37.64 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$22,900 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 34.7% services: 62.9% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 914,000 (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 39.1% services: 56.1% (2004)
Unemployment rate:9.6% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:10%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 21.4% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:28.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.4% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):25% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $15.9 billionexpenditures: $16.35 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:29% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep,poultry
Industries:ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting;electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric powerequipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:14.46 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:12.67 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:7.094 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:6.314 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:7.83 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:53,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.1 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.1 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-789.2 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$21.85 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals,food
Exports - partners:Germany 19.8%, Italy 12.7%, Croatia 9.3%, France 8.1%, Austria 8.1%(2005)
Imports:$23.59 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals,fuels and lubricants, food
Imports - partners:Germany 19.5%, Italy 18.6%, Austria 12%, France 7.1%, Croatia 4.2%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$8.761 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$27.63 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $484 million (2004-06)
Currency (code):euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 2007, Slovenia's currency became the euro; boththe tolar and the euro were in circulation from 1 January until 15January
Currency code:SIT
Exchange rates:tolars per US dollar - 190.465 (2006), 192.71 (2005), 192.38(2004), 207.11 (2003), 240.25 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Slovenia
Telephones - main lines in use:816,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.759 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: 100% digital (2000)international: country code - 386
Radio broadcast stations:AM 10, FM 230, shortwave 0 (2006)
Radios:805,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:31 (2006)
Televisions:710,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.si
Internet hosts:61,735 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):11 (2000)
Internet users:1.09 million (2005)
Transportation Slovenia
Airports: 14 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 4 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2006)
Railways:total: 1,229 kmstandard gauge: 1,229 km 1.435-m gauge (504 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 38,451 kmpaved: 38,451 km (including 483 km of expressways) (2004)
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 26 (Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas1, Cyprus 4, Georgia 1, Liberia 2, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 3,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Koper
Military Slovenia
Military branches:Slovenian Army (includes air and naval forces)
Military service age and obligation:17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscriptionabolished in 2003 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 496,929females age 17-49: 483,959 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 405,593females age 17-49: 397,167 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 12,816females age 17-49: 12,178 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$370 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.7% (FY00)
Transnational Issues Slovenia
Disputes - international:the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, whichwould have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Sloveniaand several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute;Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economiczone in the Adriatic; as a member state that forms part of the EU'sexternal border, Slovenia must implement the strict Schengen borderrules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeasternEurope while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia
Illicit drugs:minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin boundfor Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Solomon Islands
Introduction Solomon Islands
Background:The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred onthis archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 andindependence two years later. Ethnic violence, governmentmalfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civilsociety. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought theassistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; thefollowing month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived torestore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional AssistanceMission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective inrestoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
Geography Solomon Islands
Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of PapuaNew Guinea
Geographic coordinates:8 00 S, 159 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 28,450 sq kmland: 27,540 sq kmwater: 910 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:5,313 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain:mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use: arable land: 0.62% permanent crops: 2.04% other: 97.34% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region withfrequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefsare dead or dying
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean,the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
People Solomon Islands
Population:552,438 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 41.3% (male 116,370/female 111,834)15-64 years: 55.4% (male 154,793/female 151,308)65 years and over: 3.3% (male 8,696/female 9,437) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.9 yearsmale: 18.7 yearsfemale: 19 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.61% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:30.01 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:3.92 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 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: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 20.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 23.54 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 17.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.91 yearsmale: 70.4 yearsfemale: 75.55 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.91 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: Solomon Islander(s)adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups:Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%,unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)
Religions:Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South SeasEvangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%,Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%,unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)
Languages:Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; Englishis official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the populationnote: 120 indigenous languages
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Government Solomon Islands
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Solomon Islandslocal long form: nonelocal short form: Solomon Islandsformer: British Solomon Islands
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Honiarageographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 Etime difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul,Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona,Temotu, Western
Independence:7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:7 July 1978
Legal system:English common law, which is widely disregarded
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 4 May2006); note - Prime Minister Snyder RINI, elected on 18 April 2006and sworn in on 20 April 2006, resigned on 26 April prior to noconfidence vote in parliament; SOGAVARE elected on 4 Maycabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governorgeneral on the advice of the prime minister from among the membersof Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to fiveyears (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majoritycoalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected fromsingle-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-yearterms)elections: last held 5 April 2006 (next to be held in 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 6.9%,SIPRA 6.3%, Democratic 4.9%, PAP 6.3%, LAFARI 2.8%, Liberal 5%,SOCRED 4.3%, independents 60.3%; seats by party - National Party 4,SIPRA 4, Democratic 3, PAP 3, LAFARI 2, Liberal 2, SOCRED 2,independents 30
Judicial branch:Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:Association of Independent Members or AIM [Thomas CHAN]; ChristianAlliance Solomon Islands or CASI [Edward RONIA]; LAFARI Party [JohnGARO]; National Party [Francis HILLY]; People's Alliance Party orPAP [Sir Allan KEMAKEZA]; Social Credit Party or SOCRED [ManassehDamukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon First Party [David QUAN]; SolomonIslands Democratic Party [Gabriel SURI]; Solomon Islands Labor Partyor SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party [BartholomewULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA[Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA]note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluidcoalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders:Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force (MEF); note -these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in awave of violence from 1999 to 2003
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF,Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECKchancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closedJuly 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to theSolomon Islands
Flag description:divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lowerhoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with fivewhite five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lowertriangle is green
Government - note:June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the interventionof Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament approved therequest for intervention in July 2003; troops from Australia, NZ,Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24 July 2003; by 2006, theRegional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) had beenscaled back to 259 police officers and 20 military, in addition tocivilian technical advisers; in response to rioting that broke outin mid-April 2006, Australia dispatched an addtional 220 troops and70 police officers to help restore order