Geography Swaziland
Location:Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 17,363 sq kmland: 17,203 sq kmwater: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 mhighest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources:asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small goldand diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use: arable land: 10.25% permanent crops: 0.81% other: 88.94% (2005)
Irrigated land:500 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:drought
Environment - current issues:limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations beingdepleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soildegradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
People Swaziland
Population:1,136,334note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 40.7% (male 233,169/female 229,103)15-64 years: 55.8% (male 303,260/female 330,460)65 years and over: 3.6% (male 16,071/female 24,271) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.5 yearsmale: 17.8 yearsfemale: 19.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.23% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:27.41 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:29.74 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 71.85 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 75.25 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 68.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 32.62 yearsmale: 32.1 yearsfemale: 33.17 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.53 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:38.8% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:220,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:17,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Swazi(s)adjective: Swazi
Ethnic groups:African 97%, European 3%
Religions:Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestralworship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai,Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%
Languages:English (official, government business conducted in English),siSwati (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 81.6%male: 82.6%female: 80.8% (2003 est.)
Government Swaziland
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Swazilandconventional short form: Swazilandlocal long form: Umbuso weSwatinilocal short form: eSwatini
Government type:monarchy
Capital:name: Mbabanegeographic coordinates: 26 18 S, 31 06 Etime difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)note: Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
Administrative divisions:4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence:6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution:the first constitution was signed into law in July 2005 and isscheduled to be implemented in January 2006
Legal system:based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts andSwazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age
Executive branch:chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14November 2003)cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed bythe monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of theSenate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and theHouse of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to beheld October 2008)election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on anonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the localcouncil of each constituency and for each constituency the threecandidates with the most votes in the first round of voting arenarrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch:High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointedby the monarch
Political parties and leaders:The status of political parties, previously banned, is unclearunder the new (2006)Constitution and currently being debated - thefollowing are considered political associations; Imbokodvo NationalMovement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [ObedDLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO[Mario MASUKU, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC,MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO,UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ephraim Mandla HLOPHEchancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lewis LUCKE embassy: Central Bank Building, Mahlokahla Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445 FAX: [268] 404-5959
Flag description:three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a largeblack and white shield covering two spears and a staff decoratedwith feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Economy Swaziland
Economy - overview:In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupiesmore than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector hasdiversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remainimportant foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined inimportance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone minesremaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a shortborder with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on SouthAfrica from which it receives more than nine-tenths of its importsand to which it sends 60% of its exports. Customs duties from theSouthern African Customs Union and worker remittances from SouthAfrica substantially supplement domestically earned income. Thegovernment is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreigninvestment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimesfloods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth ofthe population needed emergency food aid in 2004-05 because ofdrought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has beeninfected by HIV/AIDS.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.91 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.212 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$5,200 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.8% industry: 51.4% services: 36.8% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 155,700 (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:40% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:69% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 1%highest 10%: 50.2% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.1% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):15.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $921.8 millionexpenditures: $1.019 billion; including capital expenditures of $147million (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples,sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Industries:mining (coal, raw asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drinkconcentrates, textile and apparel
Industrial production growth rate:3.7% (FY95/96)
Electricity - production:458 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.123 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:697 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2004)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-23.13 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$2.201 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn,refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
Exports - partners:South Africa 59.7%, EU 8.8%, US 8.8%, Mozambique 6.2% (2004)
Imports:$2.274 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:South Africa 95.6%, EU 0.9%, Japan 0.9%, Singapore 0.3% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$228.5 million (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$357 million (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$104 million (2001)
Currency (code):lilangeni (SZL)
Currency code:SZL
Exchange rates:emalangeni per US dollar - 6.6 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597(2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407 (2002)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Swaziland
Telephones - main lines in use:35,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:200,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced systemdomestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines andlow-capacity, microwave radio relayinternational: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2004)
Radios:170,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:12 (includes 7 relay stations) (2004)
Televisions:23,000 (2000)
Internet country code:.sz
Internet hosts:2,472 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2002)
Internet users:36,000 (2005)
Transportation Swaziland
Airports: 18 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2006)
Railways: total: 301 km narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 3,594 km paved: 1,078 km unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)
Military Swaziland
Military branches:Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes airwing), Royal Swaziland Police Force (RSPF) (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; both sexes areeligible for military service (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 227,617 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 89,609 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$41.6 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Swaziland
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Sweden
Introduction Sweden
Background:A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has notparticipated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutralitywas preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economicformula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfareelements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline overthe past several years has allowed the country to weather economicvagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected theintroduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
Geography Sweden
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 449,964 sq kmland: 410,934 sq kmwater: 39,030 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline:3,218 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion ofstraits to high seas)exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlinescontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partlycloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain:mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad-2.41 mhighest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources:iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium,arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,150 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf ofBothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Environment - current issues:acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea andthe Baltic Sea
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and NorthSeas
People Sweden
Population:9,016,596 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.7% (male 775,433/female 732,773)15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,001,928/female 2,918,242)65 years and over: 17.6% (male 689,756/female 898,464) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 40.9 yearsmale: 39.8 yearsfemale: 42 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.16% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:10.27 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 2.76 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 2.92 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 80.51 yearsmale: 78.29 yearsfemale: 82.87 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.66 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3,600 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Swede(s)adjective: Swedish
Ethnic groups:indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities;foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs,Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Religions:Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish,Buddhist
Languages:Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Sweden
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Swedenconventional short form: Swedenlocal long form: Konungariket Sverigelocal short form: Sverige
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:name: Stockholmgeographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 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:21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas,Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar,Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane,Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens,Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands
Independence:6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
National holiday:National Day, 6 June
Constitution:1 January 1975
Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973);Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter ofthe monarch (born 14 July 1977)head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5October 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; electionlast held 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)election results: Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175out of 349 votes
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected bypopular vote on a proportional representation basis to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 17 September 2006 (next to be held September2010)election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%,Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, People's Party 8.0%, ChristianDemocrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party -Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, People's Party28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by theprime minister and the cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [GoranHAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but partyspokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Partyor V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Moderate Party (conservative)[Fredrik REINFELDT]; People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; SocialDemocratic Party [Goran PERSSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN,EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM(guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, ParisClub, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL,UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer),WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gunnar LUND chancery: 902 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael M. WOOD embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64
Flag description:blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag;the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in thestyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Sweden
Economy - overview:Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century,Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixedsystem of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Ithas a modern distribution system, excellent internal and externalcommunications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, andiron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily orientedtoward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% ofindustrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50%of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP and2% of employment. The government's commitment to fiscal disciplineresulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cutby more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown,declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank(the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation targetof 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up during2004-06. Presumably because of generous sick-leave benefits, Swedishworkers report in sick more often than other Europeans. In September2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system,concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$285.1 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$371.5 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$31,600 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.1% industry: 28.1% services: 70.9% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 4.59 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 24% services: 74% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:5.6% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.4% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):17.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $222 billionexpenditures: $210.5 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:46.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Industries:iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephoneparts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods,motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:4.3% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:150.5 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% nuclear: 43% other: 2.3% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:137.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:17.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:15.6 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:3,208 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:362,400 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:203,700 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:553,100 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:979 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:979 million cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$28.61 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$173.9 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, ironand steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 10.6%, Germany 10.2%, Norway 8.7%, UK 7.3%, Denmark 6.5%,Finland 5.7%, France 4.9%, Netherlands 4.5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005)
Imports:$151.8 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motorvehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:Germany 17.6%, Denmark 8.9%, Norway 7.8%, UK 6.6%, Netherlands6.2%, Finland 5.8%, France 5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$22.26 billion (August 2006 est.)
Debt - external:$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)
Currency (code):Swedish krona (SEK)
Currency code:SEK
Exchange rates:Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.43321 (2006), 7.4731 (2005),7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003), 9.7371 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use:6.447 million (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:8.436 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent domestic and internationalfacilities; automatic systemdomestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voicetraffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry someadditional telephone channelsinternational: country code - 46; 5 submarine coaxial cables;satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat,and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Swedenshares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries(Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:8.25 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:4.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:.se
Internet hosts:2,958,435 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):29 (2000)
Internet users:6.8 million (2005)
Transportation Sweden
Airports: 255 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 155 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 80 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 36 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 91 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 798 km (2006)
Railways:total: 11,481 kmstandard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (9,400 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 424,947 kmpaved: 129,651 km (including 1,591 km of expressways)unpaved: 295,296 km (2004)
Waterways:2,052 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 198 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,703,834 GRT/2,382,754 DWTby type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 28, chemical tanker 47, container 5,passenger 3, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/rolloff 31, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 21foreign-owned: 37 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 3,Italy 7, Japan 2, Norway 7, US 1)registered in other countries: 161 (Bahamas 6, Bermuda 14, CaymanIslands 9, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 3, Denmark 1, France 2, FrenchSouthern and Antarctic Lands 9, Gibraltar 5, Isle of Man 1, Liberia8, Malta 3, Netherlands 26, Netherlands Antilles 5, Norway 28,Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 12, UK 15,US 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Oxelosund,Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg
Military Sweden
Military branches:Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal SwedishNavy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age of 47 (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 19-49: 1,838,427females age 19-49: 1,774,659 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 19-49: 1,493,668females age 19-49: 1,441,257 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 58,724females age 19-49: 55,954 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$5.51 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.5% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Sweden
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Switzerland
Introduction Switzerland
Background:The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive allianceamong three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joinedthe original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independencefrom the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Switzerland's sovereignty andneutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, andthe country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. Thepolitical and economic integration of Europe over the past halfcentury, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and internationalorganizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with itsneighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UNmember until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN andinternational organizations, but retains a strong commitment toneutrality.
Geography Switzerland
Location:Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates:47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 41,290 sq kmland: 39,770 sq kmwater: 1,520 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:total: 1,852 kmborder countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowywinters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain:mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a centralplateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 mhighest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources:hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use: arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005)
Irrigated land:250 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Environment - current issues:air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acidrain; water pollution from increased use of agriculturalfertilizers; loss of biodiversity
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, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along withsoutheastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, hasthe highest elevations in the Alps
People Switzerland
Population:7,523,934 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.3% (male 637,585/female 591,297)15-64 years: 68.1% (male 2,585,062/female 2,539,345)65 years and over: 15.6% (male 480,198/female 690,447) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 40.1 yearsmale: 39 yearsfemale: 41.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.43% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:3.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 80.51 yearsmale: 77.69 yearsfemale: 83.48 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.43 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:13,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Swiss (singular and plural)adjective: Swiss
Ethnic groups:German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Religions:Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, otherChristian 0.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1%(2000 census)
Languages:German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian(official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000census)note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all nationallanguages, but only the first three are official languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Switzerland
Country name:conventional long form: Swiss Confederationconventional short form: Switzerlandlocal long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German);Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera(Italian)
Government type:formally a confederation, but similar in structure to a federalrepublic
Capital:name: Berngeographic coordinates: 46 57 N, 7 26 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:26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular- cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau,Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft,Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura,Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen,Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
Independence:1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
National holiday:Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution:revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officiallyentered into force 1 January 2000
Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of generalobligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January2007); Vice President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2007); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January2007); Vice President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2007)cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal(in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the FederalAssembly usually from among its own members for a four-year termelections: president and vice president elected by the FederalAssembly from among the members of the Federal Council for aone-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election lastheld 13 December 2006 (next to be held December 2007)election results: Micheline CALMY-REY elected president; percent ofFederal Assembly vote - 76.5%; Pascal COUCHEPIN elected vicepresident; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 86.5%
Legislative branch:bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German),Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian)consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseildes Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats- consists of two representatives from each canton and one from eachhalf canton; members serve four-year terms) and the National Councilor Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), ConsiglioNazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popularvote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-yearterms)elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons 19 October2003 (each canton determines when the next election will be held);National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be heldOctober 2007)election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 14, SVP 8, SPS 6, other 3;National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 23.3%,FDP 17.3%, CVP 14.4%, Greens 7.4%, other small parties all under 5%;seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 54, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13,other small parties 14
Judicial branch:Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by theFederal Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti EcologisteSuisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, PartidaEcologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER]; Christian DemocraticPeople's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz orCVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, PartitoDemocratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, PartidaCristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY,president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-DemokratischePartei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD,Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Fulvio PELLI,president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei derSchweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito SocialistaSvizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS)[Hans-Juerg FEHR, president]; Swiss People's Party (SchweizerischeVolkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, UnioneDemocratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC)[Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA,ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU,ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO,UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Urs ZISWILERchancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, NewYork, San Franciscoconsulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CONEWAY embassy: Jubilaumsstrasse 93, CH-3005 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
Flag description:red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center thatdoes not extend to the edges of the flag
Economy Switzerland
Economy - overview:Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern marketeconomy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and aper capita GDP larger than that of the big Western Europeaneconomies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economicpractices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance theirinternational competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safehaven forinvestors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy andhas kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting theanemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth stagnated duringthe 2001-03 period, improved during 2004-05 to 1.8% annually and to2.9% in 2006. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than halfthe EU average.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$252.9 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$386.8 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$33,600 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 34% services: 64.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 3.81 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 26.3% services: 69.1% (1998)
Unemployment rate:3.3% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:33.1 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.2% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $141 billionexpenditures: $139.1 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:51% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Industries:machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments
Industrial production growth rate:6.5% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:61.97 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 59.5% nuclear: 37.1% other: 2% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:56.93 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:27.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:27.1 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:2,241 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:268,100 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:10,420 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:289,500 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:3.311 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:3.311 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$50.44 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$166.3 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products
Exports - partners:Germany 19.4%, US 10.9%, Italy 9.1%, France 8.7%, UK 5.4%, Spain4.1% (2005)
Imports:$162.3 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products,textiles
Imports - partners:Germany 31.6%, Italy 10.5%, France 10%, US 5.6%, Netherlands 4.8%,Austria 4.6%, UK 4.4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$38.29 billion (August 2006 est.)
Debt - external:$1.077 trillion (30 June 2006)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.1 billion (1995)
Currency (code):Swiss franc (CHF)
Currency code:CHF
Exchange rates:Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2508 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435(2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Switzerland
Telephones - main lines in use:5.123 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:6.847 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent domestic and international servicesdomestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networksinternational: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:7.1 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:3.31 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ch
Internet hosts:2,442,659 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000)
Internet users:5,097,822 (2005)
Transportation Switzerland
Airports: 65 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 42 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 16 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2006)
Heliports:2 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 1,831 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2006)
Railways:total: 4,583 kmstandard gauge: 3,234 km 1.435-m gauge (3,223 km electrified)narrow gauge: 1,339 km 1.000-m gauge (1,338 km electrified); 10 km0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 71,297 kmpaved: 71,297 km (including 1,728 of expressways) (2004)
Waterways:65 km (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden andSchaffhausen-Bodensee) (2003)
Merchant marine:total: 27 ships (1000 GRT or over) 492,434 GRT/810,559 DWTby type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 10, chemical tanker 3, container 4,specialized tanker 1foreign-owned: 2 (Monaco 2)registered in other countries: 320 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Bahamas2, Belize 1, Bermuda 2, Cyprus 4, France 2, French Southern andAntarctic Lands 1, Germany 1, Indonesia 3, Liberia 7, Malta 21,Marshall Islands 13, Mauritius 2, Morocco 1, Panama 226, Portugal 3,Russia 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Tonga 1, Turkey 1, UK3, Vanuatu 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Basel
Military Switzerland
Military branches:Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (SchweizerLuftwaffe); Switzerland has no navy, but maintains a fleet ofmilitary patrol boats to patrol Swiss borders (2006)
Military service age and obligation: the Swiss Constitution states that "every Swiss male is obliged to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve for at least 260 days in the armed forces; 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscripts receive 15 weeks of compulsory training, followed by 10 intermittent recalls for training over the next 22 years; women are accepted on a voluntary basis but are not drafted (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 19-49: 1,707,694females age 19-49: 1,662,099 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 19-49: 1,375,889females age 19-49: 1,342,945 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 46,319females age 19-49: 43,829 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.548 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Switzerland