Flag description:three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, andgreen; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars islocated in the center of the white stripe
Economy Tajikistan
Economy - overview:Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15former Soviet republics. Only 6% of the land area is arable; cottonis the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited inamount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industryconsists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, andsmall obsolete factories mostly in light industry and foodprocessing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the alreadyweak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline inindustrial and agricultural production. While Tajikistan hasexperienced steady economic growth since 1997, nearly two-thirds ofthe population continue to live in abject poverty. Economic growthreached 10.6% in 2004, but dropped to 8% in 2005, and to 7% in 2006.Tajikistan's economic situation, however, remains fragile due touneven implementation of structural reforms, weak governance,widespread unemployment, and the external debt burden. Continuedprivatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises couldincrease productivity. A debt restructuring agreement was reachedwith Russia in December 2002, including a $250 million write-off ofTajikistan's $300 million debt to Russia. Tajikistan ranks third inthe world in terms of water resources per head. A proposedinvestment to finish the hydropower dams Rogun and Sangtuda I and IIwould substantially add to electricity production, which could beexported for profit. If finished, Rogun will be the world's tallestdam. In 2006, Tajikistan was the recipient of substantial ShanghaiCooperation Organization infrastructure development credits toimprove its roads and electricity transmission network.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$9.405 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.066 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,300 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.7% industry: 28.5% services: 48.8% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 3.7 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 67.2% industry: 7.5% services: 25.3% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:12% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:64% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25.2% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:34.7 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.5% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $527.5 millionexpenditures: $622 million; including capital expenditures of $86million (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetableoil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers
Industrial production growth rate:8.2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:16.5 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.9% hydro: 98.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:15.7 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:4.459 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:4.81 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:252.8 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:28,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:39 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:1.389 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:1.35 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Current account balance:$-73.95 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$1.16 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles
Exports - partners:Netherlands 46.6%, Turkey 15.8%, Russia 9.1%, Uzbekistan 7.3%,Latvia 4.9%, Iran 4% (2005)
Imports:$1.513 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery andequipment, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Russia 19.3%, Kazakhstan 12.7%, Uzbekistan 11.5%, Azerbaijan 8.6%,China 7%, Ukraine 6.2%, Romania 4.6%, Turkmenistan 4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$209.2 million (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$829 million (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$67 million from US (2005)
Currency (code):somoni
Currency code:TJS
Exchange rates:Tajikistani somoni per US dollar - 3.2475 (2006), 3.1166 (2005),2.9705 (2004), 3.0614 (2003), 2.7641 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Tajikistan
Telephones - main lines in use:245,200 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:265,000 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: poorly developed and not well maintained; manytowns are not linked to the national networkdomestic: the domestic telecommunications network has historicallybeen under-funded and poorly maintained; main line availability hasnot changed significantly since 1998; cellular telephony is rare andcoverage remains limited.international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwaveradio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to theMoscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat tointernational gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earthstations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations:AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002)
Radios:1.291 million (1991)
Television broadcast stations:6 (2006)
Televisions:820,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.tj
Internet hosts:98 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):4 (2002)
Internet users:5,000 (2005)
Transportation Tajikistan
Airports: 40 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 22 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2006)
Railways: total: 482 km broad gauge: 482 km 1.520-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 27,767 km (2000)
Waterways:200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2006)
Military Tajikistan
Military branches:Ground Troops, Air and Air Defense Troops, Mobile Troops (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript serviceobligation - two years (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,556,415females age 18-49: 1,568,780 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,244,941females age 18-49: 1,297,891 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 87,846females age 18-49: 85,869 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$35.4 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:3.9% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Tajikistan
Disputes - international:in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation ofthe revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talkscontinue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields;disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan
Illicit drugs:major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and,to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicitcultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistanseizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and standsthird worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium)
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Tanzania
Introduction Tanzania
Background:Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzaniain 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the firstdemocratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar'ssemi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to twocontentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despiteinternational observers' claims of voting irregularities.
Geography Tanzania
Location:Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya andMozambique
Geographic coordinates:6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 945,087 sq kmland: 886,037 sq kmwater: 59,050 sq kmnote: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Area - comparative:slightly larger than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 3,861 kmborder countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline:1,424 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain:plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Natural resources:hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones,gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use: arable land: 4.23% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 94.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,840 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought
Environment - current issues:soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction ofcoral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affectedmarginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting andtrade, especially for ivory
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of thelargest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world'ssecond-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (theworld's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest
People Tanzania
Population:37,445,392note: 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: 43.7% (male 8,204,593/female 8,176,489)15-64 years: 53.6% (male 9,906,446/female 10,178,066)65 years and over: 2.6% (male 422,674/female 557,124) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 17.7 yearsmale: 17.5 yearsfemale: 18 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.83% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:37.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:16.39 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-3.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 96.48 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 105.64 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 87.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 45.64 yearsmale: 44.93 yearsfemale: 46.37 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.97 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:8.8% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1.6 million (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:160,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, andtyphoid fevervectorborne diseases: malaria, Rift Valley fever and plague are highrisks in some locationswater contact disease: schistosomiasis (2007)
Nationality:noun: Tanzanian(s)adjective: Tanzanian
Ethnic groups:mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of morethan 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, andArab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
Religions:mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%;Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
Languages:Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili inZanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce,administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken inZanzibar), many local languagesnote: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu peopleliving in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahiliis Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a varietyof sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become thelingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language ofmost people is one of the local languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili),English, or Arabictotal population: 78.2%male: 85.9%female: 70.7% (2003 est.)
Government Tanzania
Country name:conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzaniaconventional short form: Tanzanialocal long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzanialocal short form: Tanzaniaformer: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Dar es Salaamgeographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 Etime difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)note: legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which isplanned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meetsthere on a regular basis
Administrative divisions:26 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma,Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza,Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida,Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, ZanzibarUrban/West
Independence:26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (fromUK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamedUnited Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday:Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)
Constitution:25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system:based on English common law; judicial review of legislative actslimited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005);Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note -the president is both chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001);note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentnote: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government formatters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was reelected tothat office on 30 October 2005cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the membersof the National Assemblyelections: president and vice president elected on the same ballotby popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for a second term);election last held 14 December 2005(next to be held in December2010); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Jakaya KIKWETE elected president; percent of vote- Jakaya KIKWETE 80.3%, Ibrahim LIPUMBA 11.7%, Freeman MBOWE 5.9%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats - 232 elected bypopular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, 5 tomembers of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; members servefive-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply tothe entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts lawsthat apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House ofRepresentatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the ZanzibarHouse of Representatives has 50 seats, directly elected by universalsuffrage to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December2010)election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - CCM 206, CUF 19, CHADEMA 5, other 2, womenappointed by the president 37, Zanzibar representatives 5; ZanzibarHouse of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - CCM 30, CUF 19; 1 seat was nullified with a rerun to takeplace soon
Judicial branch:Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court ofAppeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court(consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by thepresident; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts;Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to thehigher courts)
Political parties and leaders:Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy andDevelopment) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM(Revolutionary Party) [Jakaya Mrisho KIKWETE]; Civic United Front orCUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party [Christopher MTIKLA](unregistered); Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine LyatongaMREME]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UN SecurityCouncil (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIS,UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Mhando DARAJA chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael L. RETZER embassy: 140 Msese Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (22) 2666-010 through 2666-015 FAX: [255] (22) 2666-701, 2668-501
Flag description:divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lowerhoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and thelower triangle is blue
Economy Tanzania
Economy - overview:Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economydepends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almost half ofGDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force.Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated cropsto only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured theprocessing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. TheWorld Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donorshave provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economicinfrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantialincrease in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reformshave helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continueddonor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDPgrowth of nearly 6% in 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$29.25 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$13.13 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$800 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43.3% industry: 17.7% services: 39% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 19.35 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:36% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 30.1% (1993)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:38.2 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.9% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.431 billionexpenditures: $3.001 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:30.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made fromchrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava(tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine);diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oilrefining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate:8.4% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production:2.562 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.9% hydro: 81.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:2.383 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:23,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$-906 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$1.831 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton
Exports - partners:China 10.2%, Canada 8.7%, India 7.3%, Netherlands 5.2%, Japan 4.5%,Kenya 4.4%, Germany 4.3% (2005)
Imports:$3.18 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrialraw materials, crude oil
Imports - partners:South Africa 13.1%, China 9.5%, India 7%, UAE 6%, Kenya 5.1%, UK4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$2.375 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$4.61 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$1.2 billion (2001)
Currency (code):Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Currency code:TZS
Exchange rates:Tanzanian shillings per US dollar - 1,259.54 (2006), 1,128.93(2005), 1,089.33 (2004), 1,038.42 (2003), 966.58 (2002)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Tanzania
Telephones - main lines in use:148,400 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.942 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: fair system operating below capacity and beingmodernized for better service; very small aperture terminal (VSAT)system under constructiondomestic: trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radiorelay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links beingmade digitalinternational: country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:8.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (1999)
Televisions:103,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.tz
Internet hosts:8,609 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:333,000 (2005)
Transportation Tanzania
Airports: 124 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 113 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 33 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 254 km; oil 872 km (2006)
Railways: total: 3,690 km narrow gauge: 969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 78,891 km paved: 6,808 km unpaved: 72,083 km (2003)
Waterways:Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues ofcommerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 9 ships (1000 GRT or over) 24,801 GRT/31,507 DWTby type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4registered in other countries: 2 (Honduras 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Zanzibar City
Military Tanzania
Military branches:Tanzanian People's Defense Force (JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing, AirDefense Command (includes air wing), National Service
Military service age and obligation: 15 years of age for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for compulsory military service upon graduation from secondary school; conscript service obligation - two years (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 7,422,869 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 3,879,630 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$21.2 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.2% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Tanzania
Disputes - international:Tanzania still hosts more than a half-million refugees, more thanany other African country, mainly from Burundi and the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo, despite the international community's effortsat repatriation; disputes with Malawi over the boundary in LakeNyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 393,611 (Burundi), 150,112(Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2006)
Illicit drugs:growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asianheroin and South American cocaine destined for South African,European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound forsouthern Africa; money laundering remains a problem
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Thailand
Introduction Thailand
Background:A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century.Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asiancountry never to have been taken over by a European power. Abloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. Inalliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US allyfollowing the conflict. Thailand is currently facing separatistviolence in its southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces.
Geography Thailand
Location:Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf ofThailand, southeast of Burma
Geographic coordinates:15 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 514,000 sq kmland: 511,770 sq kmwater: 2,230 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries:total: 4,863 kmborder countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,Malaysia 506 km
Coastline:3,219 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May toSeptember); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain:central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 mhighest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Natural resources:tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish,gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land
Land use: arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005)
Irrigated land:49,860 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of thewater table; droughts
Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
People Thailand
Population:64,631,595note: 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: 22% (male 7,284,068/female 6,958,632)15-64 years: 70% (male 22,331,312/female 22,880,588)65 years and over: 8% (male 2,355,190/female 2,821,805) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 31.9 yearsmale: 31.1 yearsfemale: 32.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.68% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:13.87 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.04 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: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 19.49 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 20.77 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 72.25 yearsmale: 69.95 yearsfemale: 74.68 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.64 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:570,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:58,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis Avectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis,and plague are high risks in some locationsanimal contact disease: rabieswater contact disease: leptospirosisnote: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identifiedamong birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses anegligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizenswho have close contact with birds (2007)
Nationality:noun: Thai (singular and plural)adjective: Thai
Ethnic groups:Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions:Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000census)
Languages:Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic andregional dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.6%male: 94.9%female: 90.5% (2002)
Government Thailand
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailandconventional short form: Thailandlocal long form: Ratcha Anachak Thailocal short form: Prathet Thaiformer: Siam
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:name: Bangkokgeographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 Etime difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, AngThong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi,Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, KamphaengPhet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon(Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, MahaSarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom,Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan,Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi,Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket,Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, RoiEt, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, SamutSongkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla,Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, UbonRatchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence:1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday:Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)
Constitution:constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997; abrogatedon 19 September 2006 after coup; interim constitution promulgated on1 October 2006; coup leaders have promised new constitution by mid2007
Legal system:based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)head of government: Interim Prime Minister SURAYUT Chulanon (since 1October 2006); Interim Deputy Prime Ministers KHOSIT Panpiemras(since 9 October 2006); PRIDIYATHORN Devakula (since 9 October 2006)note: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat was overthrown on 19September 2006 in a coup led by General SONTHI Boonyaratglincabinet: Council of Ministersnote: there is also a Privy Councilelections: none; monarch is hereditary; according to 1997constitution, prime minister was designated from among members ofHouse of Representatives; following national elections for House ofRepresentatives, leader of party that could organize a majoritycoalition usually was appointed prime minister by king
Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senateor Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to servesix-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha PhuthaenRatsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms); after coup in September 2006, coup leadersappointed an interim National Assembly with 250 members to act asSenate and House of Representativeselections: Senate - last held 19 April 2006; House ofRepresentatives - last valid election held 6 February 2005;elections held on 2 April 2006 invalidated by court ruling; coupleaders scheduled next general election by about October 2007election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty - NA; House of Representatives - (2005 election) percent ofvote by party - NA; seats by party - TRT 376, DP 97, TNP 25, PP 2
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa];People's Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK Laothamatas]; ThaiNation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA]; ThaiRak Thai Party or TRT [CHATURON Chaisang]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC,MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE(partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU,WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador VIRASAK Futrakulchancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC20007-3681telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCEembassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330mailing address: APO AP 96546telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
Flag description:five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width),white, and red
Economy Thailand
Economy - overview:With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy,and pro-investment policies, Thailand appears to have fullyrecovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The country wasone of East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Boosted by increasedconsumption and strong export growth, the Thai economy grew 6.9% in2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy. Bangkok haspursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners inan effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. In lateDecember 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand andcaused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces ofKrabi, Phangnga, and Phuket. In 2006, investment stagnated asinvestors, spooked by the Thaksin administration's politicalproblems, stayed on the sidelines. The military coup in Septemberbrought in a new economic team, led by the former central bankgovernor. In December, the Thai Board of Investment reported thevalue of investment applications from January to November haddeclined by 27% year-on-year. On the positive side, exports haveperformed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006.Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production- and farm output are driving these gains.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$585.9 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$196.6 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$9,100 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 44.9% services: 45.2% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 36.41 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 49% industry: 14% services: 37% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:2.1% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:10% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:51.1 (2002)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.1% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):28.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $40.31 billionexpenditures: $40.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $5billion (2006 est.)
Public debt:43.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Industries:tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages,tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electricappliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture,plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largesttungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate:6% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:121.7 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% nuclear: 0% other: 2.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:116.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:372 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:3.388 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:230,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:900,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:583 million bbl (November 2003)
Natural gas - production:22.36 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:29.86 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:7.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:377.7 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$-899.4 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$123.5 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry,automobiles, computers and electrical appliances
Exports - partners:US 15.4%, Japan 13.6%, China 8.3%, Singapore 6.9%, Hong Kong 5.6%,Malaysia 5.2% (2005)
Imports:$119.3 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumergoods, fuels
Imports - partners:Japan 22%, China 9.4%, US 7.4%, Malaysia 6.8%, UAE 4.8%, Singapore4.6% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$59.06 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$57.83 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$72 million (2002)
Currency (code):baht (THB)
Currency code:THB
Exchange rates:baht per US dollar - 38.2472 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004),41.485 (2003), 42.96 (2002)
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Thailand
Telephones - main lines in use:7.035 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:27.379 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areaslike Bangkok; WTO requirement for privatization of telecom sector isplanned to be complete by 2006domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned andcommercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly andoutpacing fixed linesinternational: country code - 66; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); landing country forAPCN submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)
Radios:13.96 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:111 (2006)
Televisions:15.19 million (1997)
Internet country code:.th
Internet hosts:938,784 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):15 (2000)
Internet users:8.42 million (2005)
Transportation Thailand
Airports: 108 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 5 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 26 (2006)
Heliports:3 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 3,760 km; refined products 379 km (2006)
Railways: total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 57,403 km paved: 56,542 km unpaved: 861 km (2000)
Waterways: 4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 400 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,808,509 GRT/4,317,320 DWTby type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 145, chemical tanker 14, container21, liquefied gas 29, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleumtanker 91, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 1foreign-owned: 45 (China 1, Egypt 1, Indonesia 1, Japan 4, Norway30, Singapore 6, UK 2)registered in other countries: 34 (Bahamas 1, Mongolia 1, Panama 9,Singapore 22, Tuvalu 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha
Military Thailand
Military branches:Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN, includes Royal ThaiMarine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Knogtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; conscript service obligation - two years; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 21-49: 14,903,855females age 21-49: 15,265,854 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 21-49: 10,396,032females age 21-49: 11,487,690 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 526,276females age 21-49: 514,396 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.775 billion (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.8% (2003)
Transnational Issues Thailand
Disputes - international:separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southernprovinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stemterrorist activities; southeast Asian states have enhanced bordersurveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue oncompletion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over severalislands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committeetalks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels,refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006,130,000 Karen, Hmong and other refugees and 15,000 asylum seekersfrom Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historicboundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thaiencroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access toPreah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructingthe Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to haltconstruction of 13 dams on the Salween River which flows throughChina, Burma and Thailand
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 116,499 (Burma) (2006)
Illicit drugs:a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit transitpoint for heroin en route to the international drug market fromBurma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area ofcannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboringcountries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradicationefforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role inmethamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumerof methamphetamine since the 1990s
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Togo
Introduction Togo
Background:French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA,installed as military ruler in 1967, continued to rule well into the21st century. Despite the facade of multiparty elections institutedin the early 1990s, the government continued to be dominated byPresident EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) partyhas maintained power almost continually since 1967. Togo has comeunder fire from international organizations for human rights abusesand is plagued by political unrest. While most bilateral andmultilateral aid to Togo remains frozen, the EU initiated a partialresumption of cooperation and development aid to Togo in late 2004based upon commitments by Togo to expand opportunities for politicalopposition and liberalize portions of the economy. Upon his death inFebruary 2005, President EYADEMA was succeeded by his son FaureGNASSINGBE. The succession, supported by the military and incontravention of the nation's constitution, was challenged bypopular protest and a threat of sanctions from regional leaders.GNASSINGBE succumbed to pressure and in April 2005 held electionsthat legitimized his succession. Legislative elections are scheduledfor June 2007.
Geography Togo
Location:Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin andGhana
Geographic coordinates:8 00 N, 1 10 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 56,785 sq kmland: 54,385 sq kmwater: 2,400 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km
Coastline: 56 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain:gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau;low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Agou 986 m
Natural resources:phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land
Land use: arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005)
Irrigated land:70 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north duringwinter; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas