2,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (2001)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006)
Radios:
1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders); cable television is available in Stanley (2006)
Televisions:
1,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.fk
Internet hosts:
91 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
1,900 (2002)
TransportationFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Airports:
6 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Stanley
MilitaryFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military expenditures:
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational IssuesFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international:
Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands
IntroductionFaroe Islands
Background:
The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948.
GeographyFaroe Islands
Location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative:
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,117 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
PeopleFaroe Islands
Population:
48,668 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.9% (male 5,489/female 5,166) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,650/female 14,482) 65 years and over: 14.1% (male 3,233/female 3,648) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.7 years male: 36 years female: 37.5 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.376% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
13.25 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.29 years male: 76.86 years female: 81.89 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.45 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data)
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
GovernmentFaroe Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:
Government type:
Capital:
name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 24 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD];People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL];Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj LeoJOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) other: conservationists
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
EconomyFaroe Islands
Economy - overview:
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1 billion (2001 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$31,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999)
Labor force:
24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 33% industry: 33% services: 34% (October 2000)
Unemployment rate:
2.1% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $588 million expenditures: $623 million (2005)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production:
295 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
274.4 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
4,628 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
4,636 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Exports:
$634 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners:
Denmark 29.6%, UK 24.5%, Norway 13.3%, Nigeria 10.5%, Netherlands 6.8% (2007)
Imports:
$751 million c.i.f. (2006)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)
Imports - partners:
Denmark 51.9%, Norway 21.6%, Sweden 5%, UK 4.6% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005)
Debt - external:
$64 million (1999)
Currency (code):
Danish krone (DKK)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003)
CommunicationsFaroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
23,000 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
50,000 (2006)
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
26,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
Televisions:
15,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.fo
Internet hosts:
8,516 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
34,000 (2006)
TransportationFaroe Islands
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 463 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 12 by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Torshavn, Vagur
MilitaryFaroe Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,735 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 400 female: 387 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational IssuesFaroe Islands
Disputes - international:
because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Fiji
IntroductionFiji
Background:
Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president. In January 2007, BAINIMARAMA was appointed interim prime minister.
GeographyFiji
Location:
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 18,270 sq km land: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,129 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
28.6 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%) per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
PeopleFiji
Population:
931,741 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.6% (male 145,430/female 139,498) 15-64 years: 64.8% (male 302,460/female 301,344) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 19,413/female 23,596) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.2 years male: 24.7 years female: 25.7 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.388% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
22.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.44 years male: 67.9 years female: 73.1 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.68 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
600 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:
Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other PacificIslanders, Chinese) (2007 census)
Religions:
Christian 53% (Methodist 34.5%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Assembly of God 3.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.6%, other 4.9%), Hindu 34% (Sanatan 25%, Arya Samaj 1.2%, other 7.8%), Muslim 7% (Sunni 4.2%. other 2.8%), other or unspecified 5.6%, none 0.3% (1996 census)
Languages:
English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
6.5% of GDP (2004)
GovernmentFiji
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands conventional short form: Fiji local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti local short form: Fiji/Viti
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Suva (on Viti Levu) geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Independence:
10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:
enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998
Legal system:
based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18 July 2000); note - ILOILOVATU was reaffirmed as president by the Great Council of Chiefs in a statement issued on 22 December, and reappointed by the coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA in January 2007 head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; the president appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president; election last held 8 March 2006 election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court ofAppeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji DemocraticParty or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian DemocratAlliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party orFAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [SitiveniRABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji LaborParty or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP(became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP;Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR;National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE];Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party ofNational Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth orPOTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL[Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU,ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); note - Penijamini R. LOMALOMA (Charge d'Affaires) chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven McGANN embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081
Flag description:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
EconomyFiji
Economy - overview:
Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to 500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. The coup has created a difficult business climate. Tourist arrivals for 2007 are estimated to be down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the service sector. In July 2007 the Reserve Bank of Fiji announced the economy was expected to contract by 3.1% in 2007. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in 2006. The EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.079 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.409 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-4.4% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,900 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
117,500 (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (1999)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.363 billion expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.8% (2007)
Central bank discount rate:
9.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.01% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.042 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.088 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.948 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Industries:
tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
928 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
1.016 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
9,971 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
2,848 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
10,900 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
-$507 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.202 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Exports - partners:
US 17.3%, UK 11.3%, Australia 10%, Samoa 5.4%, Tonga 4.7%, NZ 4.5%,Japan 4.1% (2007)
Imports:
$3.12 billion c.i.f. (2006)
Imports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Singapore 30.4%, Australia 21.6%, NZ 17.7%, China 4.5% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$63.96 million (2005)
Debt - external:
$127 million (2004 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$586.7 million (2005)
Currency (code):
Fijian dollar (FJD)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003)
CommunicationsFiji
Telephones - main lines in use:
108,400 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
437,000 (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is about 60 per 100 persons international: country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
541,476 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
Televisions:
88,110 (1999)
Internet country code:
.fj
Internet hosts:
12,592 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
80,000 (2006)
TransportationFiji
Airports:
28 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 18 (2007)
Railways:
total: 597 km narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)
Waterways:
203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 9 by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Lautoka, Suva
MilitaryFiji
Military branches:
Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; reserve obligation to age 45 (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 242,567 females age 16-49: 238,556 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 189,282 females age 16-49: 202,350 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 9,077 female: 8,728 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational IssuesFiji
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Finland
IntroductionFinland
Background:
Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
GeographyFinland
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 338,145 sq km land: 304,473 sq km water: 33,672 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,654 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline:
1,250 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources:
timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005)
Irrigated land:
640 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
110 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%) per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
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,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
PeopleFinland
Population:
5,244,749 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.6% (male 443,738/female 427,875) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,232/female 1,731,808) 65 years and over: 16.6% (male 349,826/female 518,270) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.8 years male: 40.3 years female: 43.4 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.112% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
10.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
10 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.82 years male: 75.31 years female: 82.46 years (2008 est.)