0 (2 repeaters rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997)
Televisions:
4,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.pm
Internet hosts:
0 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
TransportationSaint Pierre and Miquelon
Airports:
2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 117 km paved: 80 km unpaved: 37 km (2000)
Ports and terminals:
Saint-Pierre
MilitarySaint Pierre and Miquelon
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 61 female: 58 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational IssuesSaint Pierre and Miquelon
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
IntroductionSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Background:
Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.
GeographySaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North AtlanticOcean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
84 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain:
volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, cropland
Land use:
arable land: 17.95% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 64.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.01 per capita: 83 cu m/yr (1995)
Natural hazards:
hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat
Environment - current issues:
pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays
PeopleSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Population:
118,432 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.1% (male 15,161/female 14,600) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 41,855/female 39,105) 65 years and over: 6.5% (male 3,402/female 4,309) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 28 years male: 27.8 years female: 28.1 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.231% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
15.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
5.96 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-7.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.34 years male: 72.42 years female: 76.31 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.79 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic groups:
black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3%
Religions:
Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includesHindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12%
Languages:
English, French patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
8.1% of GDP (2005)
GovernmentSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Kingstown geographic coordinates: 13 09 N, 61 14 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence:
27 October 1979 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution:
27 October 1979
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and six appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 55.3%, NDP 44.7%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Political parties and leaders:
New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; Unity Labor Party orULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint VincentLabor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC,MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador La Celia A. PRINCE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Flag description:
three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern
EconomySaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Economy - overview:
Economic growth slowed slightly in 2007 after reaching a 10 year high of nearly 7% in 2006, but is expected to remain robust, hinging upon seasonal variations in the agricultural and tourism sectors and a recent increase in construction activity. This lower-middle-income country is vulnerable to natural disasters - tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002. In 2007, the islands had more than 200,000 tourist arrivals, mostly to the Grenadines. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high debt burden - 25 percent of current revenues are directed towards debt servicing.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.042 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$559 million (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.6% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,800 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
41,680 (1991 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 26% industry: 17% services: 57% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million (2000 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.61% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$155.5 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$280.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$387.8 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish
Industries:
food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate:
-0.9% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:
129 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
120 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 69.3% hydro: 30.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
1,570 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
1,460 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:
-$149 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$193 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:
bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennis racquets
Exports - partners:
Greece 28.4%, Italy 14.6%, France 12%, UK 7.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, Spain 4.6%, Germany 4.3%, Saint Lucia 4.2% (2007)
Imports:
$578 million (2006)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels
Imports - partners:
Singapore 15.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.9%, Italy 13.3%, US 13%,China 5% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$4.89 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (2005)
Debt - external:
$223 million (2004)
Currency (code):
East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
CommunicationsSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Telephones - main lines in use:
22,800 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
104,000 (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-784; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables carry international calls; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:
77,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2004)
Televisions:
18,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.vc
Internet hosts:
124 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
15 (2000)
Internet users:
57,000 (2007)
TransportationSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Airports:
6 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 525 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 83, cargo 315, carrier 20, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 6, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 18, specialized tanker 2, container 21 foreign-owned: 476 (Austria 2, Barbados 1, Belgium 8, Bulgaria 15, Canada 1, China 94, Croatia 7, Cyprus 1, Czech Republic 1, Denmark 16, Egypt 3, Estonia 16, France 6, Germany 3, Gibraltar 1, Greece 71, Guyana 2, Hong Kong 6, Iceland 7, India 7, Iran 1, Israel 2, Italy 17, Japan 3, Kenya 2, Latvia 17, Lebanon 6, Lithuania 9, Monaco 5, Montenegro 1, Namibia 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 13, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 21, Singapore 4, Slovenia 5, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 6, Syria 13, Turkey 20, Ukraine 11, UAE 9, UK 13, UK 1, US 18, Venezuela 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Kingstown
MilitarySaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 34,373 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 28,518 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,224 female: 1,169 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Transnational IssuesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
Disputes - international:
joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Samoa
IntroductionSamoa
Background:
New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.
GeographySamoa
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 2,944 sq km land: 2,934 sq km water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
403 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Terrain:
two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m
Natural resources:
hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 21.13% permanent crops: 24.3% other: 54.57% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
PeopleSamoa
Population:
217,083 note: prior estimates used official net migration data by sex, but a highly unusual pattern for 1993 lead to a significant imbalance in the sex ratios (more men and fewer women) and a seeming reduction in the female population; the revised total was calculated using a 1993 number that was an average of the 1992 and 1994 migration figures (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.9% (male 41,834/female 40,343) 15-64 years: 56.5% (male 64,402/female 58,257) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 5,481/female 6,766) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.6 years male: 20.8 years female: 20.4 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.322% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
28.2 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-9.14 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: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.58 years male: 68.76 years female: 74.55 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.18 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups:
Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4% (2001 census)
Religions:
Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)
Languages:
Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.6% female: 99.7% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2002)
GovernmentSamoa
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa local short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Apia geographic coordinates: 13 50 S, 171 44 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence:
1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship; it is observed in June
Constitution:
1 January 1962
Legal system:
based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi (since 20 June 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 1998); Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice elections: chief of state is elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly election results: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats, 47 elected by voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan or part-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members serve five-year terms) elections: election last held 31 March 2006 (next election to be held not later than March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HRPP 35, SDUP 10, independents 4
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and Titles Court
Political parties and leaders:
Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele MalielegaoiTUILA'EPA]; Samoa Christian Party or TCP [Tuala Tiresa MALIETOA];Samoa Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati]; Samoa Partyor SP [Su'a Rimoni Ah CHONG]; Samoa Progressive Political Party orSPPP [Toeolesulusulu SIUEVA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF,Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: none; US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: Accident Corporation Building, 5th Floor, Matafele, Apia mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Matafele, Apia telephone: [685] 21436/21631/21452/22696 FAX: [685] 22030
Flag description:
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
EconomySamoa
Economy - overview:
The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The fish catch declined during the El Nino of 2002-03 but returned to normal by mid-2005. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; 116,000 tourists visited the islands in 2006. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.029 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$397 million (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,400 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.4% industry: 58.4% services: 30.2% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
90,000 (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $171.3 million expenditures: $78.1 million (FY04/05 est.)
Fiscal year:
June 1 - May 31
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.65% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$69.97 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$168.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$215.1 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa
Industries:
food processing, building materials, auto parts
Industrial production growth rate:
2.8% (2000)
Electricity - production:
109 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
101.4 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
1,130 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
1,128 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:
-$24 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$131 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer
Exports - partners:
Australia 48.1%, American Samoa 30%, Taiwan 8% (2007)
Imports:
$324 million f.o.b. (2006)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
NZ 22.1%, Fiji 17.2%, Singapore 16.1%, Australia 7.9%, Japan 6.8%,Indonesia 5.4%, US 5.3% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$43.95 million (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$70.15 million (FY03/04)
Debt - external:
$177 million (2004)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Currency (code):
tala (SAT)
Currency code:
SAT (former WST code is still in wide use)
Exchange rates:
tala (SAT) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2.7594 (2006), 2.7103 (2005), 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003)
CommunicationsSamoa
Telephones - main lines in use:
19,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
86,000 (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 50 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:
174,849 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2002)
Televisions:
8,634 (1999)
Internet country code:
.ws
Internet hosts:
11,307 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
8,000 (2006)
TransportationSamoa
Airports:
4 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 2,337 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 2,005 km (2001)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Cyprus 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Apia
MilitarySamoa
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 53,417 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 42,359 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,571 female: 2,454 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Military - note:
Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship
Transnational IssuesSamoa
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@San Marino
IntroductionSan Marino
Background:
The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy; social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor.
GeographySan Marino
Location:
Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 61.2 sq km land: 61.2 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one third times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain:
rugged mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m
Natural resources:
building stone
Land use:
arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Geography - note:
landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
PeopleSan Marino
Population:
29,973 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.8% (male 2,608/female 2,430) 15-64 years: 66% (male 9,464/female 10,304) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 2,229/female 2,938) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.2 years male: 40.9 years female: 41.6 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.181% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
9.74 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
8.37 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
10.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.88 years male: 78.43 years female: 85.64 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.35 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups:
Sammarinese, Italian
Religions:
Roman Catholic
Languages:
Italian
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95%
Education expenditures:
GovernmentSan Marino
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino local short form: San Marino
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: San Marino geographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle
Independence:
3 September AD 301
National holiday:
Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301)
Constitution:
8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution
Legal system:
based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Co-chiefs of State Captain Regent Ernesto BENEDETTINI and Captain Regent Assunta MELONI (for the period 1 October-31 March 2009) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Fiorenzo STOLFI (since 27 July 2006) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held in September 2007 (next to be held in March 2008); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 27 July 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: Ernesto BENEDETTINI and Assunta MELONI elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Fiorenzo STOLFI elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - NA note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (co-chiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some prime ministerial roles