6.652 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 83
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent service
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is more than 180 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2008)
Broadcast media:
state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp, wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service is accessible; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting with MediaCorp operating more than a dozen and another 4 stations are closely linked to the ruling party or controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; large number of Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available (2008)
Internet country code:
.sg
Internet hosts:
992,786 (2010) country comparison to the world: 44
Internet users:
3.235 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 65
Transportation ::Singapore
Airports:
8 (2010) country comparison to the world: 164
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 106 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 3,356 km country comparison to the world: 163 paved: 3,356 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2009)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,422 country comparison to the world: 6 by type: bulk carrier 183, cargo 88, carrier 6, chemical tanker 233, container 321, liquefied gas 117, petroleum tanker 404, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 52
foreign-owned: 850 (Australia 11, Bangladesh 2, Bermuda 21, Chile 7, China 26, Cyprus 3, Denmark 125, France 3, Germany 30, Greece 19, Hong Kong 38, India 19, Indonesia 53, Italy 3, Japan 146, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 132, Slovenia 1, South Africa 3, South Korea 9, Sweden 9, Switzerland 4, Taiwan 79, Thailand 30, UAE 10, UK 6, US 33)
registered in other countries: 327 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 3, Belize 7, Cambodia 4, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, France 3, Gibraltar 1, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 42, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 11, Liberia 27, Malaysia 19, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 28, Mongolia 1, North Korea 2, Panama 79, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Sierra Leone 5, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 25, US 17, unknown 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Singapore
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military ::Singapore
Military branches:
Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,266,426 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,027,701
females age 16-49: 1,097,762 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,430
female: 25,918 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Transnational Issues ::Singapore
Disputes - international:
disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Illicit drugs:
drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Sint Maarten (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Sint Maarten
Background:
Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished the island of Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The establishment of cotton, tobacco, and sugar plantations dramatically expanded slavery on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries; the practice was not abolished in the Dutch half until 1863. The island's economy declined until 1939 when it became a free port; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded beginning in the 1950s. In 1954, Sint Maarten and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles. In a 2000 referendum, the citizens of Sint Maarten voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The change in status became effective in October of 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.
Geography ::Sint Maarten
Location:
Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 34 sq km country comparison to the world: 235 land: 34 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin
Area - comparative:
one-fifth the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 15 km
border countries: Saint Martin (France) 15 km
Coastline:
364 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 1500 mm/year; July-November is the hurricane season
Terrain:
low, hilly terrain, volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Flagstaff 386 m
Natural resources:
fish, salt
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 90%
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
subject to hurricanes from July to November
Environment - current issues:
Geography - note:
the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two enties make up the smallest landmass in the world shared by two self-governing states
People ::Sint Maarten
Population:
37,429 (January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.4% (male 4,299/female 4,455)
15-64 years: 73% (male 13,053/female 14,259)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 608/female 755) (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
Birth rate:
Death rate:
3 deaths/1,000 population (2009) country comparison to the world: 221
Net migration rate:
14.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 4
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.98 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: 73.1 years
female: 78.2 years (2009)
Total fertility rate:
1.7 children born/woman (2009) country comparison to the world: 170
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Religions:
Roman Catholic 39%, Protestant 27%, Pentecostal 11.6%, none 6.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.2%, other 5.4%, Jewish 3.4%, not reported 0.7% (2001 census)
Languages:
English 67.5% (official), Spanish 12.9%, Creole 8.2%, Dutch 4.2% (official), Papiamento 2.2% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), French 1.5%, other 3.5% (2001 census)
Government ::Sint Maarten
Country name:
Dutch long form: Land Sint Maarten
Dutch short form: Sint Maarten
English long form: Country of Sint Maarten
English short form: Sint Maarten
former: Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies
Dependency status:
constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Government type:
parliamentary
Capital:
name: Philipsburg
geographic coordinates: 18 1 N, 63 2 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
Constitution:
Staatsregeling, 10 October 2010; revised Kingdom Charter pending
Legal system:
based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Eugene HOLIDAY (since 10 October 2010)
head of government: Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS (since 10 October 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral parliament or Staten (15 seats; members elected by popular vote for four year term)
elections: last held 17 September 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 45.9%, UPP 36.1%, Democratic Party 17.1%; seats by party - National Alliance 7, UPP 6, Democratic Party 2
Judicial branch:
Common Court of Justice, Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; National Alliance or NA [William MARLIN]; United People's Party or UPP [Theodore HEYLIGER]; Concordia Political Alliance or CPA [Jeffery RICHARDSON]
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Sint Maarten; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Sint Maarten
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays the Sint Maarten coat of arms; the arms consist of an orange-bordered blue shield prominently displaying the white court house in Philipsburg, as well as a bouquet of yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left, and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; the shield is surmounted by a yellow rising sun in front of which is a Brown Pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield bears the motto: SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing); the three main colors are identical to those on the Dutch flag
note: the flag somewhat resembles that of the Philippines, but with the main red and blue bands reversed; the banner more closely evokes the wartime Philippine flag
National anthem:
name: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land"
lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS
note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)
Economy ::Sint Maarten
Economy - overview:
The economy of Sint Maarten centers around tourism with nearly four-fifths of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year - 1.3 million in 2008 - with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport. Cruise ships and yachts also call on Sint Maarten's numerous ports and harbors. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported. Sint Maarten had the highest per capita income among the five islands that formerly comprised the Netherlands Antilles.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$794.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 $748.9 million (2007 est.)
$703.2 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$794.7 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 4.5% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 18.3%
services: 81.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
23,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 15.2%
services: 83.7% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 4.6% (2008 est.)
Agriculture - products:
sugar
Industries:
tourism, light industry, and manufacturing
Electricity - production:
304.3 million kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 167
Exports - commodities:
sugar
Exports - partners:
China 23.49%, US 10.91%, Japan 5.92% (2009)
Imports - partners:
China 17.35%, Japan 14.79%, US 8.96%, Saudi Arabia 6.89% (2009)
Exchange rates:
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2009), 1.79 (2008), 1.79 (2007), 1.79 (2006)
Communications ::Sint Maarten
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,153 (2001) country comparison to the world: 210
Telephone system:
general assessment: generally adequate facilities
domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
international: country code - 599; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the Americas-2 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Transportation ::Sint Maarten
Airports:
1 country comparison to the world: 214
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 53 km country comparison to the world: 216
Ports and terminals:
Philipsburg
Military ::Sint Maarten
Military branches:
the Royal Netherlands Navy maintains a permanent and active presence in the region from its main operating base on Curacao and through a detachment on Sint Maarten; other local security forces include a coast guard, para-military National Guard (Vrijwilligers Korps Sint Maarten), and Police Force (KPSM) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
no conscription (2010)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Slovakia (Europe)
Introduction ::Slovakia
Background:
The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro area on 1 January 2009.
Geography ::Slovakia
Location:
Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 49,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 130 land: 48,105 sq km
water: 930 sq km
Area - comparative:
about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 1,474 km
border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources:
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use:
arable land: 29.23%
permanent crops: 2.67%
other: 68.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,830 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
50.1 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.04
per capita: 193 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys
People ::Slovakia
Population:
5,470,306 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 442,168/female 422,055)
15-64 years: 71.7% (male 1,952,527/female 1,965,646)
65 years and over: 12.5% (male 254,510/female 426,140) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.3 years
male: 35.7 years
female: 38.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.129% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Birth rate:
10.55 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Death rate:
9.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Net migration rate:
0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Urbanization:
urban population: 56% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.051 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 170 male: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.62 years country comparison to the world: 79 male: 71.7 years
female: 79.74 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.36 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Nationality:
noun: Slovak(s)
adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups:
Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Languages:
Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.6% (2004)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 129
Government ::Slovakia
Country name:
conventional long form: Slovak Republic
conventional short form: Slovakia
local long form: Slovenska Republika
local short form: Slovensko
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Bratislava
geographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 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:
8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution:
ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998; amended February 2001
note: the change in September 1998 allowed direct election of the president; the amendment of February 2001 allowed Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Iveta RADICOVA (since 8 July 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Jan FIGEL, Ivan MIKLOS, Jozef MIHAL, Rudolf CHMEL (since 9 July 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 June 2010 (next to be held in June 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 34.8%, SDKU-DS 15%, SaS 12.1%, KDH 8.5%, Most-Hid 8.1%, SNS 5.1%, other 16.2%; seats by party - Smer 62, SDKU-DS 28, SaS 22, KDH 15, Most-Hid 14, SNS 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president)
Political parties and leaders:
parties in the Parliament:: Bridge or Most-Hid [Bela BUGAR];Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Jan FIGEL]; Direction-SocialDemocracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Freedom and Solidarity or SaS[Richard SULIK]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-DemocraticParty or SDKU-DS [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS[Jan SLOTA]
selected parties outside the Parliament:: Alliance for a Europe ofNations or AZEN [Milan URBANI]; Association of Slovak Workers or ZRS[Jan LUPTAK]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter ZAJAC]; GreenParty or SZ [Peter PILINSKY]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL[Marek BLAHA]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [JozsefBERENYI]; People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia orLS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; People's Party - Our Slovakia or LSNS[Marian KOTLEBA]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef HRDLICKA];Union - Party for Slovakia or Unia [Milan CELIK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of TradeUnions or KOZ; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS;Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic;National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber of Commerce andIndustry or SOPK; Slovenska Pospolitost; The Business Alliance ofSlovakia or PAS
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CEI,CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF(observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer),UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter BURIAN
chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore SEDGWICK
embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava
mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava
telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red derive from the Pan-Slav colors; the Slovakian coat of arms (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills) is centered over the bands but offset slightly to the hoist side
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National anthem:
name: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Storm Over the Tatras)
lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional
note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; the anthem"s music is based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku"
Economy ::Slovakia
Economy - overview:
Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Reforms to the taxation, healthcare, pension, and social welfare systems helped Slovakia to consolidate its budget and get on track to join the EU in 2004 and to adopt the euro in January 2009. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies such as labor market liberalization and a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive and electronic sectors has been strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-08 despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 7.7% in 2008 but remains the economy's Achilles heel. FICO's cabinet was careful to keep a lid on spending in order to meet euro adoption criteria and has focused on regulating energy and food prices instead. To maintain a stable operating environment for investors, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development advised the Slovak government to refrain from intervening in important sectors of the economy. However, Bratislava's approach to mitigating the economic slowdown has included substantial government intervention and the option to nationalize strategic companies. Slovakia was admitted to the euro zone in January 2009. RADICOVA's government, in power since July 2010, has allowed the budget deficit to rise slightly, to 8.2% of GDP in 2010. GDP fell nearly 5% in 2009 before gaining back 4% in 2010, and unemployment rose above 12% in 2010, as the global recession impacted many segments of the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$121.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $116.7 billion (2009 est.)
$122.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$86.26 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 -4.7% (2009 est.)
6.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$22,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $21,400 (2009 est.)
$22,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 35.6%
services: 61.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.673 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 27%
services: 69.4% (December 2009)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 11.4% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
21% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 20.9% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 130 26.3 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Public debt:
41% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 35.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 1.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 124 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from the euro area; as of 1 January 2009 Slovakia became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$34.37 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 52 $34.1 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Slovak koruny in circulation prior to Slovakia joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$52.63 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $52.68 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$65.09 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $64.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.672 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 80 $5.079 billion (31 December 2008)
$6.971 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Industries:
metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate:
7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - production:
25.9 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - consumption:
28.75 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - exports:
8.891 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
9.412 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,114 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - consumption:
79,930 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Oil - exports:
75,110 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Oil - imports:
144,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - proved reserves:
9 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - production:
103 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - consumption:
6.493 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Natural gas - exports:
15 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - imports:
6.974 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - proved reserves:
14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Current account balance:
-$1.93 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 -$2.819 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$64.18 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $55.32 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment 35.9%, vehicles 21%, base metals 11.3%, chemicals and minerals 8.1%, plastics 4.9% (2009 est.)
Exports - partners:
Germany 20.1%, Czech Republic 12.9%, France 7.8%, Poland 7.2%,Hungary 6.3%, Italy 6.1%, Austria 5.8%, UK 4.8% (2009)
Imports:
$62.43 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $53.67 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 31%, mineral products 13%, vehicles 12%, base metals 9%, chemicals 8%, plastics 6% (2009 est.)
Imports - partners:
Germany 16.8%, Czech Republic 12.3%, Russia 9%, South Korea 6.8%,China 5.8%, Hungary 5.3%, Poland 4% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$1.16 billion (31 January 2010 est.)
Debt - external:
$59.33 billion (30 June 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $52.53 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$52.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $50.26 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$2.643 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $2.743 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Slovak koruny (SKK) per US dollar - 0.774 (2010), 0.718 (2009), 21.05 (2008), 24.919 (2007), 29.611 (2006)
Communications ::Slovakia
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.022 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 77
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.498 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 92
Telephone system:
general assessment: Slovakia has a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth in cellular services
domestic: analog system is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; 3 companies provide nationwide cellular services
international: country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services
Broadcast media:
state-owned public broadcaster, Slovak Television (STV), operates 3 national TV stations; roughly 35 privately-owned television broadcast stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 40% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; channels from the Czech Republic and Hungary are widely viewed; state-owned public radio operates multiple national and regional networks; more than 20 privately-owned radio stations (2008)
Internet country code:
.sk
Internet hosts:
1.133 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 41
Internet users:
4.063 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 58
Transportation ::Slovakia
Airports:
36 (2010) country comparison to the world: 107
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 10 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,622 km country comparison to the world: 48 broad gauge: 99 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 3,473 km 1.435-m gauge (1,577 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2008)
Roadways: