total: 43,761 km country comparison to the world: 85 paved: 38,085 km (includes 384 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,676 km (2008)
Waterways:
172 km (on Danube River) (2009) country comparison to the world: 100
Merchant marine:
total: 23 country comparison to the world: 97 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 19, refrigerated cargo 3
foreign-owned: 21 (Germany 4, Greece 1, Ireland 1, Italy 2, Montenegro 1, Poland 2, Slovenia 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 7) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bratislava, Komarno
Military ::Slovakia
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2006; women are eligible to serve (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,413,079
females age 16-49: 1,377,754 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,162,282
females age 16-49: 1,147,526 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 33,915
female: 32,448 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.87% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Transnational Issues ::Slovakia
Disputes - international:
bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Slovenia (Europe)
Introduction ::Slovenia
Background:
The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2007.
Geography ::Slovenia
Location:
Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, betweenAustria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 20,273 sq km country comparison to the world: 154 land: 20,151 sq km
water: 122 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,086 km
border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 455 km, Hungary 102 km, Italy 199 km
Coastline:
46.6 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Terrain:
a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources:
lignite coal, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests
Land use:
arable land: 8.53%
permanent crops: 1.43%
other: 90.04% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
32.1 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.9
per capita: 457 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
flooding; earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes
People ::Slovenia
Population:
2,003,136 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.5% (male 139,880/female 131,826)
15-64 years: 69.9% (male 707,219/female 695,470)
65 years and over: 16.5% (male 129,662/female 201,635) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.1 years
male: 40.4 years
female: 43.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.142% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Birth rate:
8.92 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Death rate:
10.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Net migration rate:
0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Urbanization:
urban population: 48% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.066 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 200 male: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.12 years country comparison to the world: 61 male: 73.45 years
female: 81.03 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.29 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
280 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Nationality:
noun: Slovene(s)
adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups:
Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census)
Religions:
Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Slovenian (official) 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%, Italian (official) Only in municipalities where Hungarian national communities reside, Hungarian (official) Only in municipalities where Hungarian national communities reside (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.6%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 18 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 57
Government ::Slovenia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form: Slovenia
local long form: Republika Slovenija
local short form: Slovenija
former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Ljubljana
geographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 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:
210 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) including 11 urbanmunicipalities* (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina)Ajdovscina, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled,Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice,Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno,Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj,Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec,Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale,Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje,Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje,Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina,Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice,Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kosanjevica na Krki,Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota,Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno,Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrencna Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Maribor*, Markovci,Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju,Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce,Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje,Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica,Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka,Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*,Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica,Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko,Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec,Ruse, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sevnica, Sezana, Slovenj Gradec*,Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sredisceob Dravi, Starse, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v SlovenskihGoricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Sveti Jurijv Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Salovci, Sempeter-Vrtojba,Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Skocjan, SkofjaLoka, Skofljica, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno obPaki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sostanj, Store, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin,Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*,Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice,Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc,Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk
Independence:
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 23 December 1991, amended 14 July 1997 and 25 July 2000
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Danilo TURK (since 22 December 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Borut PAHOR (since 7 November 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly (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 October and 11 November 2007 (next to be held on 8 October 2012); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 21 September 2008 (next National Assembly elections to be held in 8 October 2012)
election results: Danilo TURK elected president; percent of vote - Danilo TURK 68.2%, Alojze PETERLE 31.8%; Borut PAHOR elected prime minister by National Assembly vote
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve five-year terms; note - this is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decision, and call national referenda) and the National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 40 members directly elected and 50 are elected on a proportional basis; note - the number of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; the constitution mandates 1 seat each for Slovenia's Hungarian and Italian minorities; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held on 21 September 2008 (next to be held on 8 October 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - SD 30.5%, SDS 29.3%, ZARES 9.4%, DeSUS 7.5%, SNS 5.5%, SLS+SMS 5.2%, LDS 5.2%, other 7.4%; seats by party - SD 29, SDS 28, ZARES 9, DeSUS 7, SNS 5, SLS+SMS 5, LDS 5, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC]; Liberal Democracy of Slovenia or LDS [Katarina KRESAL]; New Slovenia or NSi [Ljudmila NOVAK (acting)]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Radovan ZERJAV]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Darko KRANJC]; Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA]; Social Democrats or SD [Borut PAHOR] (formerly ZLSD); ZARES [Gregor GOLOBIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Slovenian Roma Association [Jozek Horvat MUC]
other: Catholic Church
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA(cooperating state), EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer),OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roman KIRN
chancery: 2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 386-6601
consulate(s) general: Cleveland, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Bradley FREDEN
embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana
mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140
telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, derive from the medieval coat of arms of the Duchy of Carniola; the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries) appears in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands
National anthem:
name: "Zdravljica" (A Toast)
lyrics/music: France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL
note: adopted 1989; the anthem was originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism
Economy ::Slovenia
Economy - overview:
Slovenia became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has become a model of economic success and stability for the region. With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe. Privatization has lagged since 2002, and the economy has one of highest levels of state control in the EU. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower unemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In December 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the accession process for joining the OECD. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. In 2009, the world recession caused the economy to contract - through falling exports and industrial production - by more than 8%, and unemployment to rise above 9%. Although growth resumed in 2010, the unemployment rate continued to rise, topping 10%.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$56.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $56.24 billion (2009 est.)
$61.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$46.44 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 -8.1% (2009 est.)
3.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $28,000 (2009 est.)
$30,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 31%
services: 66.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
930,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 35%
services: 62.8% (2009)
Unemployment rate:
10.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 9.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
12.3% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 24.6% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28.4 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120 23.8 (2004)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Public debt:
35.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 31.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 0.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 123 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.47% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 7.41% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$10.47 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 71 $10.33 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: the figure for 2006 represents the US dollar value of tolars in circulation prior to Slovenia 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:
$24.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $25.65 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$52.67 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $50.46 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$11.77 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 59 $22.1 billion (31 December 2008)
$28.96 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry
Industries:
ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - production:
13 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - consumption:
14.7 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - exports:
7.82 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
6.218 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
5 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Oil - consumption:
60,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - imports:
57,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - consumption:
1.05 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - imports:
1.05 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Current account balance:
-$598 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 -$732.4 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$24.97 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $22.53 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.36%, Italy 11.31%, Croatia 7.75%, Austria 7.42%, France 7.35% (2009)
Imports:
$25.96 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $23.5 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food
Imports - partners:
Germany 16.46%, Italy 15.89%, Austria 11.81%, France 4.98%, Croatia 4.32% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$1.08 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$51.57 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 56 $54.61 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.73 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $15.13 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$9.001 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $7.901 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.77399 (2010), 0.72 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007)
Communications ::Slovenia
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.034 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 76
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 132
Telephone system:
general assessment: well-developed telecommunications infrastructure
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 150 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 386
Broadcast media:
public television broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV), operates a system of national and regional TV stations; 35 domestic commercial television stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 60% of households are connected to multi-channel cable TV systems; public radio broadcaster operates 3 national and 4 regional stations; more than 75 regional and local commercial and non-commercial radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.si
Internet hosts:
137,494 (2010) country comparison to the world: 72
Internet users:
1.298 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 92
Transportation ::Slovenia
Airports:
16 (2010) country comparison to the world: 143
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 840 km; oil 11 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,228 km country comparison to the world: 85 standard gauge: 1,228 km 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2007)
Roadways:
total: 38,873 km country comparison to the world: 90 paved: 38,873 km (includes 696 km of expressways) (2008)
Waterways:
some transport on Drava River (2010)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 25 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 1, Cyprus 4, Liberia 5, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 1, Slovakia 1) (2010) country comparison to the world: 93
Ports and terminals:
Koper
Military ::Slovenia
Military branches:
Slovenian Army (includes air and naval forces)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 483,488
females age 16-49: 470,325 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 397,440
females age 16-49: 385,505 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 9,979
female: 9,610 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.7% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Transnational Issues ::Slovenia
Disputes - international:
the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia
Illicit drugs:
minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Solomon Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Solomon Islands
Background:
The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
Geography ::Solomon Islands
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of PapuaNew Guinea
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 28,896 sq km country comparison to the world: 143 land: 27,986 sq km
water: 910 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
5,313 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,310 m
Natural resources:
fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 0.62%
permanent crops: 2.04%
other: 97.34% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Total renewable water resources:
44.7 cu km (1987)
Natural hazards:
typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis
volcanism: Tinakula (elev. 851 m, 2,792 ft) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (elev. 485 m, 1,591 ft) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; on 2 April 2007 an undersea earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred 345 km WNW of the capital Honiara; the resulting tsunami devastated coastal areas of Western and Choiseul provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands dislocated; the provincial capital of Gizo was especially hard hit
People ::Solomon Islands
Population:
559,198 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39.5% (male 119,875/female 115,127)
15-64 years: 57.1% (male 171,792/female 168,023)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 9,849/female 10,947) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.6 years
male: 20.4 years
female: 20.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.27% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Birth rate:
28.6 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Death rate:
3.96 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Net migration rate:
-1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Urbanization:
urban population: 18% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.41 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 103 male: 20.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.94 years country comparison to the world: 106 male: 71.37 years
female: 76.63 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.67 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Solomon Islander(s)
adjective: Solomon Islander
Ethnic groups:
Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)
Religions:
Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South SeasEvangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%,Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%,unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)
Languages:
Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population); 120 indigenous languages
Literacy:
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 9 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 167
Government ::Solomon Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Solomon Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Solomon Islands
former: British Solomon Islands
Government type:
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Honiara
geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western
Independence:
7 July 1978 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:
7 July 1978
Legal system:
English common law, which is widely disregarded; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Danny PHILIP (since 25 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually elected prime minister by parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 4 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Solomon Islands Democratic Party 13, Our Party 3, Reformed Democratic Party 3, Independent Democratic Party 2, PAP 2, SIPRA 2, Peoples Congress Party 1, Peoples Federation Party 1, Rural Development Party 1, Rural and Urban Political Party 1, Solomon Islands Liberal Party 1, Solomon Islands National Party 1, independents 19
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Association of Independent Members or AIM [Thomas CHAN]; ChristianAlliance Solomon Islands or CASI [Edward RONIA]; LAFARI Party [JohnGARO]; National Party [Francis HILLY]; People's Alliance Party orPAP [Sir Allan KEMAKEZA]; Social Credit Party or SOCRED [ManassehDamukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon First Party [David QUAN]; SolomonIslands Democratic Party [Gabriel SURI]; Solomon Islands Labor Partyor SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party [BartholomewULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA[Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA]
note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force (MEF); note - these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in the Solomon Islands; the US ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag description:
divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green; blue represents the ocean; green the land; and yellow sunshine; the five stars stand for the five main island groups of the Solomon Islands
National anthem:
name: "God Save Our Solomon Islands"
lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA
note: adopted 1978
Government - note:
by the end of 2007, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) - originally made up of police and troops from Australia, NZ, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga - had been scaled back to 303 police officers, 197 civilian technical advisers, and 72 military advisers from 15 countries across the region
Economy ::Solomon Islands
Economy - overview:
The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of RAMSI, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.559 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $1.517 billion (2009 est.)
$1.553 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$674 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 -2.3% (2009 est.)
7.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $2,800 (2009 est.)
$2,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 42%
industry: 11%
services: 47% (2005 est.)