Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.6%
male: 92%
female: 87.2% (2004 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 13 years (2002)
Education expenditures:
Government ::Suriname
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname
local long form: Republiek Suriname
local short form: Suriname
former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Paramaribo
geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence:
25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution:
ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987
Legal system:
based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Robert AMEERALI (since 12 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Robert AMEERALI (since 12 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 19 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: Desire Delano BOUTERSE elected president; percent of vote - Desire Delano BOUTERSE 70.6%, Chandrikapersad SATOKHI 25.5%, other 3.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - Mega Combination 45.1%, New Front 27.5%, A-Com 13.7%, People's Alliance 11.8%, DOE 1.9%; seats by party - Mega Combination 23, New Front 14, A-Com 7, People's Alliance 6, DOE 1
Judicial branch:
Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
Political parties and leaders:
A-Combination (a coalition that includes the General Liberation and Development Party ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK], SEEKA [Paul ABENA], Union of Brotherhood and Unity in Politics BEP [Caprino ALENDY]; Basic Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Dilip SARDJOE]; Basic Party for Renewal and Democracy or PVF [Soedeschand JAIRAM]; Democratic Union Suriname or DUS [Japhet DIEKO]; Mega-Combination-Ruling Coalition (a coalition that joined with A-Combination and the PL to form a majority in Parliament in 2010 - includes the National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE] (largest party in the coalition), Progressive Worker and Farmer's Union or PALU [Jim HOK], Party for National Unity and Solidarity of the Highest Order or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], DNP-2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], and New Suriname or NS [Nanan PANDAY]); National Union or NU [P. VAN LEEUWAARDE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition made up of the National Party of Suriname or NPS [Runaldo VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ramdien SARDJOE], Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91 - an independent, business-oriented party [Winston JESSURUN], Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Carl BREEVELD]; Party for the Permanent Prosperity Republic Suriname or PVRS [NA]; People's Alliance, Pertjaja Luhur's or PL [Paul SOMOHARDJO](includes D-21 [Soewarta MOESTADJA] and Pendawa Lima [Raymond SAPEON], which merged with PL in 2010)
note: BVD and PVF participated in the elections as a coalition (BVD/PVF) in the most recent elections, but separated after the election
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]
International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDB,IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO(correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW,PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Ruben Constantijn KROSS
chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488
consulate(s) general: Miami
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John R. NAY
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo
telephone: [597] 472-900
Flag description:
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large, yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love; green symbolizes hope and fertility; white signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden future
National anthem:
name: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname)
lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY
note: adopted 1959; the anthem, originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893, contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranan Tongo
Economy ::Suriname
Economy - overview:
The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. In 2000, the government of Ronald VENETIAAN, returned to office and inherited an economy with inflation of over 100% and a growing fiscal deficit. He quickly implemented an austerity program, raised taxes, attempted to control spending, and tamed inflation. Economic growth reached about 6% in 2007 and 2008, owing to sizeable foreign investment in mining and oil. Suriname has received aid for projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors from Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development Fund. The economy contracted in 2009, however, as investment waned and the country earned less from its commodity exports when global prices for most commodities fell. Trade picked up, boosting Suriname's economic growth in 2010, but the government's budget remained strained, with increased social spending during last year's election. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.794 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $4.632 billion (2009 est.)
$4.541 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.297 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 2% (2009 est.)
7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $9,600 (2009 est.)
$9,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.8%
industry: 24.4%
services: 64.8% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
165,600 (2007) country comparison to the world: 176
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 14%
services: 78% (2004)
Unemployment rate:
9.5% (2004) country comparison to the world: 105
Population below poverty line:
70% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.65% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 12.2% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$608 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 153 $495.6 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$1.809 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 145 $1.573 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$793.1 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $651 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products
Industries:
bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (1994 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - production:
1.605 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - consumption:
1.467 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
15,190 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Oil - consumption:
14,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - exports:
4,308 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Oil - imports:
6,296 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Oil - proved reserves:
79.6 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Current account balance:
$24 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Exports:
$1.391 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Exports - commodities:
alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
Exports - partners:
Canada 35.47%, Belgium 14.92%, US 10.15%, UAE 9.87%, Norway 4.92%,Netherlands 4.7%, France 4.47% (2009)
Imports:
$1.297 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Imports - commodities:
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
US 30.79%, Netherlands 19.17%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.04%, China 6.8%, Japan 5.85% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$263.3 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 125
Debt - external:
$504.3 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Exchange rates:
Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007), 2.745 (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003)
note: in January 2004, the government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket
Communications ::Suriname
Telephones - main lines in use:
83,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 146
Telephones - mobile cellular:
763,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150
Telephone system:
general assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 175 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast media:
2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.sr
Internet hosts:
171 (2010) country comparison to the world: 199
Internet users:
163,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 146
Transportation ::Suriname
Airports:
51 (2010) country comparison to the world: 91
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 46
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 41 (2010)
Pipelines:
oil 50 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 4,304 km country comparison to the world: 154 paved: 1,130 km
unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)
Waterways:
1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2010) country comparison to the world: 60
Merchant marine:
total: 1 country comparison to the world: 153 by type: cargo 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Paramaribo, Wageningen
Military ::Suriname
Military branches:
National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Marine Section and AirWing) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.); recruitment is voluntary, with personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 133,417
females age 16-49: 133,487 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 108,555
females age 16-49: 111,927 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 4,046
female: 4,056 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Transnational Issues ::Suriname
Disputes - international:
area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters
Illicit drugs:
growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Svalbard (Europe)
Introduction ::Svalbard
Background:
First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory.
Geography ::Svalbard
Location:
Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea,Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 62,045 sq km country comparison to the world: 124 land: 62,045 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,587 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 4 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia
Climate:
arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year
Terrain:
wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (no trees; the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry) (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic
Environment - current issues:
Geography - note:
northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area; Spitsbergen Island is the site of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a seed repository established by the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Norwegian Government
People ::Svalbard
Population:
2,067 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 232
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.023% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Birth rate:
Death rate:
Net migration rate:
Sex ratio:
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0% (2001) country comparison to the world: 170
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 165
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 156
Ethnic groups:
Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998)
Languages:
Norwegian, Russian
Literacy:
Government ::Svalbard
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen)
Dependency status:
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway
Government type:
Capital:
name: Longyearbyen
geographic coordinates: 78 13 N, 15 33 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
Independence:
none (territory of Norway)
Legal system:
the laws of Norway where applicable apply
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)
head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since September 2009); Assistant Governor Lars FAUSE (since September 2008)
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
none
Flag description:
the flag of Norway is used
National anthem:
note: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway)
Economy ::Svalbard
Economy - overview:
Coal mining, tourism, and international research are the major revenue sources on Svalbard. Coal mining is the dominant economic activity and a treaty of 9 February 1920 gave the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still engaging in this are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some hunting of seal, reindeer, and fox.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
GDP - real growth rate:
Labor force:
1,234 in Norwegian settlements (2003) country comparison to the world: 225
Exports:
$197.6 million (2000)
Imports:
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 6.1533 (2009), 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006)
Communications ::Svalbard
Telephones - main lines in use:
Telephone system:
general assessment: probably adequate
domestic: local telephone service
international: country code - 47-790; satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)
Broadcast media:
the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) began direct television transmission to Svalbard via satellite in 1984; Longyearbyen households have access to 3 NRK radio and 2 television stations (2008)
Internet country code:
.sj
Transportation ::Svalbard
Airports:
4 (2010) country comparison to the world: 186
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Military ::Svalbard
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military - note:
Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920; Norwegian military activity is limited to fisheries surveillance by the Norwegian Coast Guard
Transnational Issues ::Svalbard
Disputes - international:
despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Swaziland (Africa)
Introduction ::Swaziland
Background:
Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, the world's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but political parties remain banned. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
Geography ::Swaziland
Location:
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 17,364 sq km country comparison to the world: 158 land: 17,204 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 535 km
border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources:
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:
arable land: 10.25%
permanent crops: 0.81%
other: 88.94% (2005)
Irrigated land:
500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
4.5 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%)
per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
drought
Environment - current issues:
limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
People ::Swaziland
Population:
1,354,051 country comparison to the world: 152 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.6% (male 260,840/female 254,781)
15-64 years: 57.9% (male 383,236/female 391,478)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 19,857/female 26,994) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.1 years
male: 19.7 years
female: 20.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.213% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Birth rate:
27.12 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Death rate:
14.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 107
Urbanization:
urban population: 25% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 66.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 23 male: 70.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 62.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.97 years country comparison to the world: 218 male: 48.14 years
female: 47.8 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.19 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
26.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Swazi(s)
adjective: Swazi
Ethnic groups:
African 97%, European 3%
Religions:
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
Languages:
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 81.6%
male: 82.6%
female: 80.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
7.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 13
Government ::Swaziland
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form: Swaziland
local long form: Umbuso weSwatini
local short form: eSwatini
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Mbabane
geographic coordinates: 26 18 S, 31 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
Administrative divisions:
4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence:
6 September 1968 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution:
signed by the King in July 2005; went into effect on 8 February 2006
Legal system:
based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly - last held on 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch:
High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
Political parties and leaders:
the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the 2006 Constitution and currently being debated; the following are considered political associations; African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president]; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Swaziland Democracy Campaign; Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions;Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abednigo Mandla NTSHANGASE
chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Earl M. IRVING
embassy: 2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane
mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane
telephone: [268] 404-2445
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence
National anthem:
name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)
lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
note: adopted 1968; the anthem uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
Economy ::Swaziland
Economy - overview:
In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. In 2007, the sugar industry increased efficiency and diversification efforts, in response to a 17% decline in EU sugar prices. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives more than nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) account for two-thirds of Swaziland's government revenues, and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. Customs revenues plummeted during the global economic crisis and Swaziland has appealed to SACU for assistance. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and attract foreign direct investment is acute. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and more than one-quarter of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$6.055 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $5.937 billion (2009 est.)
$5.913 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.165 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 0.4% (2009 est.)
2.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $4,400 (2009 est.)
$4,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.6%
industry: 42%
services: 49.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
457,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 156
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
40% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Population below poverty line:
69% (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 40.7% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 22
Investment (gross fixed):
12.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 7.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 39 11% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.38% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 14.83% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$335.7 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 163 $273.9 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.266 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $920.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)