Exchange rates:
Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - 6.3337 (2010), 6.3099 (2009), 6.2896 (2008), 6.3275 (2007), 6.3107 (2006)
Communications ::Trinidad and Tobago
Telephones - main lines in use:
314,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 111
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.97 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 133
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent international service; good local service
domestic: mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 185 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana
Broadcast media:
5 TV networks each broadcasting on multiple stations; one of the networks is state-owned; multiple cable TV subscription service providers; multiple radio networks, one state-owned, broadcast over about 35 stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.tt
Internet hosts:
168,876 (2010) country comparison to the world: 68
Internet users:
593,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 115
Transportation ::Trinidad and Tobago
Airports:
6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 176
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 659 km; oil 336 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 8,320 km country comparison to the world: 140 paved: 4,252 km
unpaved: 4,068 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 6 country comparison to the world: 127 by type: passenger 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1
registered in other countries: 2 (Bahamas 1, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough
Military ::Trinidad and Tobago
Military branches:
Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army,Coast Guard, Air Guard, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 347,044
females age 16-49: 323,847 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 273,361
females age 16-49: 266,535 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 8,572
female: 7,966 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 170
Transnational Issues ::Trinidad and Tobago
Disputes - international:
in April 2006, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a decision that delimited a maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago and compelled Barbados to enter a fishing agreement that limited Barbadian fishermen's catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under UNCLOS challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Tunisia (Africa)
Introduction ::Tunisia
Background:
Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first president, Habib BOURGUIBA, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. BEN ALI is currently serving his fifth consecutive five-year term as president. Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society.
Geography ::Tunisia
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 163,610 sq km country comparison to the world: 92 land: 155,360 sq km
water: 8,250 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,424 km
border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
Coastline:
1,148 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
Climate:
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain:
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Land use:
arable land: 17.05%
permanent crops: 13.08%
other: 69.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,940 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
4.6 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.64 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%)
per capita: 261 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
People ::Tunisia
Population:
10,589,025 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.7% (male 1,227,238/female 1,149,796)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,701,661/female 3,652,322)
65 years and over: 7.2% (male 352,003/female 403,319) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.7 years
male: 29.1 years
female: 30.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.969% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Birth rate:
15.31 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Death rate:
5.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Net migration rate:
-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.073 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 94 male: 23.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.99 years country comparison to the world: 73 male: 74.17 years
female: 77.94 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.71 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Nationality:
noun: Tunisian(s)
adjective: Tunisian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Religions:
Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages:
Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 74.3%
male: 83.4%
female: 65.3% (2004 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
7.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 18
Government ::Tunisia
Country name:
conventional long form: Tunisian Republic
conventional short form: Tunisia
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
local short form: Tunis
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Tunis
geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba(Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili(Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah),Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax(Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse(Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan(Zaghwan)
Independence:
20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 20 March (1956); also the anniversary of BEN ALI's assumption of the presidency, 7 November (1987)
Constitution:
1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987)
head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fifth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 89.6%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 5%, Ahmed INOUBLI 3.8%, Ahmed BRAHIM 1.6%; voter turnout 89.4%
Legislative branch:
bicameral system consists of the Chamber of Advisors (126 seats; 85 members elected by municipal counselors, deputies, mayors, and professional associations and trade unions; 41 members are presidential appointees; members serve six-year terms); and the Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Advisors - last held on 3 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014);
election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - RCD 84.6%, MDS 4.6%, PUP 3.4%, UDU 2.6%, PSL 2.2%, PVP 1.7%, Al-Tajdid 0.5%; seats by party - RCD 161, MDS 16, PUP 12, UDU 9, PSL 8, PVP 6, Al-Tajdid 2; voter turnout 89.4%
Judicial branch:
Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation
Political parties and leaders:
Al-Tajdid Movement [Ahmed IBRAHIM]; Constitutional Democratic RallyParty (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD;Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL [Mustapha BenJAFAAR]; Green Party for Progress or PVP [Mongi KHAMASSI]; LiberalSocial Party or PSL [Mondher THABET]; Movement of SocialistDemocrats or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA]; Popular Unity Party or PUP[Mohamed BOUCHIHA]; Progressive Democratic Party [Maya JERIBI];Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Ahmed INOUBLI]; note - theIslamist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
18 October Group [collective leadership]; Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), FAO, G-11, G-77,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS,MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE(partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Salah TEKAYA
chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon GRAY
embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [216] 71 107-000
Flag description:
red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; resembles the Ottoman flag (red banner with white crescent and star) and recalls Tunisia's history as part of the Ottoman Empire; red represents the blood shed by martyrs in the struggle against oppression, white stands for peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
note: the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state to the Ottoman Empire
National anthem:
name: "Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)
lyrics/music: Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
note: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates
Economy ::Tunisia
Economy - overview:
Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth, which averaged almost 5% over the past decade, declined to 4.6% in 2008 and to 3-4% in 2009-10 because of economic contraction and slowing of import demand in Europe - Tunisia's largest export market. However, development of non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural production, and strong growth in the services sector somewhat mitigated the economic effect of slowing exports. Tunisia will need to reach even higher growth levels to create sufficient employment opportunities for an already large number of unemployed as well as the growing population of university graduates. The challenges ahead include: privatizing industry, liberalizing the investment code to increase foreign investment, improving government efficiency, reducing the trade deficit, and reducing socioeconomic disparities in the impoverished south and west.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$100.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $97.03 billion (2009 est.)
$94.22 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$43.86 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 3% (2009 est.)
4.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $9,300 (2009 est.)
$9,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.6%
industry: 34.6%
services: 54.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.83 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 18.3%
industry: 31.9%
services: 49.8% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 13.3% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
3.8% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 31.5% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
40 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 41.7 (1995 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
26.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Public debt:
49.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 47.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 3.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2009)
NA% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Stock of narrow money:
$11.49 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 70 $11.02 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$29.39 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $26.88 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$31.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $28.45 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$9.12 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 76 $6.374 billion (31 December 2008)
$5.355 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products
Industries:
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
1.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - production:
11.08 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - consumption:
11.8 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - exports:
130 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
145 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
91,380 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Oil - consumption:
89,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Oil - exports:
77,130 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - imports:
87,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Oil - proved reserves:
425 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - production:
2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Natural gas - consumption:
4.22 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Natural gas - imports:
1.25 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - proved reserves:
65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Current account balance:
-$1.389 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 -$1.234 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$16.11 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $14.42 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment
Exports - partners:
France 29.6%, Italy 21%, Germany 8.8%, Libya 5.8%, Spain 5%, UK 4.8% (2009)
Imports:
$20.02 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $18.12 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
France 20.1%, Italy 16.4%, Germany 8.8%, China 5%, Spain 4.5%, US 4% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$11.23 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $11.06 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$18.76 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $19.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$33.56 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $31.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$251 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $233 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 1.4367 (2010), 1.3503 (2009), 1.211 (2008), 1.2776 (2007), 1.331 (2006)
Communications ::Tunisia
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.279 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 69
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.754 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 65
Telephone system:
general assessment: above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; telephone network is completely digitized; Internet access available throughout the country
domestic: in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; a third mobile, fixed, and ISP operator was licensed in 2009 and will begin offering services in 2010; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 100 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches
Broadcast media:
broadcast media is mainly government-controlled; the state-run Tunisian Radio and Television Establishment (ERTT) operates 2 national television networks, several national radio networks, and a number of regional radio stations; 1 TV and 3 radio stations are privately-owned and report domestic news stories directly from the official Tunisian news agency; the state retains control of broadcast facilities and transmitters through L'Office National de la Telediffusion; Tunisians also have access to Egyptian, pan-Arab, and European satellite TV channels (2007)
Internet country code:
.tn
Internet hosts:
490 (2010) country comparison to the world: 181
Internet users:
3.5 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 60
Transportation ::Tunisia
Airports:
32 (2010) country comparison to the world: 113
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 2,179 km; oil 1,285 km; refined products 372 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,167 km country comparison to the world: 70 standard gauge: 471 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,688 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified)
dual gauge: 8 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 19,232 km country comparison to the world: 111 paved: 12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways)
unpaved: 6,577 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 11 country comparison to the world: 111 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira
Military ::Tunisia
Military branches:
Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Tunisiens, FAT): Army, Navy,Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-JamahiriyahAt'tunisia) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,065,431
females age 16-49: 2,974,060 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,594,602
females age 16-49: 2,510,159 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 96,697
female: 90,599 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 109
Transnational Issues ::Tunisia
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 24, 2011
======================================================================
@Turkey (Middle East)
Introduction ::Turkey
Background:
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005.
Geography ::Turkey
Location:
Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 783,562 sq km country comparison to the world: 37 land: 769,632 sq km
water: 13,930 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,648 km
border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km
Coastline:
7,200 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea
exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR
Climate:
temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Terrain:
high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 29.81%
permanent crops: 3.39%
other: 66.8% (2005)
Irrigated land:
52,150 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
234 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 39.78 cu km/yr (15%/11%/74%)
per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001)
Natural hazards:
severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
volcanism: Turkey experiences little volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country
People ::Turkey
Population:
77,804,122 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.2% (male 10,701,631/female 10,223,260)
15-64 years: 66.7% (male 25,896,326/female 25,327,403)
65 years and over: 6.1% (male 2,130,360/female 2,526,544) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.1 years
male: 27.7 years
female: 28.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.272% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Birth rate:
18.28 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Death rate:
6.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Net migration rate:
0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Urbanization:
urban population: 69% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.84 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 85 male: 25.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.23 years country comparison to the world: 125 male: 70.37 years
female: 74.19 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.18 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Turk(s)
adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups:
Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)
Religions:
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
Languages:
Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.4%
male: 95.3%
female: 79.6% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 155
Government ::Turkey
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Turkey
conventional short form: Turkey
local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Turkiye
Government type:
republican parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Ankara
geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman,Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan,Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol,Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli,Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir,Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta,Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars,Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli,Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus,Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa,Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond),Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak
Independence:
29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
Constitution:
7 November 1982; amended 17 May 1987, 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2010; note - amendment passed by referendum concerning presidential elections on 21 October 2007
Legal system:
civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament
election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339
note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections
Legislative branch:
unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held by July 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 46.7%, CHP 20.8%, MHP 14.3%, independents 5.2%, other 13.0%; seats by party - AKP 341, CHP 112, MHP 71, independents 26; note - seats by party as of 15 November 2010 - AKP 335, CHP 101, MHP 70, BDP 20, DSP 6, DP 1, TP 1, independents 7, vacant 9 (BDP entered parliament as independents; DSP entered parliament on CHP's party list; DP and TP switched to their respective parties after having been elected to parliament as an independent or on the list of another party); only parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Left Party or DSP [Masum TURKER]; Democratic Party or DP[Husamettin CINDORUK]; Equality and Democracy Party or EDP [ZivaHALIS]; Felicity Party or SP [Necmettin ERBAKAN] (sometimestranslated as Contentment Party); Freedom and Solidarity Party orODP [Alper TAS]; Grand Unity Party or BBP [Yalcin TOPCU]; Justiceand Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]; NationalistMovement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]; Peace and Democracy Party orBDP [Selahattin DEMIRTAS]; People's Rise Party or HSP [NumanKURTULMUS]; Republican People's Party or CHP [Kemal KILICDAROGLU];Turkey Party [Abdullatif SENER]
note: the parties listed above are some of the more significant of the 61 parties that Turkey had according to the Ministry of Interior statistics current as of May 2009
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey or TUSKON[Rizanur MERAL}; Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [SamiEVREN]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK[Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen'sAssociation or MUSIAD [Omer Cihad VARDAN]; Moral Rights WorkersUnion or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Confederation of Employers'Unions or TISK [Tugrul KUDATGOBILIK]; Turkish Confederation of Laboror Turk-Is [Mustafa KUMLU]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen andCraftsmen or TESK [Bendevi PALANDOKEN]; Turkish Industrialists' andBusinessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Umit BOYNER]; Turkish Union ofChambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. RifatHISARCIKLIOGLU]
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN(observer), CICA, D-8, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (applicant), FAO, FATF,G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE,Paris Club (associate), PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC