under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 56.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 38 male: 61.46 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 51.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.36 years country comparison to the world: 173 male: 61.35 years
female: 65.47 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.81 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
12,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Yemeni(s)
adjective: Yemeni
Ethnic groups:
predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans
Religions:
Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shia), small numbers ofJewish, Christian, and Hindu
Languages:
Arabic (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 50.2%
male: 70.5%
female: 30% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 11 years
female: 7 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 60
Government ::Yemen
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Yemen
conventional short form: Yemen
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah
local short form: Al Yaman
former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Sanaa
geographic coordinates: 15 21 N, 44 12 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
21 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan(Aden), Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, AlMahwit, Amanat al 'Asimah, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb,Lahij, Ma'rib, Raymah, Sa'dah, San'a' (Sanaa), Shabwah, Ta'izz
Independence:
22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen became independent in November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and became a republic with the overthrow of the theocratic Imamate in 1962; South Yemen became independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Unification Day, 22 May (1990)
Constitution:
16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001
Legal system:
based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad MUJAWWAR (since 31 March 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held on 20 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2013); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8%
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms)
elections: last held on 27 April 2003 (scheduled April 2009 election postponed for two years)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 47, YSP 6, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 5
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
General People's Congress or GPC [Abdul-Kader BAJAMMAL]; IslamicReform Grouping or Islah [Muhammed Abdallah AL-YADUMI]; NasseriteUnionist Party [Abd al-Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab SocialistBa'th Party [Dr. Qasim SALAM]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [YasinSaid NUMAN]; note - there are at least seven more active politicalparties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Muslim Brotherhood; Women National Committee
other: conservative tribal groups; Huthis, southern secessionist groups; al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
International organization participation:
AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW,UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI,UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI
chancery: 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald M. FEIERSTEIN
embassy: Sa'awan Street, Sanaa
mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa
telephone: [967] (1) 755-2000 ext. 2153 or 2266
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)
note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band
National anthem:
name: "al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic)
lyrics/music: Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI
note: adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990
Economy ::Yemen
Economy - overview:
Yemen is a low income country that is highly dependent on declining oil resources for revenue. Petroleum accounts for roughly 25% of GDP and 70% of government revenue. Yemen has tried to counter the effects of its declining oil resources by diversifying its economy through an economic reform program initiated in 2006 that is designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. In October 2009, Yemen exported its first liquefied natural gas as part of this diversification effort. In January 2010, the international community established the Friends of Yemen group that aims to support Yemen's efforts towards economic and political reform, and in August 2010 the IMF approved a three-year $370 million program to further this effort. Despite these ambitious endeavors, Yemen continues to face difficult long term challenges, including declining water resources and a high population growth rate.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$61.88 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $58.82 billion (2009 est.)
$56.67 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$30.02 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 3.8% (2009 est.)
3.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $2,600 (2009 est.)
$2,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.2%
industry: 38.8%
services: 53% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
6.832 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Labor force - by occupation:
note: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force
Unemployment rate:
35% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Population below poverty line:
45.2% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 30.8% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 76 33.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Public debt:
39.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 36.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 5.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 18% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.551 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 106 $3.74 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$9.739 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $9.552 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$5.297 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $5.098 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial ship repair; natural gas production
Industrial production growth rate:
9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - production:
5.665 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Electricity - consumption:
4.133 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
288,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Oil - consumption:
155,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Oil - exports:
274,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Oil - imports:
65,860 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Oil - proved reserves:
3.16 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Natural gas - production:
454,700 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - exports:
454,700 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - proved reserves:
478.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Current account balance:
-$2.181 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 -$2.328 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$7.462 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $5.812 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish, liquefied natural gas
Exports - partners:
China 36%, Thailand 17.63%, India 13.54%, South Africa 6.16%, Japan 5.49%, UAE 4.99% (2009)
Imports:
$8.35 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $7.518 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners:
China 13.98%, UAE 12.3%, India 8.63%, Saudi Arabia 5.8%, US 4.52%,Brazil 4.51%, Turkey 4.51%, Kuwait 4.33%, France 4.24% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$5.744 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $6.993 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.147 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $6.552 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Exchange rates:
Yemeni rials (YER) per US dollar - 220.05 (2010), 202.85 (2009), 199.76 (2008), 199.14 (2007), 197.18 (2006)
Communications ::Yemen
Telephones - main lines in use:
997,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 79
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.313 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 72
Telephone system:
general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network
domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, GSM and CDMA mobile-cellular telephone systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains low by regional standards
international: country code - 967; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti
Broadcast media:
state-run TV with 2 stations; state-run radio with 2 national radio stations and 5 local stations; stations from Oman and Saudi Arabia can be accessed (2007)
Internet country code:
.ye
Internet hosts:
255 (2010) country comparison to the world: 188
Internet users:
2.349 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 71
Transportation ::Yemen
Airports:
55 (2010) country comparison to the world: 85
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 17
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 38
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 10 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 423 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,367 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 71,300 km country comparison to the world: 67 paved: 6,200 km
unpaved: 65,100 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 6 country comparison to the world: 128 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 14 (Moldova 1, Panama 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom
Military ::Yemen
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Marines), Yemen Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jamahiriya al Yemeniya; includes Air Defense Force), Republican Guard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
voluntary military service program authorized in 2001; 2-year service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,458,642
females age 16-49: 5,205,387 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,902,186
females age 16-49: 3,952,370 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 279,283
female: 269,824 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
6.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 7
Military - note:
a Coast Guard was established in 2002
Transnational Issues ::Yemen
Disputes - international:
Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 91,587 (Somalia) (2007)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Zambia (Africa)
Introduction ::Zambia
Background:
The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anticorruption investigation in 2002 to probe high-level corruption during the previous administration. In 2006-07, this task force successfully prosecuted four cases, including a landmark civil case in the UK in which former President CHILUBA and numerous others were found liable for USD 41 million. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his abrupt death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his Vice President Rupiah BANDA, who subsequently won a special presidential election in October 2008.
Geography ::Zambia
Location:
Southern Africa, east of Angola
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 752,618 sq km country comparison to the world: 39 land: 743,398 sq km
water: 9,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,664 km
border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
Terrain:
mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m
highest point: unnamed elevation in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m
Natural resources:
copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 6.99%
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 92.97% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,560 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
105.2 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.74 cu km/yr (17%/7%/76%)
per capita: 149 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April)
Environment - current issues:
air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe
People ::Zambia
Population:
13,460,305 country comparison to the world: 69 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: 45.1% (male 2,685,142/female 2,659,771)
15-64 years: 52.6% (male 3,122,305/female 3,116,846)
65 years and over: 2.3% (male 114,477/female 164,199) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.5 years
male: 16.5 years
female: 16.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.118% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Birth rate:
44.63 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Death rate:
12.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Net migration rate:
-0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Urbanization:
urban population: 35% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 68.4 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 20 male: 73.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 63.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.03 years country comparison to the world: 209 male: 50.81 years
female: 53.28 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.07 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
15.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1.1 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
56,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Zambian(s)
adjective: Zambian
Ethnic groups:
African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 Census)
Religions:
Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages:
Bemba 30.1% (official), Nyanja 10.7% (official), Tonga 10.6% (official), Lozi 5.7% (official), Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda 2.2% (official), Kaonde 2% (official), Lala 2%, Luvale 1.7% (official), English 1.7% (official), other 22.5% (2000 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English
total population: 80.6%
male: 86.8%
female: 74.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 7 years (2000)
Education expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 178
Government ::Zambia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Zambia
conventional short form: Zambia
former: Northern Rhodesia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Lusaka
geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western
Independence:
24 October 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
Constitution:
24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits
Legal system:
based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008); note - President BANDA was acting president during the illness leading up to the death of President Levy MWANAWASA on 18 August 2008, he was then elected president on 30 October 2008 to serve out the remainder of MWANAWASA's term; the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of 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 30 October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term
election results: Rupiah BANDA elected president; percent of vote - Rupiah BANDA 40.1%, Michael SATA 38.1%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 19.7%, Godfrey MIYANDA 0.8%, other 1.3%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, 8 members appointed by the president, to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 September 2006 (next to be held in October 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MMD 72, PF 44, UDA 27, ULP 2, NDF 1, independents 2; seats not determined 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases)
Political parties and leaders:
Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI]; HeritageParty or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy orMMD [vacant]; Party of Unity for Democracy and Development or PUDD[Dan PULE]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Reform Party[Nevers MUMBA]; United Democratic Alliance or UDA (a coalition ofRP, ZADECO, PUDD, and ZRP); United Liberal Party or ULP [SakwibaSIKOTA]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [TilyenjiKAUNDA]; United Party for National Development or UPND [HakaindeHICHILEMA]; Zambia Democratic Congress or ZADECO [Langton SICHONE];Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA,SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI,UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Shelia Z. SIWELA
chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael KOPLOVSKY
embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues, Lusaka
mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka
telephone: [260] (211) 250-955
Flag description:
green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems
National anthem:
name: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)
lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem
Economy ::Zambia
Economy - overview:
Zambia's economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-08 about 6% per year. Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Poverty remains a significant problem in Zambia, despite a stronger economy. Declining world commodity prices and demand slowed GDP growth in 2008, but a sharp rebound in copper prices and a bumper maize crop helped Zambia recover. Lack of economic diversity subjects Zambia to fluctuations in copper prices and in the weather.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$20.03 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $18.72 billion (2009 est.)
$17.61 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$15.69 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 6.3% (2009 est.)
5.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 $1,400 (2009 est.)
$1,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 19.7%
industry: 33.7%
services: 46.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.524 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 85%
industry: 6%
services: 9% (2004)
Unemployment rate:
50% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Population below poverty line:
86% (1993)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 38.8% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.8 (2004) country comparison to the world: 20 52.6 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Public debt:
24.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 25.9% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 13.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
8.39% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 23 14.49% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
22.06% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 19.06% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.234 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 132 $983.3 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$3.573 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $2.744 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.992 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $2.373 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $2.346 billion (31 December 2007)
$1.186 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee; cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides
Industries:
copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture
Industrial production growth rate:
12.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Electricity - production:
9.752 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - consumption:
8.838 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - exports:
268 million kWh (2007)
Electricity - imports:
222 million kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
160 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - consumption:
16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - exports:
275 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Oil - imports:
14,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Current account balance:
-$99 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 -$174 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$6.463 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $4.203 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity; tobacco, flowers, cotton
Exports - partners:
China 21.37%, Saudi Arabia 8.93%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.55%, South Korea 8.32%, Egypt 8.08%, South Africa 6.96%, India 5% (2009)
Imports:
$4.949 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.735 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:
South Africa 51.78%, UAE 7.7%, China 5.85%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.22% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.287 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $1.892 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.495 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $3.091 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 4,823.6 (2010), 5,046.1 (2009), 3,512.9 (2008), 3,990.2 (2007), 3,601.5 (2006)
Communications ::Zambia
Telephones - main lines in use:
90,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 145
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.407 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 101
Telephone system:
general assessment: among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel
Broadcast media:
state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 1 TV station and is the principal local-content provider; several private TV stations are available; multi-channel subscription TV services are obtainable; ZNBC operates 3 radio networks; about 2 dozen private radio stations also broadcasting; relays of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Lusaka and Kitwe (2007)
Internet country code:
.zm
Internet hosts:
14,771 (2010) country comparison to the world: 118
Internet users:
816,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 105
Transportation ::Zambia
Airports:
94 (2010) country comparison to the world: 64
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 86
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 63
under 914 m: 18 (2010)
Pipelines:
oil 771 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,157 km country comparison to the world: 71 narrow gauge: 2,157 km 1.067-m gauge