Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution:
3 November 1978
Legal system:
based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 1 October 2003 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL consented to a second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of the opposition
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats; 9 members appointed, 21 elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 18 December 2009 (next to be held in 2015); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period
election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 61.2%, UWP 34.9%; seats by party - DLP 18, UWP 3
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
Political parties and leaders:
Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica LaborParty or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party orUWP [Earl WILLIAMS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)
International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU,ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PetroCaribe, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hubert J. CHARLES
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica
Flag description:
green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a Sisserou Parrot, unique to Dominica, encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes); green symbolizes the island's lush vegetation; the triple-colored cross represents the Christian Trinity; the yellow color denotes sunshine, the main agricultural products (citrus and bananas), and the native Carib Indians; black is for the rich soil and the African heritage of most citizens; white signifies rivers, waterfalls, and the purity of aspirations; the red disc stands for social justice
National anthem:
name: "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendor"
lyrics/music: Wilfred Oscar Morgan POND/Lemuel McPherson CHRISTIAN
note: adopted 1967
Economy ::Dominica
Economy - overview:
The Dominican economy has been dependent on agriculture - primarily bananas - in years past, but increasingly has been driven by tourism as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. In order to diversify the island's production base, the government also is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and has signed an agreement with the EU to develop geothermal energy resources. In 2003, the government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address an economic and financial crisis and to meet IMF requirements. This restructuring paved the way for an economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a two-decade high - and helped to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 85% of GDP. Hurricane Dean struck the island in August 2007 causing damages equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2009, growth slowed as a result of the global recession; it picked up only slightly in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$765.4 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $754.8 million (2009 est.)
$757.1 million (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$375 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 -0.3% (2009 est.)
3.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $10,400 (2009 est.)
$10,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.7%
industry: 32.8%
services: 49.5% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
25,000 (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 32%
services: 28% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
23% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Population below poverty line:
30% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Public debt:
78% of GDP (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 85% of GDP (2006 est.) (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 2.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 61 6.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.02% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 9.06% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$74.84 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 183 $67.94 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$398.5 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 176 $362 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$213.6 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $193.1 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, citrus, mangos, root crops, coconuts, cocoa
note: forest and fishery potential not exploited
Industries:
soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
85 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - consumption:
79.05 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Oil - imports:
838 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Current account balance:
-$72 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Exports:
$94 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 194
Exports - commodities:
bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
Exports - partners:
Japan 28.62%, UK 19.81%, Antigua and Barbuda 7.7%, Guyana 6.52%,Jamaica 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.2% (2009)
Imports:
$296 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 196
Imports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Japan 31.29%, US 19.73%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.8%, China 11.58% (2009)
Debt - external:
$213 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 174
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
Communications ::Dominica
Telephones - main lines in use:
17,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 196
Telephones - mobile cellular:
106,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 184
Telephone system:
general assessment: fully automatic network
domestic: Fixed-line teledensity is roughly 25 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approached 150 per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 1-767; landing points for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and the Global Caribbean Network (GCN) submarine cables providing connectivity to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia
Broadcast media:
no terrestrial television service available; subscription cable TV provider offers some locally produced programming plus channels from the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean; state-operated radio broadcasts on 6 stations; privately-owned radio broadcasts on about 15 stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.dm
Internet hosts:
718 (2010) country comparison to the world: 174
Internet users:
28,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 182
Transportation ::Dominica
Airports:
2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 208
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 780 km country comparison to the world: 187 paved: 393 km
unpaved: 387 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 40 country comparison to the world: 78 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 20, chemical tanker 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 37 (Australia 1, Estonia 6, Germany 2, Greece 9, India 2, Latvia 1, Norway 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 1, Syria 2, Turkey 1, Ukraine 2)
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Portsmouth, Roseau
Military ::Dominica
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,975 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,963
females age 16-49: 15,426 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 729
female: 688 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Transnational Issues ::Dominica
Disputes - international:
Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008)
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Dominican Republic (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Dominican Republic
Background:
Explored and claimed by Christopher COLUMBUS on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was since reelected to a second consecutive term.
Geography ::Dominican Republic
Location:
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 48,670 sq km country comparison to the world: 131 land: 48,320 sq km
water: 350 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: Haiti 360 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 6 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Terrain:
rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m
highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m
Natural resources:
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land: 22.49%
permanent crops: 10.26%
other: 67.25% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
21 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.39 cu km/yr (32%/2%/66%)
per capita: 381 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti
People ::Dominican Republic
Population:
9,823,821 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.4% (male 1,543,141/female 1,488,016)
15-64 years: 62.7% (male 3,087,351/female 2,960,319)
65 years and over: 5.9% (male 264,476/female 306,751) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.8 years
male: 25.6 years
female: 26 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.357% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Birth rate:
19.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Death rate:
4.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Net migration rate:
-2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Urbanization:
urban population: 69% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 90 male: 25.11 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.15 years country comparison to the world: 60 male: 75.01 years
female: 79.38 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.47 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
62,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
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: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groups:
mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
Languages:
Spanish (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87%
male: 86.8%
female: 87.2% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 13 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 165
Government ::Dominican Republic
Country name:
conventional long form: Dominican Republic
conventional short form: The Dominican
local long form: Republica Dominicana
local short form: La Dominicana
Government type:
democratic republic
Capital:
name: Santo Domingo
geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district*(distrito); Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*,Duarte, El Seibo, Elias Pina, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia,La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, MonsenorNouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata,Salcedo, Samana, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, SanPedro de Macoris, Sanchez Ramirez, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez,Santo Domingo, Valverde
Independence:
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution:
28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002 and January 2010
Legal system:
based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age; note - members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held on 16 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012)
election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY less than 5%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (178 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 16 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 16 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 31, PRD 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 105, PRD 75, PRSC 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an additional non-governing party congressional representative)
Political parties and leaders:
Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna];Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Ramon ALBURQUERQUE]; NationalProgressive Front [Vincent CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]; SocialChristian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ANTUN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation for Institution-Building and Justice (FINJUS)
International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES,LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG,SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina,UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto B. SALADIN Selin
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280
consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Sun Valley (California)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raul H. YZAGUIRRE
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500
telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171
Flag description:
a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes
National anthem:
name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD"HOMME/Jose REYES
note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island
Economy ::Dominican Republic
Economy - overview:
The Dominican Republic has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for nearly 60% of exports. Remittances from the US amount to about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP. High unemployment and underemployment remains an important long-term challenge. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and exports and reducing losses to the Asian garment industry. The growth of the Dominican Republic's economy slowed in 2008-09 because of the global recession, but still remained one of the fastest growing in the region.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$84.94 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $81.52 billion (2009 est.)
$78.76 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$50.87 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 3.5% (2009 est.)
5.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $8,400 (2009 est.)
$8,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.5%
industry: 21%
services: 67.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
4.498 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14.6%
industry: 22.3%
services: 63.1% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 14.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
42.2% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 38.7% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 25 47.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Public debt:
41.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 40.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 1.4% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18.14% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 19.95% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$4.734 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 93 $4.079 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$15.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $14 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$21.63 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $18.91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs
Industries:
tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - production:
14.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - consumption:
12.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Oil - consumption:
118,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Oil - imports:
116,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - consumption:
470 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - imports:
470 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Current account balance:
-$3.862 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 -$2.328 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$6.161 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.462 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods
Exports - partners:
US 54.08%, Haiti 9.78% (2009)
Imports:
$14.53 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $12.28 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:
US 42.79%, Venezuela 7.04%, Mexico 6.17%, Colombia 5.59% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.705 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $2.905 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$13.09 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $11.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$19.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $17.95 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$59 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 36.92 (2010), 36.027 (2009), 34.775 (2008), 33.113 (2007), 33.406 (2006)
Communications ::Dominican Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:
965,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 80
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.63 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 71
Telephone system:
general assessment: relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 10 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of roughly 75 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-809; landing point for the AmericasRegion Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), Antillas 1, and theFibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and CentralAmerica, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
combination of state-owned and privately-owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned television network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately-owned radio stations; more than 300 radio stations operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.do
Internet hosts:
283,298 (2010) country comparison to the world: 60
Internet users:
2.701 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 68
Transportation ::Dominican Republic
Airports:
35 (2010) country comparison to the world: 110
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 17 (2010)
Railways:
total: 1,784 km country comparison to the world: 77 standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,409 km 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges
note: 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076 m, 0.889 m, and 0.762-m gauges (2008)
Roadways:
total: 19,705 km country comparison to the world: 110 paved: 9,872 km
unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 country comparison to the world: 161 by type: cargo 1
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Andres (Boca Chica), Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo
Military ::Dominican Republic
Military branches:
Army, Navy (Marina de Guerra), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana,FAD) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
16-21 years of age for compulsory military service; recruits must be Dominican Republic citizens; women may volunteer (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,514,160
females age 16-49: 2,395,804 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,090,785
females age 16-49: 1,957,233 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 98,394
female: 94,576 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 154
Transnational Issues ::Dominican Republic
Disputes - international:
Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a large number of Dominican women are trafficked into prostitution and sexual exploitation in Western Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and Caribbean destinations; a significant number of women, boys, and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude
tier rating: Tier 3 - for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of not adequately investigating and prosecuting public officials who may be complicit with trafficking activity, and inadequate government efforts to protect trafficking victims; the government has taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts with children through criminal prosecutions (2008)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption (2008)
page last updated on January 12, 2011
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@Ecuador (South America)
Introduction ::Ecuador
Background:
What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador's last four democratically elected Presidents. In September 2008, voters approved a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence. General elections, under the new constitutional framework, were held in April 2009, and voters re-elected President Rafael CORREA.
Geography ::Ecuador
Location:
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 283,561 sq km country comparison to the world: 73 land: 276,841 sq km
water: 6,720 sq km
note: includes Galapagos Islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 2,010 km
border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,237 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath
Climate:
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Terrain:
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
note: due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea-level
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 4.81%
other: 89.48% (2005)
Irrigated land: