Political parties and leaders:
Badr Organization [Hadi al-AMIRI]; Da'wa al-Islamiya Party [PrimeMinister Nuri al-MALIKI]; Da'wa Tanzim [Hashim al-MUSAWI branch];Da-wa Tanzim [Abd al-Karim al-ANZI branch]; Fadilah Party [Hashimal-HASHIMI]; Hadba Gathering [Athil al-NUJAYFI]; Iraqi CharterAssembly [Ahmad Abd al-Ghafur al-SAMARRAI]; Iraqi ConstitutionalParty [Jawad al-BULANI]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salihal-MUTLAQ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Usama al-TIKRITI]; IraqiJustice and Reform Movement [Shaykh Abdallah al-YAWR]; IraqiNational Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National Accord orINA [former Prime Minister Ayad ALLAWI]; Islamic Supreme Council ofIraq or ISCI [Ammar al-HAKIM]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP[Kurdistan Regional Government President Masud BARZANI]; NationalGathering [Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-ISSAWI]; National Movementfor Reform and Development [Jamal al-KARBULI]; National Reform Trend[former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI]; Patriotic Union ofKurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]; Renewal List [Vice PresidentTariq al-HASHIMI]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR]; Sahawa al-Iraq[Ahmad al-RISHAWI]; Tawafuq Front
note: numerous smaller local, tribal, and minority parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sunni militias; Shia militias, some associated with political parties
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU,ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI
chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James F. Jeffrey
embassy: Baghdad
mailing address: APO AE 09316
telephone: 1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; 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); the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise temporary replacement for the Ba'athist Saddam-era flag
note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band
National anthem:
name: "Mawtini" (My Homeland)
lyrics/music: Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
note: adopted 2004; following the ousting of Saddam HUSSEIN, Iraq adopted "Mawtini," a popular folk song throughout the Arab world, which also serves as an unofficial anthem of the Palestinian people
Economy ::Iraq
Economy - overview:
An improved security environment and an initial wave of foreign investment are helping to spur economic activity, particularly in the energy, construction, and retail sectors. Broader economic improvement, long-term fiscal health, and sustained increases in the standard of living still depend on the government passing major policy reforms and on continued development of Iraq's massive oil reserves. Although foreign investors viewed Iraq with increasing interest in 2010, most are still hampered by difficulties in acquiring land for projects and by other regulatory impediments. Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides over 90% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Since mid-2009, oil export earnings have returned to levels seen before Operation Iraqi Freedom and government revenues have rebounded, along with global oil prices. In 2011 Baghdad probably will increase oil exports above the current level of 1.9 million barrels per day (bbl/day) as a result of new contracts with international oil companies, but is likely to fall short of the 2.4 million bbl/day it is forecasting in its budget. Iraq is making modest progress in building the institutions needed to implement economic policy. In 2010, Bagdad signed a new agreement with both the IMF and World Bank for conditional aid programs that will help strengthen Iraq's economic institutions. Some reform-minded leaders within the Iraqi government are seeking to pass laws to strengthen the economy. This legislation includes a package of laws to establish a modern legal framework for the oil sector and a mechanism to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation, although these and other important reforms are still under contentious and sporadic negotiation. Iraq's recent contracts with major oil companies have the potential to greatly expand oil revenues, but Iraq will need to upgrade its oil processing, pipeling, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their potential. The Government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to gain additional foreign investment in Iraq's economy. This includes an amendment to the National Investment Law, multiple international trade and investment events, as well as potential participation in joint ventures with state-owned enterprises. Provincial Councils also are using their own budgets to promote and facilitate investment at the local level. However, widespread corruption, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient essential services, and antiquated commercial laws and regulations stifle investment and continue to constrain the growth of private, non-energy sectors. The Central Bank has successfully held the exchange rate at approximately 1,170 Iraqi dinar/US dollar since January 2009. Inflation has decreased consistently since 2006 as the security situation has improved. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into improved lives for ordinary Iraqis. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. Reducing corruption and implementing reforms - such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector - would be important steps in this direction.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$117.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $111.5 billion (2009 est.)
$106.7 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$84.14 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 4.5% (2009 est.)
7.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $3,600 (2009 est.)
$3,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.7%
industry: 63%
services: 27.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
8.5 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 21.6%
industry: 18.7%
services: 59.8% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 15.2% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line:
25% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 6.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
8.83% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 16 16.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.64% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 19.5% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$35.69 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 50 $30.02 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$46.01 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $37.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$21.94 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $10.16 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.6 billion (31 July 2010) country comparison to the world: 93 $2 billion (31 July 2009)
$1.878 billion (31 March 2008)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry
Industries:
petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing
Industrial production growth rate:
4.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - production:
46.39 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - consumption:
52 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
5.6 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
2.399 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Oil - consumption:
687,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Oil - exports:
1.91 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Oil - imports:
116,900 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Oil - proved reserves:
115 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Natural gas - production:
1.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - consumption:
9.454 billion cu m country comparison to the world: 48 note: 1.48 billion cu m were flared (2008 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Current account balance:
$2.715 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 -$19.9 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$49.1 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $40.86 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels, food and live animals
Exports - partners:
US 27.62%, India 14.45%, Italy 10.14%, South Korea 8.62%, Taiwan 5.61%, China 4.23%, Netherlands 4.13%, Japan 3.99% (2009)
Imports:
$42.56 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $50 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food, medicine, manufactures
Imports - partners:
Turkey 24.99%, Syria 17.36%, US 8.66%, China 6.79%, Jordan 4.17%,Italy 3.98%, Germany 3.97% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$45.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $44.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$52.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $73 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Iraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar - 1,170 (2010), 1,170 (2009), 1,176 (2008), 1,255 (2007), 1,466 (2006)
Communications ::Iraq
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.108 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 73
Telephones - mobile cellular:
19.722 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 40
Telephone system:
general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly and its subscribership base is expected to continue increasing rapidly
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; mobile-cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait with planned connections to Iran and Jordan; a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable is planned (2009)
Broadcast media:
the number of private radio and television stations has increased rapidly since 2003; government-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly-funded Iraqi Public Broadcasting Service; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to an estimated 70% of viewers and many of the broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2007)
Internet country code:
.iq
Internet hosts:
9 (2010) country comparison to the world: 222
Internet users:
325,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 126
Transportation ::Iraq
Airports:
104 (2010) country comparison to the world: 58
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 75
over 3,047 m: 20
2,438 to 3,047 m: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Heliports:
21 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 2,501 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,032 km; refined products 1,637 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,272 km country comparison to the world: 69 standard gauge: 2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 44,900 km country comparison to the world: 83 paved: 37,851 km
unpaved: 7,049 km (2002)
Waterways:
5,279 km country comparison to the world: 23 note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 2 country comparison to the world: 147 by type: petroleum tanker 2
registered in other countries: 2 (Marshall Islands 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr
Military ::Iraq
Military branches:
Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Iraqi Special OperationsForce, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi CoastalDefense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18-40 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,541,723
females age 16-49: 7,238,553 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,402,171
females age 16-49: 6,232,674 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 323,328
female: 313,360 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
8.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 4
Transnational Issues ::Iraq
Disputes - international:
coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring internal and cross-border security; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 10,000-15,000 (Palestinian Territories); 11,773 (Iran); 16,832 (Turkey)
IDPs: 2.4 million (ongoing US-led war and ethno-sectarian violence) (2007)
page last updated on January 26, 2011
======================================================================
@Ireland (Europe)
Introduction ::Ireland
Background:
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.
Geography ::Ireland
Location:
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 70,273 sq km country comparison to the world: 119 land: 68,883 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: UK 360 km
Coastline:
1,448 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain:
mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite
Land use:
arable land: 16.82%
permanent crops: 0.03%
other: 83.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Total renewable water resources:
46.8 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.18 cu km/yr (23%/77%/0%)
per capita: 284 cu m/yr (1994)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin
People ::Ireland
Population:
4,622,917 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.9% (male 454,571/female 424,022)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,411,336/female 1,409,760)
65 years and over: 12% (male 224,850/female 278,661) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 34.5 years
male: 34.1 years
female: 34.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.007% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Birth rate:
16.37 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Death rate:
6.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.057 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 206 male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.07 years country comparison to the world: 26 male: 77.86 years
female: 82.41 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.03 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
5,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Nationality:
noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
adjective: Irish
Ethnic groups:
Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)
Languages:
English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic orGaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas along the western coast
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 18 years
male: 18 years
female: 18 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 73
Government ::Ireland
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Ireland
local long form: none
local short form: Eire
Government type:
republic, parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Dublin
geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
29 counties and 5 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*,Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*,Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Limerick*,Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, North Tipperary, Offaly,Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, South Tipperary, Waterford,Waterford*, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
Independence:
6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)
National holiday:
Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
Constitution:
adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937
Legal system:
based on English common law substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997)
head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian COWEN (since 7 May 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE was appointed to a second term when no other candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) and appointed by the president
election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in July 2007 (next to be held probably in early 2011); House of Representatives - last held on 24 May 2007 (next to be held probably in early 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 28, Fine Gael 14, Labor Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, Green Party 2, Sein Fein 1, independents 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.6%, Fine Gael 27.3%, Labor Party 10.1%, Sinn Fein 6.9%, Green Party 4.7%, Progressive Democrats 2.7%, other 6.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 78, Fine Gael 51, Labor Party 20, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, independents 4, Speaker of the Dail 1; note - through dissertions and attrition the makeup of both houses is greatly changed
note: on 8 November 2008, delegates voted to disband the Progressive Democrats, and in November 2009 it officially stopped operating as a political party
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Fianna Fail [Brian COWEN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [JohnGORMLEY]; Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]; Progressive Democrats or PD[Noel GREALISH] (formerly dissolved on 20 November 2009); Sinn Fein[Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party[Michael FINNEGAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian MCCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence); Families Against Intimidation and Terror or FAIT (oppose terrorism); Gaeltacht Civil Rights Campaign (Coiste Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeilge) or CCSG (encourages the use of the Irish language and campaigns for greater civil rights in Irish speaking areas); Iona Institute [David QUINN] (a conservative Catholic think tank); Irish Anti-War Movement [Richard Boyd BARRETT] (campaigns against wars around the world); Irish Republican Army or IRA (terrorist group); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters); Peace and Neutrality Alliance [Roger COLE] (campaigns to protect Irish neutrality); Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters); 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports a fully sovereign Ireland); Ulster Defence Association or UDA (terrorist group)
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael COLLINS
chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel ROONEY
embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange
note: similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red
National anthem:
name: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier"s Song)
lyrics/music: Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
note: adopted 1926; instead of "Amhran na bhFiann," the song "Ireland"s Call" is often used in athletic events where citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team
Economy ::Ireland
Economy - overview:
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland joined 11 other EU nations in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity has dropped sharply since 2008 with GDP falling by over 3% in 2008, nearly 8% in 2009, and 1% in 2010, and further contraction is expectd in 2011. Ireland entered into a recession for the first time in more than a decade with the onset of the world financial crisis and subsequent severe slowdown in its domestic property and construction markets. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Although the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's economy, construction most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2007 than in any other developed economy. However, average home prices have fallen 50% from the 2007 peak. In 2008 the COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. In 2009, in an effort to stabilize the banking sector, the Irish Government established the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to acquire problem commercial property and development loans from Irish banks. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. In addition to across-the-board cuts in spending, the 2009 budget included wage reductions for all public servants. These measures were not sufficient. The budget deficit reached nearly 38% of GDP in 2010 because of additional government support for the banking sector. In late 2010, the COWEN Government agreed to a $112 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize its banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt, and initiated a four-year austerity plan to cut an additional $20 billion from its budget.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$174 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $175.1 billion (2009 est.)
$189.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$204.1 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 -7.6% (2009 est.)
-3.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $38,200 (2009 est.)
$41,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 46%
services: 49% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
2.18 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 27%
services: 67% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 11.8% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
4.2% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 108 35.9 (1987)
Investment (gross fixed):
12.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Public debt:
98.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 64.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 -4.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 118 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.32% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 6.76% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$127.7 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 26 $141 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$257.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $275.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$745.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $738.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$29.88 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 50 $49.4 billion (31 December 2008)
$144 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products
Industries:
steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and crystal; software, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - production:
26.06 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - consumption:
25.12 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - exports:
303 million kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
753 million kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Oil - consumption:
164,600 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Oil - exports:
22,410 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Oil - imports:
192,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - production:
392 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - consumption:
5.112 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - imports:
4.723 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - proved reserves:
9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Current account balance:
-$3.191 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 -$6.762 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$115.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $107.3 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products
Exports - partners:
US 20.52%, Belgium 17.78%, UK 16.31%, Germany 5.66%, France 5.56%,Spain 4.19% (2009)
Imports:
$70.36 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $62.22 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
Imports - partners:
UK 35.28%, US 16.87%, Germany 6.76%, Netherlands 5.86%, France 4.76% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$2.154 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.131 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 10 $2.356 trillion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$221.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $198.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$192.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $180.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Ireland
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.08 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 54
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.871 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 98
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay
domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access
international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast media:
publicly-owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial television stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2007)
Internet country code:
.ie
Internet hosts:
1.339 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 36
Internet users:
3.042 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67
Transportation ::Ireland
Airports:
39 (2010) country comparison to the world: 105
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 21 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,550 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,237 km country comparison to the world: 53 broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 96,036 km country comparison to the world: 48 paved: 96,036 km (includes 423 km of expressways) (2008)
Waterways:
956 km (pleasure craft only) (2008) country comparison to the world: 68
Merchant marine:
total: 28 country comparison to the world: 87 by type: cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 1
foreign-owned: 5 (Norway 3, US 2)
registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 3, Bermuda 2, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Kazakhstan 1, Malta 1, Netherlands 7, Panama 1, Slovakia 1, Sweden 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes, Waterford
Military ::Ireland
Military branches:
Irish Defense Forces (IDF; Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army, NavalService, Air Corps (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces (RDF); maximum obligation 12 years (5 years IDF, 7 years RDF); EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,031,985
females age 16-49: 1,030,606 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 858,317
females age 16-49: 855,125 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,987
female: 26,240 (2010 est.)