$107.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $104.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$6.378 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.891 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$18.64 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $15.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$15.32 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $13.92 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2648 (2010), 1.2535 (2009), 1.2112 (2008), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006)
Communications ::Libya
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.101 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 74
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.004 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 95
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile-cellular telephone system became operational in 1996
domestic: multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cable to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2009)
Broadcast media:
state controls broadcast media; state-owned terrestrial TV station and about a half-dozen state-owned satellite stations broadcast; some provinces operate local TV stations; a single, non-state-owned TV station launched in 2007; pan-Arab satellite TV stations are available; state-owned radio broadcasts on a number of frequencies, some of which carry regional programming; Voice of Africa, Libya's external radio service, can also be heard; a single, non-state-owned radio station broadcasting (2007)
Internet country code:
.ly
Internet hosts:
12,432 (2010) country comparison to the world: 120
Internet users:
353,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 124
Transportation ::Libya
Airports:
137 (2010) country comparison to the world: 42
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 59
over 3,047 m: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 78
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 42
under 914 m: 17 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 100,024 km country comparison to the world: 43 paved: 57,214 km
unpaved: 42,810 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 27 country comparison to the world: 89 by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2, UK 1)
registered in other countries: 5 (Hong Kong 1, Malta 4) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli
Military ::Libya
Military branches:
Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan ArabAir Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya,LAAF), Libyan Coast Guard (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,746,512
females age 16-49: 1,683,390 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,490,011
females age 16-49: 1,436,613 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 59,842
female: 57,357 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Transnational Issues ::Libya
Disputes - international:
Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008)
page last updated on January 25, 2011
======================================================================
@Liechtenstein (Europe)
Introduction ::Liechtenstein
Background:
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.
Geography ::Liechtenstein
Location:
Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 160 sq km country comparison to the world: 218 land: 160 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 76 km
border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain:
mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m
highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural resources:
hydroelectric potential, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
People ::Liechtenstein
Population:
35,002 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.6% (male 2,877/female 2,901)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 11,917/female 12,220)
65 years and over: 13.9% (male 2,085/female 2,761) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.4 years
male: 40.8 years
female: 41.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.683% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Birth rate:
9.69 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Death rate:
7.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Net migration rate:
4.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Urbanization:
urban population: 14% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.006 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 201 male: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.19 years country comparison to the world: 24 male: 76.73 years
female: 83.66 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.53 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Liechtensteiner(s)
adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups:
Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)
Languages:
German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 16 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
Government ::Liechtenstein
Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form: Liechtenstein
local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
local short form: Liechtenstein
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Vaduz
geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence:
23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)
National holiday:
Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution:
5 October 1921; amended 15 September 2003
Legal system:
local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state
head of government: Head of Government Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 25 March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 February 2009 (next to be held in February 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - VU 47.6%, FBP 43.5%, FL 8.9%; seats by party - VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht
Political parties and leaders:
Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Wolfgang MARXER];Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP[Alexander BATLINER]; Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU[Adolf HEEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO,ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention (de facto member),UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE
chancery: 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti
National anthem:
name: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)
lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/unknown
note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; the anthem uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"
Economy ::Liechtenstein
Economy - overview:
Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and the highest per capita income in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. In 2008, Liechtenstein came under renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.16 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 168 $4.035 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.603 billion (2007)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$122,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 39%
services: 54% (2007)
Labor force:
32,440 of whom 16,200 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (2008) country comparison to the world: 202
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 43.5%
services: 55.4% (December 2006)
Unemployment rate:
1.5% (31 December 2007) country comparison to the world: 8 1.3% (September 2002)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.5% (2009) country comparison to the world: 12
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Industries:
electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Industrial production growth rate:
Exports:
$3.92 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 117
Exports - commodities:
small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Imports:
$2.59 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 145
Imports - commodities:
agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Debt - external:
$0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 196
Exchange rates:
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0723 (2010), 1.0881 (2009), 1.0774 (2008), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006)
Communications ::Liechtenstein
Telephones - main lines in use:
19,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195
Telephones - mobile cellular:
35,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 200
Telephone system:
general assessment: automatic telephone system
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2008)
Broadcast media:
relies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based television station established August 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates several radio stations in Liechtenstein (2008)
Internet country code:
.li
Internet hosts:
9,418 (2010) country comparison to the world: 124
Internet users:
23,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190
Transportation ::Liechtenstein
Pipelines:
gas 20 km (2009)
Railways:
9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008)
Roadways:
total: 380 km country comparison to the world: 200 paved: 380 km (2010)
Waterways:
28 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 107
Military ::Liechtenstein
Military branches:
no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,041 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,559
females age 16-49: 6,782 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 209
female: 208 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Liechtenstein has no military forces but is interested in European security policy and is an active member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Transnational Issues ::Liechtenstein
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector
page last updated on January 3, 2011
======================================================================
@Lithuania (Europe)
Introduction ::Lithuania
Background:
Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795 when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography ::Lithuania
Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 65,300 sq km country comparison to the world: 122 land: 62,680 sq km
water: 2,620 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,574 km
border countries: Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline:
90 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain:
lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Aukstojas 294 m
Natural resources:
peat, arable land, amber
Land use:
arable land: 44.81%
permanent crops: 0.9%
other: 54.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
70 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
24.5 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.33 cu km/yr (78%/15%/7%)
per capita: 971 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
People ::Lithuania
Population:
3,545,319 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.2% (male 258,423/female 245,115)
15-64 years: 69.6% (male 1,214,743/female 1,261,413)
65 years and over: 16.2% (male 198,714/female 376,771) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.7 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 42.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.276% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217
Birth rate:
9.21 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Death rate:
11.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Net migration rate:
-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.057 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female
total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 173 male: 7.61 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.12 years country comparison to the world: 87 male: 70.23 years
female: 80.29 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.24 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic groups:
Lithuanian 84%, Polish 6.1%, Russian 4.9%, Belarusian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.9% (2009)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)
Languages:
Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.6%
female: 99.6% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 85
Government ::Lithuania
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Vilnius
geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus
Independence:
11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
adopted 25 October 1992; last amended 13 July 2004
Legal system:
based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS (since 27 November 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
election results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 69.1%, Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS 11.8%, Valentinas MAZURONIS 6.2%, others 12.9%; Andrius KUBILIUS' government approved by Parliament 83-40 with 5 abstentions
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members elected by popular vote, 70 elected by proportional representation; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 and 26 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - TS-LKD 19.7%, TPP 15.1%, TT 12.7%, LSDP 11.7%, KDP+J 9%, LRLS 5.7%, LCS 5.3%, LLRA 4.8%, LVLS 3.7%, NS 3.6%, other 8.7%; seats by faction - TS-LKD 44, LSDP 26, TPP 16, TT 15, LRLS 11, KDP+J 10, LCS 8, LLRA 3, LVLS 3, NS 1, independent 4; note - seats by faction as of 15 March 2010 - TS-LKD 46, LSDP 25, TT 18, Christian Party 12, LS 11, DP 10, LCS 7, TPP 7, unaffiliated 5; note - TS-LKD, LS, LCS, and TPP form the ruling coalition
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Christian party [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]; Civil Democracy Party or PDP[Algimantas MATULEVICIUS]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles orLLRA [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI]; Homeland Union - Lithuanian ChristianDemocrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]; Labor Party or DP [ViktorUSPASKICH]; Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Gintautas BABRAVICIUS];Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]; LithuanianFarmers' Union or LVLS or VLS [ Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]; LithuanianPeople's Party (not yet officially established) [KazimieraPRUNSKIENE]; National Revival or TPP [Arunas VALINSKAS]; New Union(Social Liberal) or NS [Arturas PAULAUSKAS]; Order and Justice Partyor TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]; Social Democratic Party or LSDP [AlgirdasBUTKEVICIUS]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS(observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Zygimantas PAVILIONIS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE
embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106
mailing address: American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106
telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland
National anthem:
name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; the anthem was written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; it was banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Economy ::Lithuania
Economy - overview:
Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a growing percentage of total trade. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. Lithuania's economy grew on average 8% per year for the four years prior to 2008 driven by exports and domestic demand. However, GDP plunged nearly 15% in 2009 - during the 2008-09 crisis the three former Soviet Baltic republics had the world's worst economic declines. In 2009, the government launched a high-profile campaign, led by Prime Minister KUBILIUS, to attract foreign investment and to develop export markets. The current account deficit, which had risen to roughly 15% of GDP in 2007-08, recovered to a surplus of 4% 2009 and 3.5% in 2010 in the wake of a cutback in imports to almost half the 2008 level. Nevertheless, economic growth was flat and unemployment continued upward to 16% in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$56.22 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $55.99 billion (2009 est.)
$65.72 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$35.73 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 -14.8% (2009 est.)
2.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $15,700 (2009 est.)
$18,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.3%
industry: 27.6%
services: 68.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.633 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 29.1%
services: 56.9% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
16% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 13.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
4% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36 (2005) country comparison to the world: 85 34 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Public debt:
36.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 29.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 4.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (February 2010) country comparison to the world: 105 4.73% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.39% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 8.41% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$8.917 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 73 $8.896 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$17.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $17.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$25.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $25.85 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.477 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.625 billion (31 December 2008)
$10.13 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry
Industrial production growth rate:
2.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Electricity - production:
12.09 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - consumption:
9.612 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - exports:
6.606 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
5.649 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
6,333 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - consumption:
74,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Oil - exports:
137,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - imports:
204,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Oil - proved reserves:
12 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - consumption:
3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - imports:
3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Current account balance:
$1.231 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $1.492 billion (2009 est.)
Exports: