:Egypt Economy Overview: Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World economies, most industrial plants being owned by the government. Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. As part of the 1987 agreement with the IMF, the government agreed to institute a reform program to reduce inflation, promote economic growth, and improve its external position. The reforms have been slow in coming, however, and the economy has been largely stagnant for the past four years. The addition of 1 million people every seven months to Egypt's population exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the total land area available for agriculture. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $39.2 billion, per capita $720; real growth rate 2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $9.4 billion; expenditures $15.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $6 billion (FY90 est.) Exports: $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals partners: EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan Imports: $11.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods partners: EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe External debt: $38 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 13,500,000 kW capacity; 45,000 million kWh produced, 820 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP and employs more than one-third of labor force; dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world's sixth-largest cotton exporter; other crops produced include rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food; livestock - cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $10.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion :Egypt Economy Currency: Egyptian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Egyptian pound (#E) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (#E) per US$1 - 3.3310 (January 1992), 2.7072 (1990), 2.5171 (1989), 2.2233 (1988), 1.5183 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Egypt Communications Railroads: 5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347 km 0.750-meter gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified Highways: 51,925 km total; 17,900 km paved, 2,500 km gravel, 13,500 km improved earth, 18,025 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 meters of water Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km Ports: Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta Merchant marine: 150 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,019,182 GRT/1,499,880 DWT; includes 11 passenger, 5 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 86 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 15 roll-on/roll-off, 12 petroleum tanker, 15 bulk, 1 container Civil air: 50 major transport aircraft Airports: 92 total, 82 usable; 66 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 44 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 24 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: system is large but still inadequate for needs; principal centers are Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez and Tanta; intercity connections by coaxial cable and microwave; extensive upgrading in progress; 600,000 telephones (est.); broadcast stations - 39 AM, 6 FM, 41 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT, 1 ARABSAT; 5 submarine coaxial cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; radio relay to Libya, Israel, and Jordan :Egypt Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Manpower availability: males 15-49, 13,911,006; 9,044,425 fit for military service; 563,321 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 6.4% of GDP (1991) :El Salvador Geography Total area: 21,040 km2 Land area: 20,720 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: 545 km; Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm) Disputes: dispute with Honduras over several sections of the land boundary; dispute over Golfo de Fonseca maritime boundary because of disputed sovereignty of islands Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, crude oil Land use: arable land 27%; permanent crops 8%; meadows and pastures 29%; forest and woodland 6%; other 30%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: The Land of Volcanoes; subject to frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea :El Salvador People Population: 5,574,279 (July 1992), growth rate 2.2% (1992) Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Salvadoran(s); adjective - Salvadoran Ethnic divisions: mestizo 89%, Indian 10%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic about 75%, with extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country (more than 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador at the end of 1990) Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians) Literacy: 73% (male 76%, female 70%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,700,000 (1982 est.); agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%; shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but manpower training programs improving situation (1984 est.) Organized labor: total labor force 15%; agricultural labor force 10%; urban labor force 7% (1987 est.) :El Salvador Government Long-form name: Republic of El Salvador Type: republic Capital: San Salvador Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 20 December 1983 Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Alfredo CRISTIANI Buchard (since 1 June 1989); Vice President Jose Francisco MERINO (since 1 June 1989) Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance (ARENA), Armando CALDERON Sol; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Fidel CHAVEZ Mena; National Conciliation Party (PCN), Ciro CRUZ Zepeda; National Democratic Union (UDN), Mario AGUINADA Carranza; the Democratic Convergence (CD) is a coalition of three parties - the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Wilfredo BARILLAS; the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Victor VALLE; and the Popular Social Christian Movement (MPSC), Ruben ZAMORA; Authentic Christian Movement (MAC), Julio REY PRENDES; Democratic Action (AD), Ricardo GONZALEZ Camacho Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 10 March 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results - ARENA 44.3%, PDC 27.96%, CD 12.16%, PCN 8.99%, MAC 3.23%, UDN 2.68%; seats - (84 total) ARENA 39, PDC 26, PCN 9, CD 8, UDN 1, MAC 1 President: last held 19 March 1989 (next to be held March 1994); results - Alfredo CRISTIANI (ARENA) 53.8%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 36.6%, other 9.6% Other political or pressure groups: Business organizations: National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP), conservative; Productive Alliance (AP), conservative; National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES), conservative :El Salvador Government FMLN front organizations: Labor fronts include - National Union of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist umbrella front group, leads FMLN front network; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers (FENASTRAS), best organized of front groups and controlled by FMLN's National Resistance (RN); Social Security Institute Workers Union (STISSS), one of the most militant fronts, is controlled by FMLN's Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN) and RN; Association of Telecommunications Workers (ASTTEL); Centralized Union Federation of El Salvador (FUSS); Treasury Ministry Employees (AGEMHA); Nonlabor fronts include - Committee of Mothers and Families of Political Prisoners, Disappeared Persons, and Assassinated of El Salvador (COMADRES); Nongovernmental Human Rights Commission (CDHES); Committee of Dismissed and Unemployed of El Salvador (CODYDES); General Association of Salvadoran University Students (AGEUS); National Association of Salvadoran Educators (ANDES-21 DE JUNIO); Salvadoran Revolutionary Student Front (FERS), associated with the Popular Forces of Liberation (FPL); Association of National University Educators (ADUES); Salvadoran University Students Front (FEUS); Christian Committee for the Displaced of El Salvador (CRIPDES), an FPL front; The Association for Communal Development in El Salvador (PADECOES), controlled by the People's Revolutionary Army (ERP); Confederation of Cooperative Associations of El Salvador (COACES) Other political or pressure groups: Labor organizations: Federation of Construction and Transport Workers Unions (FESINCONSTRANS), independent; Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant association; Unitary Federation of Salvadoran Unions (FUSS), leftist; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers (FENASTRAS), leftist; Democratic Workers Central (CTD), moderate; General Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate; National Unity of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist; National Union of Workers and Peasants (UNOC), moderate labor coalition of democratic labor organizations; United Workers Front (FUT) Leftist political parties: National Democratic Union (UDN), National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), and Popular Social Movement (MPSC) Leftist revolutionary movement: Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), leadership body of the insurgency, five factions - Popular Liberation Forces (FPL), Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), People's Revolutionary Army (ERP), Salvadoran Communist Party/Armed Forces of Liberation (PCES/FAL), and Central American Workers' Revolutionary Party (PRTC)/Popular Liberation Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARLP) Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Miguel Angel SALAVERRIA; Chancery at 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-9671 through 3482; there are Salvadoran Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador William G. WALKER; Embassy at 25 Avenida Norte No. 1230, San Salvador (mailing address is APO AA 34023); telephone [503] 26-7100; FAX [503] (26) 5839 :El Salvador Government Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band :El Salvador Economy Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 40% of the labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffee is the major commercial crop, accounting for 45% of export earnings. The manufacturing sector, based largely on food and beverage processing, accounts for 18% of GDP and 15% of employment. Economic losses because of guerrilla sabotage total more than $2 billion since 1979. The costs of maintaining a large military seriously constrain the government's efforts to provide essential social services. Nevertheless, growth in national output during the period 1990-91 exceeded growth in population for the first time since 1987. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.5 billion, per capita $1,010; real growth rate 3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19% (1990) Unemployment rate: 10% (1989) Budget: revenues $751 million; expenditures $790 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $580 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, sugar, cotton, shrimp partners: US 49%, Germany 24%, Guatemala 7%, Costa Rica 4%, Japan 4% Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products, consumer goods, foodstuffs, machinery, construction materials, fertilizer partners: US 40%, Guatemala 12%, Venezuela 7%, Mexico 7%, Germany 5%, Japan 4% External debt: $2.0 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.4% (1990); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 682,000 kW capacity; 1,927 million kWh produced, 356 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, textiles, clothing, beverages, petroleum, tobacco products, chemicals, furniture Agriculture: accounts for 25% of GDP and 40% of labor force (including fishing and forestry); coffee most important commercial crop; other products - sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef, dairy products, shrimp; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $2.95 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $525 million Currency: Salvadoran colon (plural - colones); 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.1 (January 1992), floating rate since mid-1990); 5.0000 (fixed rate 1986 to mid-1990) Fiscal year: calendar year :El Salvador Communications Railroads: 602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track Highways: 10,000 km total; 1,500 km paved, 4,100 km gravel, 4,400 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports: Acajutla, Cutuco Civil air: 7 major transport aircraft Airports: 107 total, 77 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: nationwide trunk radio relay system; connection into Central American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :El Salvador Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police, Treasury Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,265,149; 809,419 fit for military service; 68,445 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $220 million, 3.6% of GDP (1991) :Equatorial Guinea Geography Total area: 28,050 km2 Land area: 28,050 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 539 km; Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Natural resources: timber, crude oil, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 51%; other 33% Environment: subject to violent windstorms Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated :Equatorial Guinea People Population: 388,799 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 107 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 53 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s); adjective - Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic divisions: indigenous population of Bioko, primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos; Rio Muni, primarily Fang; less than 1,000 Europeans, mostly Spanish Religions: natives all nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic; some pagan practices retained Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Literacy: 50% (male 64%, female 37%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980); labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: no formal trade unions :Equatorial Guinea Government Long-form name: Republic of Equatorial Guinea Type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy Capital: Malabo Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain; formerly Spanish Guinea) Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives of the People (Camara de Representantes del Pueblo) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Leaders: Chief of State: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) Head of Government: Prime Minister Cristino SERICHE BIOKO MALABO (since 15 August 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Isidoro Eyi MONSUY ANDEME (since 15 August 1989) Political parties and leaders: only party - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader; multipartyism legalized in new constitution of November 1991, promulgated January 1992 Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Chamber of People's Representatives: last held 10 July 1988 (next to be held 10 July 1993); results - PDGE is the only party; seats - (41 total) PDGE 41 President: last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results - President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without opposition Member of: ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Damaso OBIANG NDONG; Chancery (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553; telephone (914) 667-9664 US: Ambassador John E. BENNETT; Embassy at Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo (mailing address is P.O. Box 597, Malabo); telephone [240] (9) 2185, 2406, 2507; FAX [240] (9) 2164 :Equatorial Guinea Government Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) :Equatorial Guinea Economy Overview: The economy, destroyed during the regime of former President Macias NGUEMA, is now based on agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which account for about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence agriculture predominates, with cocoa, coffee, and wood products providing income, foreign exchange, and government revenues. There is little industry. Commerce accounts for about 8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and service sectors for about 38%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French, and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $156 million, per capita $400; real growth rate 1.6% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $27 million; expenditures $29 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1990 est.) Exports: $37 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee, timber, cocoa beans partners: Spain 38.2%, Italy 12.2%, Netherlands 11.4%, FRG 6.9%, Nigeria 12.4 (1988) Imports: $68.3 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery partners: France 25.9%, Spain 21.0%, Italy 16%, US 12.8%, Netherlands 8%, Germany 3.1%, Gabon 2.9%, Nigeria 1.8 (1988) External debt: $213 million (1990) Industrial production: growth rate - 6.8% (1990 est.) Electricity: 23,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fishing, sawmilling Agriculture: cash crops - timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops - rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89) $130 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) :Equatorial Guinea Economy Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Equatorial Guinea Communications Highways: Rio Muni - 2,460 km; Bioko - 300 km Ports: Malabo, Bata Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,413 GRT/6,699 DWT; includes 1 cargo and 1 passenger-cargo Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor system with adequate government services; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Equatorial Guinea Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 81,850; 41,528 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP :Estonia Geography Total area: 45,100 km2 Land area: 43,200 km2; (includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea) Comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Land boundaries: 557 km; Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 1,393 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm Disputes: international small border strips along the northern (Narva) and southern (Petseri) sections of eastern border with Russia ceded to Russia in 1945 by the Estonian SSR Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters Terrain: marshy, lowlands Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber Land use: 22% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 11% meadows and pastures; 31% forest and woodland; 21% other; includes NA% irrigated; 15% swamps and lakes Environment: coastal waters largely polluted :Estonia People Population: 1,607,349 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 25 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Estonian(s); adjective - Estonian Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Byelorussian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.13% (1989) Religions: Lutheran is primary denomination Languages: Estonian NA% (official), Latvian NA%, Lithuanian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 796,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 13%, other 45% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Estonia Government Long-form name: Republic of Estonia Type: republic Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: none - all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction Independence: 8 November 1917; occupied by Germany in March 1918 and restored to power in November 1918; annexed by USSR 6 August 1940; declared independence 20 August 1991 and regained independence from USSR 6 September 1991 Constitution: currently rewriting constitution, but readopted the constitution of 1938 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918) Executive branch: prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman, Supreme Council Arnold R'UTEL (since April 1983) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (since January 1992) Political parties and leaders: Popular Front of Estonia (Rahvarinne), NA chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Party, Aivar KALA, chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Union, Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Estonian Heritage Society (EMS), Trivimi VELLISTE, chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ERSP), Lagle PAREK, chairman; Estonian Social Democratic Party, Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Green Party, Tonu OJA; Independent Estonian Communist Party, Vaino VALJAS; People's Centrist Party, Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Congress of Estonia: last held March 1990 (next to be held NA); note - Congress of Estonia is a quasi-governmental structure; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (495 total) number of seats by party NA President: last held NA 1990; (next to be held NA); results - NA Supreme Council: last held 18 March 1990; (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (105 total) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ernst JAAKSON, Legation of Estonia, Office of Consulate General, 9 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1421, New York, NY 10020; telephone (212) 247-1450 :Estonia Government US: Ambassador Robert C. FRASURE; Embassy at Kentmanni 20, Tallin EE 0001; telephone 011-[358] (49) 303-182 (cellular); FAX [358] (49) 306-817 (cellular); note - dialing to Baltics still requires use of an international operator unless you use the cellular phone lines Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990; flag is three equal horizontal bands of blue, black, and white :Estonia Economy Overview: Starting in July 1991, under a new law on private ownership, small enterprises, such as retail shops and restaurants, were sold to private owners. The auctioning of large-scale enterprises is now in progress with the proceeds being held in escrow until the prior ownership (that is, Estonian or the Commonwealth of Independent States) can be established. Estonia ranks first in per capita consumption among the former Soviet republics. Agriculture is well developed, especially meat production, and provides a surplus for export. Only about one-fifth of the work force is in agriculture. The major share of the work force engages in manufacturing both capital and consumer goods based on raw materials and intermediate products from the other former Soviet republics. These manufactures are of high quality by ex-Soviet standards and are exported to the other republics. Estonia's mineral resources are limited to major deposits of shale oil (60% of old Soviet total) and phosphorites (400 million tons). Estonia has a large, relatively modern port and produces more than half of its own energy needs at highly polluting shale oil power plants. Like the other 14 successor republics, Estonia is suffering through a difficult transitional period - between a collapsed command economic structure and a still-to-be-built market structure. It has advantages in the transition, not having suffered so long under the Soviet yoke and having better chances of developing profitable ties to the Nordic and West European countries. GDP: $NA billion, per capita $NA; real growth rate -11% (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): approximately 200% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $NA million Exports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery 30%, food 17%, chemicals 11%, electric power 9% partners: Russia 50%, other former Soviet republics 30%, Ukraine 15%, West 5% Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery 45%, oil 13%, chemicals 12% partners: NA External debt: $650 million (end of 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -9% (1991) Electricity: 3,305,000 kW capacity; 17,200 million kWh produced, 10,865 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: accounts for 30% of labor force; oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Agriculture: employs 20% of work force; very efficient; net exports of meat, fish, dairy products, and potatoes; imports feedgrains for livestock; fruits and vegetables :Estonia Economy Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: kroon; to be introduced in 1992 Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Estonia Communications Railroads: 1,030 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 30,300 km total (1990); 29,200 km hard surfaced; 1,100 km earth Inland waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA km Ports: maritime - Tallinn, Parnu; inland - Narva Merchant marine: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 386,634 GRT/516,866 DWT; includes 51 cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 2 short-sea passenger, 6 bulk Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: telephone diversity - NA; broadcast stations - 3 TV (provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs); international traffic is carried to the other former USSR republics by landline or microwave and to other countries by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch, by the Finnish cellular net, and by an old copper submarine cable to Finland :Estonia Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, Air Defense, and Border Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, total mobilized force projected 120,000-130,000; NA fit for military service; between 10,000-12,000 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Ethiopia Geography Total area: 1,221,900 km2 Land area: 1,101,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 5,141 km; Djibouti 459 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 2,221 km Coastline: 1,094 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden; independence referendum in Eritrea scheduled for April 1992 Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation; some areas prone to extended droughts Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash Land use: arable land 12%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 41%; forest and woodland 24%; other 22%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; frequent droughts; famine Note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields :Ethiopia People Population: 54,270,464 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 112 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 53 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ethiopian(s); adjective - Ethiopian Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 40-45%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35-40%, animist 15-20%, other 5% Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: 62% (male NA%, female NA%) age 10 and over can read and write (1983 est.) Labor force: 18,000,000; agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985) Organized labor: All Ethiopian Trade Union formed by the government in January 1977 to represent 273,000 registered trade union members; was dissolved when the TGE came to power; labor code of 1975 is being redrafted :Ethiopia Government Long-form name: none Type: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), announced as a two-year transitional period; on 29 May 1991, Issayas AFEWORKE, secretary general of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for an eventual referendum on independence for the province Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 14 administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1 autonomous region* (rasgez akababi); Addis Ababa (Addis Ababa), Afar, Agew, Amhara, Benishangul, Ertra (Eritrea)*, Gambela, Gurage-Hadiya-Wolayta, Harer, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali, Tigray Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years Constitution: to be redrafted by 1993 Legal system: NA National holiday: National Revolution Day 12 September (1974) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: Council of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Interim President Meles ZENAWI (since 1 June 1991); transitional government Head of Government: Acting Prime Minister Tamirat LAYNE (since 6 June 1991) Political parties and leaders: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Council of Representatives: last held 14 June 1987 (next to be held after new constitution drafted) President: last held 10 September 1987; next election planned after new constitution drafted; results - MENGISTU Haile-Mariam elected by the now defunct National Assembly, but resigned and left Ethiopia on 21 May 1991 Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP); numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's resignation Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Girma AMARE; Chancery at 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-2281 or 2282 :Ethiopia Government US: Charge d'Affaires Marc A. BAAS; Embassy at Entoto Street, Addis Ababa (mailing address is P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa); telephone [251] (01) 550666; FAX [251] (1) 551-166 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors :Ethiopia Economy Overview: Ethiopia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state run; the government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants. Favorable agricultural weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output in FY89, whereas drought and deteriorating internal security conditions prevented growth in FY90. In 1991 the lack of law and order, particularly in the south, interfered with economic development and growth. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $6.6 billion, per capita $130, real growth rate- 0.4% (FY90 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $1.8 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $842 million (FY88) Exports: $429 million (f.o.b., FY88) commodities: coffee 60%, hides partners: US, FRG, Djibouti, Japan, PDRY, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., FY88) commodities: food, fuels, capital goods partners: USSR, Italy, FRG, Japan, UK, US, France External debt: $2.6 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: 330,000 kW capacity; 650 million kWh produced, 10 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Agriculture: accounts for 45% of GDP and is the most important sector of the economy even though frequent droughts and poor cultivation practices keep farm output low; famines not uncommon; export crops of coffee and oilseeds grown partly on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production at subsistence level; principal crops and livestock - cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep, goats Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $504 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $8 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.0 billion Currency: birr (plural - birr); 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 2.0700 (fixed rate) :Ethiopia Economy Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July :Ethiopia Communications Railroads: 988 km total; 681 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge (nonoperational) Highways: 44,300 km total; 3,650 km paved, 9,650 km gravel, 3,000 km improved earth, 28,000 km unimproved earth Ports: Aseb, Mitsiwa Merchant marine: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,909 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll off, 1 livestock carrier, 2 petroleum tanker Civil air: 25 major transport aircraft Airports: 123 total, 86 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 38 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets; 9,000,000 radios; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Ethiopia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 12,015,589; 6,230,680 fit for military service; 572,982 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $760 million, 12.8% of GDP (1989) :Europa Island Geography Total area: 28 km2 Land area: 28 km2 Comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%; heavily wooded Environment: wildlife sanctuary Note: located in the Mozambique Channel 340 km west of Madagascar :Europa Island People Population: uninhabited :Europa Island Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (as of July 1991); resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion :Europa Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Europa Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: 1 meteorological station :Europa Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography Total area: 12,170 km2 Land area: 12,170 km2; includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 100 meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Natural resources: fish and wildlife Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 99%; forest and woodland 0%; other 1% Environment: poor soil fertility and a short growing season Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) People Population: 1,900 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Falkland Islander(s); adjective - Falkland Island Ethnic divisions: almost totally British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Free Church; Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 15 (1988) Labor force: 1,100 (est.); agriculture, mostly sheepherding about 95% Organized labor: Falkland Islands General Employees Union, 400 members :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government Long-form name: Colony of the Falkland Islands Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Governor William Hugh FULLERTON (since NA 1988) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council: last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) number of seats by party NA Member of: ICFTU Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Economy Overview: The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are primarily those for providing winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1980-87 average) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, excluding capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: at least $14.7 million commodities: wool, hides and skins, and other partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.) Imports: at least $13.9 million commodities: food, clothing, fuels, and machinery partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,638 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: wool and fish processing Agriculture: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable crops Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million Currency: Falkland pound (plural - pounds); 1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.5519 (January 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Communications Highways: 510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth Ports: Port Stanley Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Defense Forces Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines); Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Faroe Islands Geography Total area: 1,400 km2 Land area: 1,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 764 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: none Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 98% Environment: precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands; archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets Note: strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic about midway between Iceland and Shetland Islands :Faroe Islands People Population: 48,588 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Faroese (singular and plural); adjective - Faroese Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Scandinavian population Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 17,585; largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce Organized labor: NA :Faroe Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Independence: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Constitution: Danish Legal system: Danish National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Executive branch: Danish monarch, high commissioner, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyri) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Lgting) Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA) Head of Government: Prime Minister Atli P. DAM (since 15 January 1991) Political parties and leaders: opposition: Cooperation Coalition Party, Pauli ELLEFSEN; Republican Party, Signer HANSEN; Progressive and Fishing Industry Party-Christian People's Party (PFIP-CPP), leader NA; Progress Party, leader NA; Home Rule Party, Hilmar KASS two-party ruling coalition: Social Democratic Party, Atli P. DAM; People's Party, Jogvan SUND- STEIN Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: Danish Parliament: last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Social Democratic 1, People's Party 1; note - the Faroe Islands elects two representatives to the Danish Parliament Faroese Parliament: last held 17 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Social Democratic 27.4%, People's Party 21.9%, Cooperation Coalition Party 18.9%, Republican Party 14.7%, Home Rule 8.8%, PFIP-CPP 5.9%, other 2.4%; seats - (32 total) two-party coalition 17 (Social Democratic 10, People's Party 7), Cooperation Coalition Party 6, Republican Party 4, Home Rule 3, PFIP-CPP 2 Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) :Faroe Islands Economy Overview: The Faroese, who have long been enjoying the affluent living standards of the Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of the all-important fishing industry and with an external debt twice the size of annual income. When the nations of the world extended their fishing zones to 200 nautical miles in the early 1970s, the Faroese no longer could continue their traditional long-distance fishing and subsequently depleted their own nearby fishing areas. The government's tight controls on fish stocks and its austerity measures have caused a recession, and subsidy cuts will force further reductions in the fishing industry, which has already been plagued with bankrupcies. An annual Danish subsidy of $140 million continues to provide roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $662 million, per capita $14,000; real growth rate 3% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1988) Unemployment rate: 5-6% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $425 million; expenditures $480 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1991 est.) Exports: $386 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (1989) partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US 4.5% Imports: $322 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5% partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3% External debt: $1.3 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 80,000 kW capacity; 280 million kWh produced, 5,910 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal crops - potatoes and vegetables; livestock - sheep; annual fish catch about 360,000 metric tons Economic aid: none Currency: Danish krone (plural - kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.116 (January 1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Faroe Islands Communications Highways: 200 km Ports: Torshavn, Tvoroyri Merchant marine: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,015 GRT/24,007 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 5 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 refrigerated cargo; note - a subset of the Danish register Airports: 1 with permanent surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international communications; fair domestic facilities; 27,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM, 3 (29 repeaters) TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables :Faroe Islands Defense Forces Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force is maintained Note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark :Fiji Geography Total area: 18,270 km2 Land area: 18,270 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper; offshore oil potential Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and woodland 65%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to hurricanes from November to January; includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited Note: located 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean :Fiji People Population: 749,946 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -10 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Fijian(s); adjective - Fijian Ethnic divisions: Indian 49%, Fijian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%; note - Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) Languages: English (official); Fijian; Hindustani Literacy: 86% (male 90%, female 81%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.) Labor force: 235,000; subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987) Organized labor: about 45,000 employees belong to some 46 trade unions, which are organized along lines of work and ethnic origin (1983) :Fiji Government Long-form name: Republic of Fiji Type: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 Capital: Suva Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK) Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990 Legal system: based on British system National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Great Councils of Chiefs (highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system) Legislative branch: the bicameral Parliament, consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives, was dissolved following the coup of 14 May 1987; the Constitution of 23 September 1988 provides for a bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu GANILAU (since 5 December 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 5 December 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Josefata KAMIKAMICA (since October 1991); note - Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA served as prime minister from 10 October 1970 until the 5-11 April 1987 election; after a second coup led by Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA on 25 September 1987, Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA was reappointed as prime minister Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Siddiq KOYA; Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Jokapeci KOROI; All National Congress (ANC), Apisai TORA; General Voters Party (GVP), Max OLSSON; Fiji Conservative Party (FCP), Isireli VUIBAU; Conservative Party of Fiji (CPF), Jolale ULUDOLE and Viliame SAVU; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, Swami MAHARAJ; Fiji Indian Congress Party, Ishwari BAJPAI; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners Party, David TULVANUAVOU Suffrage: none Elections: House of Representatives: last held 14 May 1987 (next to be held 23-29 May 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and other 6 seats) number of seats by party NA Member of: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO