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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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)
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
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
Overview:
no economic activity
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
1 with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m
Telecommunications:
1 meteorological station
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
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
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
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)
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
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
Branches:
no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force is maintained Note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
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
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)
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
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA; Chancery at Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 337-8320; there is a Fijian Consulate in New York
US:
Ambassador Evelyn I. H. TEEGEN; Embassy at 31 Loftus Street, Suva (mailing address is P. O. Box 218, Suva); telephone [679] 314-466; FAX [679] 300-081 Flag:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
Overview:
Fiji’s economy is primarily agricultural, with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports are a major source of foreign exchange, and sugar processing accounts for one-third of industrial output. Industry, including sugar milling, contributes 13% to GDP. Fiji traditionally had earned considerable sums of hard currency from the 250,000 tourists who visited each year. In 1987, however, after two military coups, the economy went into decline. GDP dropped by 7.8% in 1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertainty created a drop in tourism, and the worst drought of the century caused sugar production to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar and tourism turned in strong performances in 1989, and the economy rebounded vigorously. In 1990 the economy received a setback from cyclone Sina, which cut sugar output by an estimated 21%.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $1.3 billion, per capita $1,700; real growth rate 3.5% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.0% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
5.9% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $413 million; expenditures $464 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$646 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
sugar 40%, gold, clothing, copra, processed fish, lumber partners:
EC 31%, Australia 21%, Japan 8%, US 6% Imports:
$840 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 32%, food 15%, petroleum products, consumer goods, chemicals
partners:
Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6% External debt:
$428 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production:
growth rate 8.4% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity:
215,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 430 kWh per capita (1990) Industries:
sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, fishing, clothing, lumber, small cottage industries
Agriculture:
accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas; small livestock sector includes cattle, pigs, horses, and goats
Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $815 million
Currency:
Fijian dollar (plural – dollars); 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 – 1.4855 (January 1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809 (1990), 1.4833 (1989), 1.4303 (1988), 1.2439 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Railroads:
644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation
Highways:
3,300 km total (1984) – 1,590 km paved; 1,290 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized soil surface; 420 unimproved earth Inland waterways:
203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports:
Lambasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva
Merchant marine:
7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,072 GRT/47,187 DWT; includes 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 container, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 cargo
Civil air:
1 DC-3 and 1 light aircraft
Airports:
25 total, 22 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio center; important COMPAC cable link between US-Canada and New Zealand-Australia; 53,228 telephones; broadcast stations – 7 AM, 1 FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Branches:
Fiji Military Force (FMF; including a naval division, Police) Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 192,056; 105,898 fit for military service; 7,564 reach military age (18) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $22.4 million, 1.7% of GDP (FY 91)
Total area:
337,030 km2
Land area:
305,470 km2
Comparative area:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
2,628 km; Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline:
1,126 km; excludes islands and coastal indentations Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone:
6 nm
Continental shelf:
200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone:
12 nm
Territorial sea:
4 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Natural resources:
timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver Land use:
arable land 8%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 76%; other 16%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment:
permanently wet ground covers about 30% of land; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
Note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent
Population:
5,004,273 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate:
12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate:
NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
72 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
1.7 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Finn(s); adjective – Finnish Ethnic divisions:
Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% Languages:
Finnish 93.5%, Swedish (both official) 6.3%; small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities
Literacy:
100% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force:
2,533,000; public services 30.4%; industry 20.9%; commerce 15.0%; finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%; agriculture and forestry 8.6%; transport and communications 7.7%; construction 7.2% Organized labor:
80% of labor force
Long-form name:
Republic of Finland
Type:
republic
Capital:
Helsinki
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (laanit, singular – laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa
Independence:
6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union) Constitution:
17 July 1919
Legal system:
civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Executive branch:
president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of State (Valtioneuvosto)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta) Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Mauno KOIVISTO (since 27 January 1982) Head of Government:
Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Ilkka KANERVA (since 26 April 1991)
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
Parliament:
last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results – Center Party 24.8%, Social Democratic Party 22.1%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 19.3%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.1%, Green League 6.8%, Swedish People’s Party 5.5%, Rural 4.8%, Finnish Christian League 3.1%, Liberal People’s Party 0.8%; seats – (200 total) Center Party 55, Social Democratic Party 48, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 40, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 19, Swedish People’s Party 12, Green League 10, Finnish Christian League 8, Rural 7, Liberal People’s Party 1 President:
last held 31 January – 1 February and 15 February 1988 (next to be held January 1994); results – Mauno KOIVISTO 48%, Paavo VAYRYNEN 20%, Harri HOLKERI 18%
Communists:
28,000 registered members; an additional 45,000 persons belong to People’s Democratic League
Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI; Chancery at 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016; telephone (202) 363-2430; there are Finnish Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York, and Consulates in Chicago and Houston US:
Ambassador John H. KELLY (as of December 1991); Embassy at Itainen Puistotie 14A, SF-00140, Helsinki (mailing address is APO AE 09723); telephone [358] (0) 171931; FAX [358] (0) 174681
Flag:
white with a blue cross 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)
Overview:
Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with per capita output nearly three-fourths the US figure. Its main economic force is the manufacturing sector – principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imported raw materials, energy, and some components of manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic commodities. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into a deep recession in 1991 as growth contracted by 6.2%. The recession – which is expected to bottom out in late 1992 – has been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union in which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finnish Government has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness and efficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in public expenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and foreign investment and exchange liberalization. Helsinki tied the markkaa to the EC’s European Currency Unit to promote stability but was forced to devalue the markkaa by about 12% in November 1991. The devaluation should improve industrial competitiveness and business confidence in 1992. Finland, as a member of EFTA, negotiated a European Economic Area arrangement with the EC that allows for free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor within the organization as of January 1993. Finland applied for full EC membership in March 1992.
GDP:
purchasing power equivalent – $80.6 billion, per capita $16,200; real growth rate – 6.2% (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.9% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $35.8 billion; expenditures $41.5 billion, including capital expenditures of NA billion (1991)
Exports:
$22.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
timber, paper and pulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwear partners:
EC 50.25%, Germany 15.5%, UK 10.4%, EFTA 20.7%, Sweden 14%, US 6.1%, Japan 1.5%, USSR/EE 6.71% (1991)
Imports:
$21.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains
partners:
EC 45.9% (Germany 16.9%), UK 7.7%, EFTA 19.9%, Sweden 12.3%, US 6.9%, Japan 6%, USSR/EE 10.7%
External debt:
$5.3 billion (1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate – 8.6% (1991 est.)
Electricity:
13,324,000 kW capacity; 49,330 million kWh produced, 9,857 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper), copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Agriculture:
accounts for 8% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production, especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is an important export earner and a secondary occupation for the rural population; main crops – cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrains and fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons Economic aid:
donor – ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.7 billion Currency:
markka (plural – markkaa); 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates:
markkaa (FMk) per US$1 – 4.2967 (January 1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235 (1990), 4.2912 (1989), 4.1828 (1988), 4.3956 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Railroads:
5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863 km 1.524-meter gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,445 km are electrified
Highways:
about 103,000 km total, including 35,000 km paved (bituminous, concrete, bituminous-treated surface) and 38,000 km unpaved (stabilized gravel, gravel, earth); additional 30,000 km of private (state-subsidized) roads Inland waterways:
6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamers Pipelines:
natural gas 580 km
Ports:
Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku; 6 secondary, numerous minor ports Merchant marine:
80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 794,094 GRT/732,585 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 9 short-sea passenger, 16 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 26 roll-on/roll-off, 12 petroleum tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 7 bulk
Civil air:
42 major transport
Airports:
159 total, 156 usable; 58 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
good service from cable and radio relay network; 3,140,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 6 AM, 105 FM, 235 TV; 1 submarine cable; INTELSAT satellite transmission service via Swedish earth station and a receive-only INTELSAT earth station near Helsinki
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Coast Guard) Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 1,314,305; 1,087,286 fit for military service; 33,053 reach military age (17) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $1.8 billion, 1.6% of GDP (1989 est.)
Total area:
547,030 km2
Land area:
545,630 km2; includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions Comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Colorado Land boundaries:
2,892.4 km; Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km Coastline:
3,427 km; mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone:
12-24 nm
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychelles claims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part of French Guiana; Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land)
Climate:
generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean
Terrain:
mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash Land use:
arable land 32%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest and woodland 27%; other 16%; includes irrigated 2% Environment:
most of large urban areas and industrial centers in Rhone, Garonne, Seine, or Loire River basins; occasional warm tropical wind known as mistral Note:
largest West European nation
Population:
57,287,258 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992) Birth rate:
13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
74 years male, 82 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
1.8 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women); adjective – French Ethnic divisions:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, and Basque minorities
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6%
Languages:
French (100% of population); rapidly declining regional dialects (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) Literacy:
99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force:
24,170,000; services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.3% (1987) Organized labor:
20% of labor force (est.)
Long-form name:
French Republic
Type:
republic
Capital:
Paris
Administrative divisions:
metropolitan France – 22 regions (regions, singular – region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Rhone-Alpes; note – the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Independence:
unified by Clovis in 486, First Republic proclaimed in 1792 Constitution:
28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962 Dependent areas:
Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note:
the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts
National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle) Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government:
Prime Minister Pierre BEREGOVOY (since 2 April 1992) Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR, formerly UDR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for French Democracy (UDF, federation of PR, CDS, and RAD), Valery Giscard d’ESTAING; Republican Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social Democrats (CDS), Pierre MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND; Socialist Party (PS), Laurent FABIUS; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Emile ZUCCARELLI; Communist Party (PCF), Georges MARCHAIS; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
National Assembly:
last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results – Second Ballot PS-MRG 48. 7%, RPR 23.1%, UDF 21%, PCF 3.4%, other 3.8%; seats – (577 total) PS 272, RPR 127, UDF 91, UDC 40, PCF 26, independents 21
President:
last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held May 1995); results – Second Ballot Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46% Elections:
Senate:
last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (321 total; 296 metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 143 (PR 52, CDS 68, RAD 23), PS 66, PCF 16, independents 2, unknown 3
Communists:
700,000 claimed but probably closer to 150,000; Communist voters, 2.8 million in 1988 election
Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about 800,000 members est.; independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais – CNPF or Patronat)
Member of:
ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT, G-5, G-7, G-10, IABD, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI; Chancery at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 944-6000; there are French Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US:
Ambassador Walter J. P. CURLEY; Embassy at 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08, Unit 21551 (mailing address is APO AE 09777); telephone [33] (1) 42-96-12-02 or 42-61-80-75; FAX [33] (1) 42-66-97-83; there are US Consulates General in Bordeaux, Marseille, and Strasbourg Flag:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Ivory Coast, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependent areas
Overview:
One of the world’s most developed economies, France has substantial agricultural resources and a highly diversified modern industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. France is largely self-sufficient in agricultural products and is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy. After expanding at a rapid 3.8% pace during the period 1988-89, the economy slowed down in 1990, with growth of 1.5% in 1990 and 1.4% in 1991; growth in 1992 is expected to be about 2%. The economy has had difficulty generating enough jobs for new entrants into the labor force, resulting in a high unemployment rate, which rose to almost 10% in 1991. The steadily advancing economic integration within the European Community is a major force affecting the fortunes of the various economic sectors.
GDP:
purchasing power equivalent – $1,033.7 billion, per capita $18,300; real growth rate 1.4% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.8% (end 1991)
Budget:
revenues $229.8 billion; expenditures $246.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $36 billion (1992 budget) Exports:
$209.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing partners:
FRG 17.3%, Italy 11.4%, UK 9.2%, Spain 10.3%, Netherlands 9.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.4%, US 6.1%, Japan 1.9%, former USSR 0.7% (1989 est.) Imports:
$232.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products
partners:
FRG 18.9%, Italy 11.6%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.8%, Netherlands 8.6%, US 8.0%, Spain 7.9%, UK 7.2%, Japan 4.0%, former USSR 1.4% (1989 est.) External debt:
$59.3 billion (December 1987)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.2% (1990); accounts for 26% of GDP Electricity:
109,972,000 kW capacity; 399,318 million kWh produced, 7,200 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, and tourism Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the world’s top five wheat producers; other principal products – beef, dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortages include fats and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world’s top 20 countries and is all used domestically
Economic aid:
donor – ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion Currency:
French franc (plural – francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 – 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Railroads:
French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,568 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 11,674 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 2,138 km of various gauges (1.000-meter to 1.440-meter), privately owned and operated Highways:
1,551,400 km total; 33,400 km national highway; 347,000 km departmental highway; 421,000 km community roads; 750,000 km rural roads; 5,401 km of controlled-access divided autoroutes; about 803,000 km paved Inland waterways:
14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled Pipelines:
crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km Ports:
maritime – Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Rouen, Sete, Toulon; inland – 42 Merchant marine:
128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,222,539 GRT/5,117,091 DWT; includes 6 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 18 container, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 30 roll-on/roll-off, 34 petroleum tanker, 8 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 11 bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo; note – France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French Polynesia Civil air:
195 major transport aircraft (1989 est.) Airports:
472 total, 460 usable; 251 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 36 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 136 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
highly developed; extensive cable and radio relay networks; large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems for domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 41 AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine coaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas – 2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries; INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service
Branches:
Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 14,599,636; 12,225,969 fit for military service; 411,211 reach military age (18) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $33.1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991)
Total area:
91,000 km2
Land area:
89,150 km2
Comparative area:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
1,183 km; Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline:
378 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain:
low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Natural resources:
bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use:
arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 82%; other 18%
Environment:
mostly an unsettled wilderness
Population:
127,505 (July 1992), growth rate 4.6% (1992) Birth rate:
27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
24 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
71 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
3.6 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – French Guianese (singular and plural); adjective – French Guianese; note – they are a colony/department; they hold French passports Ethnic divisions:
black or mulatto 66%; Caucasian 12%; East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%; other 10%
Religions:
predominantly Roman Catholic
Languages:
French
Literacy:
82% (male 81%, female 83%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force:
23,265; services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980)
Organized labor:
7% of labor force
Long-form name:
Department of Guiana
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Cayenne
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France) Independence:
none (overseas department of France) Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system:
French legal system
National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch:
French president, commissioner of the republic Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council Judicial branch:
highest local court is the Court of Appeals based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government:
Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Francois DICHIARA (since NA 1990) Political parties and leaders:
Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Gerard HOLDER; Rally for the Republic (RPR), Paulin BRUNE; Guianese Democratic Action (ADG), Andre LECANTE; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Claude Ho A CHUCK; National Front (FN), Guy MALON; Popular and National Party of Guiana (PNPG), Claude ROBO; National Anti-Colonist Guianese Party (PANGA), Michel KAPEL Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
French National Assembly:
last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (2 total) PSG 1, RPR 1 French Senate:
last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (1 total) PSG 1 Regional Council:
last held 16 March 1986 (next to be held NA 1991); results – PSG 43%, RPR 27.7%, ADG 12.2%, UDF 8. 9%, FN 3.7%, PNPG 1.4%, other 3.1%; seats – (31 total) PSG 15, RPR 9, ADG 4, UDF 3
Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation:
as an overseas department of France, the interests of French Guiana are represented in the US by France
Flag:
the flag of France is used
Overview:
The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1987. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops – rice, cassava, bananas, and sugarcane – are limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $186 million, per capita $2,240; real growth rate NA% (1985)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (1987)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1987)
Budget:
revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1987)
Exports:
$54.0 million (f.o.b., 1987)
commodities:
shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners:
France 31%, US 22%, Japan 10% (1987) Imports:
$394.0 million (c.i.f., 1987)
commodities:
food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum
partners:
France 62%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, US 4%, FRG 3% (1987) External debt:
$1.2 billion (1988)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
92,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 1,821 kWh per capita (1991) Industries:
construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining Agriculture:
some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, bananas, sugar; livestock – cattle, pigs, poultry Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.51 billion
Currency:
French franc (plural – francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 – 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Highways:
680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways:
460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft Ports:
Cayenne
Civil air:
no major transport aircraft
Airports:
10 total, 10 usable; 4 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:
fair open-wire and radio relay system; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations – 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males 15-49 37,467; 24,534 fit for military service Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Total area:
3,941 km2
Land area:
3,660 km2
Comparative area:
slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries:
none
Coastline: