(PAIN), Louis DEJOIE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene THEODORE; Haitian Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Joseph DOUZE; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National Party of Labor (PNT), Thomas DESULME; Mobilization for National Development (MDN), Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti (MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party (PSCH), Gregoire EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE
Other political or pressure groups: Democratic Unity Confederation (KID); Roman Catholic Church; Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers Trade Unions (FOS); Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National Popular Assembly (APN) Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Chamber of Deputies:
last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to be held by December 1994); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (83 total) FNCD 27, ANDP 17, PDCH 7, PAIN 6, RDNP 6, MDN 5, PNT 3, MKN 2, MODELH 2, MRN 1, independents 5, other 2
President:
last held 16 December 1990 (next election to be held by December 1995); results – Rev. Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 67.5%, Marc BAZIN 14.2%, Louis DEJOIE 4.9%
*Haiti, Government
Senate:
last held 18 January 1993, widely condemned as illegitimate (next to be held December 1994); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (27 total) FNCD 12, ANDP 8, PAIN 2, MRN 1, RDNP 1, PNT 1, independent 2 Executive branch:
president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation) Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 1991), ousted in a coup in September 1991, but still recognized by international community as Chief of State
Head of Government: de facto Prime Minister Marc BAZIN (since NA June 1992) Member of:
ACCT, ACP, CARICOM (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jean CASIMIR
chancery:
2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 332-4090 through 4092
consulates general:
Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Special Charge d’Affaires Charles REDMAN embassy:
Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address:
P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince
telephone:
[509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, or 22-0612 FAX:
[509] 23-9007
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L’UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
*Haiti, Economy
Overview:
About 75% of the population live in abject poverty. Agriculture is mainly small-scale subsistence farming and employs nearly three-fourths of the work force. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food. Few social assistance programs exist, and the lack of employment opportunities remains one of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soil erosion and political instability. Trade sanctions applied by the Organization of American States in response to the September 1991 coup against President ARISTIDE have further damaged the economy. National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $2.2 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate:
-4% (FY91 est.)
National product per capita:
$340 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20% (FY91 est.)
Unemployment rate:
25-50% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $300 million; expenditures $416 million, including capital expenditures of $145 million (1990 est.) Exports:
$146 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture 8%, other 8% partners:
US 84%, Italy 4%, France 3%, other industrial countries 6%, less developed countries 3% (1987)
Imports:
$252 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%, petroleum products 14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%
partners:
US 64%, Netherlands Antilles 5%, Japan 5%, France 4%, Canada 3%, Germany 3% (1987)
External debt:
$838 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate -2.0% (1991 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity:
217,000 kW capacity; 480 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1992) Industries:
sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing, tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts Agriculture:
accounts for 28% of GDP and employs around 70% of work force; mostly small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops – coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, wood; staple crops – rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat flour Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $700 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $770 million Currency:
1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes
*Haiti, Economy
Exchange rates:
gourdes (G) per US$1 – 8.4 (December 1991), fixed rate of 5.000 through second quarter of 1991)
Fiscal year:
1 October – 30 September
*Haiti, Communications
Railroads:
40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privately owned industrial line
Highways:
4,000 km total; 950 km paved, 900 km otherwise improved, 2,150 km unimproved Inland waterways:
negligible; less than 100 km navigable Ports:
Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien
Airports:
total:
13
usable:
10
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities barely adequate, international facilities slightly better; 36,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Haiti, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army (including Police), Navy, Air Force Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,289,310; fit for military service 695,997; reach military age (18) annually 60,588 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.)
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Header
Affiliation:
(territory of Australia)
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Geography
Location:
in the Indian Ocean, 4,100 km southwest of Australia Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total area:
412 km2
land area:
412 km2 comparative area:
slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
101.9 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
antarctic
Terrain:
Heard Island – bleak and mountainous, with an extinct volcano; McDonald Islands – small and rocky
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
primarily used for research stations
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, People
Population:
uninhabited
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form:
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Digraph:
HM
Type:
territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
Capital:
none; administered from Canberra, Australia Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Communications
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
*Holy See (Vatican City), Geography
Location:
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome – central Italy Map references:
Europe
Area:
total area:
0.44 km2
land area:
0.44 km2
comparative area:
about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries:
total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain:
low hill
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
urban
Note:
landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world’s smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope’s summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
*Holy See (Vatican City), People
Population:
811 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.15% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate:
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
NA years
male:
NA years
female:
NA years
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun:
none
adjective:
none
Ethnic divisions:
Italians, Swiss
Religions:
Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican
*Holy See (Vatican City), Government
Names:
conventional long form:
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form:
Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form:
Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form:
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Digraph:
VT
Type:
monarchical-sacerdotal state
Capital:
Vatican City
Independence:
11 February 1929 (from Italy)
Constitution:
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) Legal system:
NA
National holiday:
Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II) note:
Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978 Political parties and leaders:
none
Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) Suffrage:
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Elections:
Pope:
last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); results – Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the College of Cardinals
Executive branch:
pope
Legislative branch:
unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch:
none; normally handled by Italy
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978) Head of Government:
Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA) Member of:
CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN chancery:
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 333-7121
*Holy See (Vatican City), Government
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
embassy:
Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294, 00165 Rome mailing address:
PSC 59, APO AE 09624
telephone:
[396] 46741
FAX:
[396] 638-0159
Flag:
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal tiara centered in the white band
*Holy See (Vatican City), Economy
Overview:
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter’s Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Budget:
revenues $86 million; expenditures $178 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Electricity:
5,000 kW standby capacity (1992); power supplied by Italy Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Currency:
1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates:
Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 – 1,482.5 (January 1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988); note – the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Holy See (Vatican City), Communications
Railroads:
850 m, 750 mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome station of Saint Peter’s)
Highways:
none; all city streets
Telecommunications:
broadcast stations – 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephone exchange; no communications satellite systems
*Holy See (Vatican City), Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City
*Honduras, Geography
Location:
Central America, between Guatemala and Nicaragua Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
112,090 km2
land area:
111,890 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total 1,520 km, Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Coastline:
820 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required
Climate:
subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Terrain:
mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Natural resources:
timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish Land use:
arable land:
14%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
30%
forest and woodland:
34%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
900 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast; deforestation; soil erosion
*Honduras, People
Population:
5,170,108 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.8% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
35.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate:
6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate:
-1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate:
47.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.17 years
male:
64.82 years
female: 69.62 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.87 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Honduran(s)
adjective:
Honduran
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions:
Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority Languages:
Spanish, Indian dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population:
73%
male:
76%
female:
71%
Labor force:
1.3 million
by occupation:
agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%, other 6% (1985)
*Honduras, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Honduras
conventional short form:
Honduras
local long form:
Republica de Honduras
local short form:
Honduras
Digraph:
HO
Type:
republic
Capital:
Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions:
18 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Constitution:
11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982 Legal system:
rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Political parties and leaders:
Liberal Party (PLH), Carlos Roberto REINA, presidential candidate, Rafael PINEDA Ponce, president; National Party (PN) has two factions: Movimiento Nacional de Reivindication Callejista (Monarca), Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS, and Oswaldista, Oswaldo RAMOS SOTO, presidential candidate; National Innovation and Unity Party (PINU), German LEITZELAR, president; Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Efrain DIAZ Arrivillaga, president Other political or pressure groups:
National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH); National Union of Campesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT); United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations (CCOP)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections:
President:
last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results – Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS (PNH) 51%, Carlos FLORES Facusse (PLH) 43.3%, other 5.7%
National Congress:
last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results – PNH 51%, PLH 43%, PDCH 1.9%, PINU-SD 1.5%, other 2.6%; seats – (128 total) PNH 71, PLH 55, PINU-SD 2
Executive branch:
president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch:
unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
*Honduras, Government
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (since 26 January 1990) Member of:
BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Rene Arturo BENDANA-VALENZUELA chancery:
3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 966-7702
consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulates:
Baton Rouge, Boston, Detroit, Houston, and Jacksonville US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador William Bryce (since 28 May 1993) embassy:
Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa
mailing address:
APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone:
[504] 32-3120
FAX:
[504] 32-0027
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
*Honduras, Economy
Overview:
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts for more than 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still in its early stages, employs nearly 9% of the labor force, accounts for 15% of GDP, and generates 20% of exports. The service sectors, including public administration, account for 50% of GDP and employ nearly 20% of the labor force. Basic problems facing the economy include rapid population growth, high unemployment, a lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public sector, and the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and bananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching reform program initiated by President CALLEJAS in 1990 is beginning to take hold.
National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $5.5 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate:
3.6% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,090 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (30-40% underemployed) (1989)
Budget:
revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $511 million (1990 est.) Exports:
$1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber partners:
US 65%, Germany 9%, Japan 8%, Belgium 7% Imports:
$1.3 billion (c.i.f. 1991)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs
partners:
US 45%, Japan 9%, Netherlands 7%, Mexico 7%, Venezuela 6% External debt:
$2.8 billion (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0.8% (1990 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity:
575,000 kW capacity; 2,000 million kWh produced, 390 kWh per capita (1992) Industries:
agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, wood products
Agriculture:
most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, more than 60% of the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal products include bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importer of wheat Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion
*Honduras, Economy
Currency:
1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
lempiras (L) per US$1 – 5.4 (fixed rate); 5.70 parallel black-market rate (November 1990); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992; current rate about US$1 – 5.65
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Honduras, Communications
Railroads:
785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gauge Highways:
8,950 km total; 1,700 km paved, 5,000 km otherwise improved, 2,250 km unimproved earth
Inland waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft Ports:
Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo Merchant marine:
252 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 819,100 GRT/1,195,276 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 162 cargo, 20 refrigerated cargo, 10 container, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 22 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 specialized tanker, 22 bulk, 3 passenger, 2 short-sea passenger; note – a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 10 ships under the Honduran flag Airports:
total:
165
usable:
137
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
14
Telecommunications:
inadequate system with only 7 telephones per 1,000 persons; international services provided by 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earch stations and the Central American microwave radio relay system; broadcast stations – 176 AM, no FM, 7 SW, 28 TV
*Honduras, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces (FUSEP) Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,185,072; fit for military service 706,291; reach military age (18) annually 58,583 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $45 million, about 1% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Hong Kong, Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
*Hong Kong, Geography
Location:
East Asia, on the southeast coast of China bordering the South China Sea Map references:
Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area:
1,040 km2
land area:
990 km2
comparative area:
slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
total 30 km, China 30 km
Coastline:
733 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
3 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain:
hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Natural resources:
outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Land use:
arable land:
7%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
12%
other:
79%
Irrigated land:
20 km2 (1989)
Environment:
more than 200 islands; occasional typhoons
*Hong Kong, People
Population:
5,552,965 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.06% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
12.27 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate:
5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate:
-7.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate:
5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
79.99 years
male:
76.55 years
female:
83.64 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.34 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Chinese
adjective:
Chinese
Ethnic divisions:
Chinese 98%, other 2%
Religions:
eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Languages:
Chinese (Cantonese), English
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1971) total population:
77%
male:
90%
female:
64%
Labor force:
2.8 million (1990)
by occupation:
manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7% (1989)
*Hong Kong, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Hong Kong
Abbreviation:
HK
Digraph:
HK
Type:
dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997 Capital:
Victoria
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with China on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong’s existing social and economic systems and lifestyle)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Law approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997 Legal system:
based on English common law
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)
Political parties and leaders:
United Democrats of Hong Kong, Martin LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Democratic Foundation Other political or pressure groups:
Cooperative Resources Center, Allen LEE, chairman; Meeting Point, Anthony CHEUNG, chairman; Association of Democracy and People’s Livelihood, Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal Democratic Federation, HEUNG Yee Kuk; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China); Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China Suffrage:
direct election 21 years of age; universal as a permanent resident living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years indirect election limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functional constituencies
Elections:
Legislative Council:
indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections were held for the first time 15 September 1991 (next to be held in September 1995 when the number of directly-elected seats increases to 20); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (60 total; 21 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 18 directly elected, 18 appointed by governor, 3 ex officio members); indirect elections – number of seats by functional constituency NA; direct elections – UDHK 12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other 2
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor, chief secretary of the Executive Council Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council
*Hong Kong, Government
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government:
Governor Chris PATTEN (since NA July 1992); Chief Secretary Sir David Robert FORD (since NA February 1987)
Member of: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO Diplomatic representation in US:
as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of Hong Kong in the US are represented by the UK
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Consul General Richard L. WILLIAMS embassy:
Consulate General at 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address:
Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002 telephone:
[852] 239-011
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
*Hong Kong, Economy
Overview:
Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or nontariff barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Manufacturing accounts for about 18% of GDP, employs 28% of the labor force, and exports about 90% of its output. Real GDP growth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and picked up to 4.2% in 1991 and 5.9% in 1992. Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s, is now about 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of living. Short-term prospects remain bright so long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous.
National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $86 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate:
5.9% (1992)
National product per capita:
$14,600 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.4% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $17.4 billion; expenditures $14.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92)
Exports:
$118 billion, including reexports of $85.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities:
clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toys
partners: US 29%, China 21%, Germany 8%, UK 6%, Japan 5% (1990) Imports:
$120 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum partners:
China 37%, Japan 16%, Taiwan 9%, US 8% (1990) External debt:
$9.5 billion (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
9,566,000 kW capacity; 29,400 million kWh produced, 4,980 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Agriculture:
minor role in the economy; rice, vegetables, dairy products; less than 20% self-sufficient; shortages of rice, wheat, water Illicit drugs:
a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and major financial and money-laundering center
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $152 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $923 million Currency:
1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents
*Hong Kong, Economy
Exchange rates:
Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ – 7.800 (1992), 7.771 (1991), 7.790 (1990), 7.800 (1989), 7.810 (1988), 7.760 (1987); note – linked to the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985 Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
*Hong Kong, Communications
Railroads:
35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned Highways:
1,100 km total; 794 km paved, 306 km gravel, crushed stone, or earth Ports:
Hong Kong
Merchant marine:
176 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 5,870,007 GRT/10,006,390 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 20 cargo, 6 refrigerated cargo, 29 container, 15 oil tanker, 3 chemical tanker, 6 combination ore/oil, 5 liquefied gas, 88 bulk, 2 combination bulk; note – a flag of convenience registry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly the UK flag, and an estimated 500 Hong Kong-owned ships are registered elsewhere Airports:
total:
2
useable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services; 3,000,000 telephones; microwave transmission links and extensive optical fiber transmission network; broadcast stations – 6 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) repeater station and 1 British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater station; 2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000 TV sets (1,224,000 color TV sets); satellite earth stations – 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; links to 5 international submarine cables providing access to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
*Hong Kong, Defense Forces
Branches:
Headquarters of British Forces, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Police Force Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,635,516; fit for military service 1,256,057; reach military age (18) annually 43,128 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $300 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989 est.); this represents one-fourth of the total cost of defending itself, the remainder being paid by the UK
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
*Howland Island, Header
Affiliation:
(territory of the US)
*Howland Island, Geography
Location:
in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area:
1.6 km2
land area:
1.6 km2
comparative area:
about 2.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m or the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain:
low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
Natural resources:
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s) Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
95%
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats
*Howland Island, People
Population:
uninhabited; note – American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators
*Howland Island, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Howland Island
Digraph:
HQ
Type:
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Capital:
none; administered from Washington, DC
*Howland Island, Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
*Howland Island, Communications
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports:
airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan – they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable
Note:
Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart
*Howland Island, Defense Forces
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
*Hungary, Geography
Location:
Eastern Europe, between Slovakia and Romania Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area:
total area:
93,030 km2
land area:
92,340 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total 1,952 km, Austria 366 km, Croatia 292 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 82 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia; Vojvodina taken from Hungary and awarded to the former Yugoslavia by treaty of Trianon in 1920 Climate:
temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains
Natural resources:
bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils Land use:
arable land:
50.7%
permanent crops:
6.1%
meadows and pastures:
12.6%
forest and woodland:
18.3%
other:
12.3%
Irrigated land:
1,750 km2 (1989)
Environment:
levees are common along many streams, but flooding occurs almost every year Note:
landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
*Hungary, People
Population:
10,324,018 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.07% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
12.33 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate:
13.02 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate:
13.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.86 years
male:
66.81 years
female:
75.12 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.83 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Hungarian(s)
adjective:
Hungarian
Ethnic divisions:
Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7% Religions:
Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5% Languages:
Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population:
99%
male:
99%
female:
98%
Labor force:
5.4 million
by occupation:
services, trade, government, and other 44.8%, industry 29.7%, agriculture 16.1%, construction 7.0% (1991)
*Hungary, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Hungary
conventional short form:
Hungary
local long form:
Magyar Koztarsasag
local short form:
Magyarorszag
Digraph: HU
Type:
republic
Capital:
Budapest
Administrative divisions:
38 counties (megyek, singular – megye) and 1 capital city* (fovaros);, Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*,, Csongrad, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Fejer, Gyor, Gyor-Moson-Sopron,
Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Pest, Somogy, Sopron, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala, Zalaegerszeg Independence:
1001 (unification by King Stephen I) Constitution:
18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight
Legal system:
in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model National holiday:
October 23 (1956) (commemorates the Hungarian uprising) Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Forum, Jozsef ANTALL, chairman, Dr. Lajos FUR, executive chairman; Independent Smallholders (FKGP), Jozsef TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), Gyula HORN, chairman; Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP), Dr. Lazlo SURJAN, president; Federation of Young Democrats (FIDESZ), Viktor ORBAN, chairman; Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), Ivan PETO, chairman
note:
the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers’ Party (MSZMP) renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) in October 1989; there is still a small (fringe) MSZMP
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 3 August 1990 (next to be held NA 1995); results – President GONCZ elected by parliamentary vote; note – President GONCZ was elected by the National Assembly with a total of 295 votes out of 304 as interim President from 2 May 1990 until elected President National Assembly:
last held on 25 March 1990 (first round, with the second round held 8 April 1990); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (386 total) Democratic Forum 162, Free Democrats 90, Independent Smallholders 45, Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) 33, Young Democrats 22, Christian Democrats 21, independents or jointly sponsored candidates 13
*Hungary, Government
Executive branch:
president, prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Orszaggyules) Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president from 2 May 1990)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Jozsef ANTALL (since 21 May 1990) Member of:
Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-9, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pal TAR
chancery:
3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 362-6730
FAX:
(202) 966-8135
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Charles H. THOMAS
embassy:
V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest
mailing address:
Am Embassy, Unit 25402, APO AE 09213-5270 telephone:
[36] (1) 112-6450
FAX:
[36] (1) 132-8934
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
*Hungary, Economy
Overview:
Hungary is in the midst of a difficult transition from a command to a market economy. Agriculture is an important sector, providing sizable export earnings and meeting domestic food needs. Industry accounts for about 40% of GDP and 30% of employment. Hungary claims that less than 25% of foreign trade is now with former CEMA countries, while about 70% is with OECD members. Hungary’s economic reform programs during the Communist era gave it a head start in creating a market economy and attracting foreign investment. In 1991, Hungary received 60% of all foreign investment in Eastern Europe, and in 1992 received the largest single share. The growing private sector accounts for about one-third of national output according to unofficial estimates. Privatization of state enterprises is progressing, although excessive red tape, bureaucratic oversight, and uncertainties about pricing have slowed the process. Escalating unemployment and high rates of inflation may impede efforts to speed up privatization and budget reform, while Hungary’s heavy foreign debt will make the government reluctant to introduce full convertibility of the forint before 1994 and to rein in inflation. The government is projecting an end to the 5-year recession in 1993, and GDP is forecast to grow 0%-3%.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $55.4 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate:
-5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,380 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
23% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.3% (1992)
Budget:
revenues $13.2 billion; expenditures $15.4 billion, including capital expenditures $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$10.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals 35.5%, machinery 13.5%, light industry 23.3%, food and agricultural 24.8%, fuels and energy 2.8% partners:
OECD 70.7%, (EC 50.1%, EFTA 15.0%), LDCs 5.1%, former CEMA members 23.2%, others 1.0% (1991)
Imports:
$11.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
fuels and energy 14.9%, raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals 37.6%, machinery 19.7%, light industry 21.5%, food and agricultural 6.3% partners:
OECD 71.0%, (EC 45.4%, EFTA 20.0%), LDCs 3.9%, former CEMA members 23.9%, others 1.2% (1991)
External debt:
$23.5 billion (September 1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate -10% (1992)
Electricity:
7,200,000 kW capacity; 30,000 million kWh produced, 3,000 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), buses, automobiles
*Hungary, Economy
Agriculture:
including forestry, accounts for 15% of GDP and 16% of employment; highly diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops – wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets; livestock – hogs, cattle, poultry, dairy products; self-sufficient in food output Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southeast Asia heroin transiting the Balkan route Economic aid:
recipient – $9.1 billion in assistance from OECD countries (from 1st quarter 1990 to end of 2nd quarter 1991)
Currency:
1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler
Exchange rates:
forints per US$1 – 83.97 (December 1992), 78.99 (1992), 74.74 (1991), 63.21 (1990), 59.07 (1989), 50.41 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Hungary, Communications
Railroads:
7,765 km total; 7,508 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 222 km narrow gauge (mostly 0.760-meter), 35 km 1.520-meter broad gauge; 1,236 km double track, 2,249 km electrified; all government owned (1990) Highways:
130,218 km total; 29,919 km national highway system (27,212 km asphalt, 126 km concrete, 50 km stone and road brick, 2,131 km macadam, 400 km unpaved); 58,495 km country roads (66% unpaved), and 41,804 km other roads (70% unpaved) (1988)
Inland waterways:
1,622 km (1988)
Pipelines:
crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991) Ports:
Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube; coastal outlets are Rostock (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia (Poland), Szczecin (Poland), Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania)
Merchant marine:
12 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) and 1 bulk totaling 83,091 GRT/115,950 DWT
Airports:
total:
92
usable:
92
with permanent-surface runways:
25
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
20
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
28
Telecommunications:
automatic telephone network based on microwave radio relay system; 1,128,800 phones (1991); telephone density is at 19.4 per 100 inhabitants; 49% of all phones are in Budapest; 608,000 telephones on order (1991); 12-15 year wait for a phone; 14,213 telex lines (1991); broadcast stations – 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (8 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.2 million TVs (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT and Intersputnik
*Hungary, Defense Forces
Branches:
Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Territorial Defense Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,630,552; fit for military service 2,101,637; reach military age (18) annually 91,979 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures:
66.5 billion forints, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note – conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
*Iceland, Geography
Location:
in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Greenland and Norway Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
103,000 km2
land area:
100,250 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
4,988 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) Climate:
temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain:
mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Natural resources:
fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite Land use:
arable land:
1% permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
1%
other:
78%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity Note:
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
*Iceland, People
Population:
261,270 (July 1993 est.)
note:
population data estimates based on average growth rate may differ slightly from official population data because of volatile migration rates Population growth rate:
0.88% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
16.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate:
6.74 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate:
-1.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate:
4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.69 years
male:
76.45 years
female:
81.04 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.16 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Icelander(s)
adjective:
Icelandic
Ethnic divisions:
homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, none 1% (1988)
Languages:
Icelandic
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1976) total population:
100%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
127,900
by occupation:
commerce, transportation, and services 60.0%, manufacturing 12.5%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, construction 10.8%, agriculture 4.0% (1990)
*Iceland, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Iceland
conventional short form:
Iceland
local long form:
Lyoveldio Island
local short form:
Island
Digraph:
IC
Type:
republic
Capital:
Reykjavik
Administrative divisions:
23 counties (syslar, singular – sysla) and 14 independent towns*, (kaupstadhir, singular – kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla,, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla,
Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*,, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la,, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*,, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*,, Skagafjardharsysla,
Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla,, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla Independence:
17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
Constitution:
16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 Legal system:
civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944) Political parties and leaders:
Independence Party (conservative), David ODDSSON; Progressive Party, Steingrimur HERMANNSSON; Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON; People’s Alliance (left socialist), Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON; Women’s List Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held on 29 June 1988 (next scheduled for June 1996); results – there was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR was unopposed Althing:
last held on 20 April 1991 (next to be held by April 1995); results – Independence Party 38.6%, Progressive Party 18.9%, Social Democratic Party 15.5%, People’s Alliance 14.4%, Womens List 8.3%, Liberals 1.2%, other 3.1%; seats – (63 total) Independence 26, Progressive 13, Social Democratic 10, People’s Alliance 9, Womens List 5
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Althing)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Haestirettur)
*Iceland, Government
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980) Head of Government:
Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) Member of:
Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
chancery:
2022 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 265-6653 through 6655
FAX:
(202) 265-6656
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d’Affaires Jon GUNDERSEN embassy:
Laufasvegur 21, Box 40, Reykjavik
mailing address:
USEMB, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone:
[354] (1) 29100
FAX: [354] (1) 29139
Flag:
blue with a red cross outlined in white 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)
*Iceland, Economy
Overview:
Iceland’s Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, but with an extensive welfare system, relatively low unemployment, and comparatively even distribution of income. The economy is heavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 75% of export earnings and employs 12% of the workforce. In the absence of other natural resources – except energy – Iceland’s economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. Iceland’s economy has been in recession since 1988. The recession deepened in 1992 due to severe cutbacks in fishing quotas and falling world prices for the country’s main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Real GDP declined 3.3% in 1992 and is forecast to contract another 1.5% in 1993. The center-right government’s economic goals include reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The recession has led to a wave of bankruptcies and mergers throughout the economy, as well as the highest unemployment of the post-World War II period. The national unemployment rate reached 5% in early 1993, with some parts of the country experiencing unemployment in the 9-10% range. Inflation, previously a serious problem, declined from double digit rates in the 1980s to only 3.7% in 1992.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $4.5 billion (1992) National product real growth rate:
-3.3% (1992)
National product per capita:
$17,400 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5% (first quarter 1993)
Budget:
revenues $1.8 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $191 million (1992)
Exports:
$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum, ferrosilicon, diatomite partners:
EC 68% (UK 25%, Germany 12%), US 11%, Japan 8% (1992) Imports:
$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles
partners: EC 53% (Germany 14%, Denmark 10%, UK 9%), Norway 14%, US 9% (1992) External debt:
$3.9 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.75% (1991 est.)
Electricity:
1,063,000 kW capacity; 5,165 million kWh produced, 19,940 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production, geothermal power
*Iceland, Economy
Agriculture:
accounts for about 25% of GDP; fishing is most important economic activity, contributing nearly 75% to export earnings; principal crops – potatoes, turnips; livestock – cattle, sheep; self-sufficient in crops; fish catch of about 1.4 million metric tons in 1989
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 million Currency:
1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar Exchange rates:
Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 – 63.789 (January 1993), 57.546 (1992), 58.996 (1991), 58.284 (1990), 57.042 (1989), 43.014 (1988) Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Iceland, Communications
Highways:
11,543 km total; 2,690 km hard surfaced, 8,853 km gravel and earth Ports:
Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hafnarfjordhur, Keflavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Siglufjordhur, Vestmannaeyjar
Merchant marine:
10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,832 GRT/53,037 DWT; includes 3 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker
Airports:
total:
90
usable:
84
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 12
Telecommunications:
adequate domestic service; coaxial and fiber-optical cables and microwave radio relay for trunk network; 140,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 5 AM, 147 (transmitters and repeaters) FM, 202 (transmitters and repeaters) TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station carries all international traffic; a second INTELSAT earth station is scheduled to be operational in 1993
*Iceland, Defense Forces
Branches:
Police, Coast Guard
note:
no armed forces, Iceland’s defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 69,499; fit for military service 61,798 (1993 est.); no conscription or compulsory military service Defense expenditures:
none
*India, Geography
Location:
South Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Pakistan
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
3,287,590 km2
land area:
2,973,190 km2
comparative area:
slightly more than one-third the size of the US Land boundaries:
total 14,103 km, Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline:
7,000 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundaries with Bangladesh and China; status of Kashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems with downstream riparians, Bangladesh over the Ganges and Pakistan over the Indus
Climate:
varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Terrain:
upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Natural resources:
coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone Land use:
arable land:
55%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
23%
other:
17%
Irrigated land:
430,390 km2 (1989)
Environment:
droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; air and water pollution; desertification Note:
dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes
*India, People
Population:
903,158,968 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.86% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
29.11 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate:
10.52 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate:
80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
58.12 years
male:
57.69 years
female:
58.59 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.57 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality:
noun: Indian(s)
adjective:
Indian
Ethnic divisions:
Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% Religions:
Hindu 82.6%, Muslim 11.4%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2%, Buddhist 0.7%, Jains 0.5%, other 0.4%
Languages:
English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people, Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official), Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani a popular variant of Hindu/Urdu, is spoken widely throughout northern India note:
24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: