Rwanda; of these 720,000 returned from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 480,000 from Tanzania, 88,000 from Burundi, and 10,000 from Uganda; probably fewer than 100,000 Rwandans remained outside of Rwanda at the end of 1997
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 113.31 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 41.93 years
male: 41.49 years
female: 42.4 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.86 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Rwandan(s)
adjective: Rwandan
Ethnic groups: Hutu 80%, Tutsi 19%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 1%, indigenous beliefs and other 25%
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.5%
male: 69.8%
female: 51.6% (1995 est.)
@Rwanda:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Rwandese Republic conventional short form: Rwanda
local long form: Republika y’u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda
Data code: RW
Government type: republic; presidential, multiparty system
National capital: Kigali
Administrative divisions: 12 prefectures (prefectures, singular-prefecture in French; plural – NA, singular-prefegitura in Kinyarwanda); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali, Kigaliville, Umutara, Ruhengeri
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: on 5 May 1995, the Transitional National Assembly adopted a new constitution which included elements of the constitution of 18 June 1991 as well as provisions of the 1993 Arusha peace accord and the November 1994 multi-party protocol of understanding
Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU (since 19 July 1994); Vice President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (since 19 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Celestin RWIGEMA (since 1 September 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: normally the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held in December 1988 (next to be held NA); prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Juvenal HABYARIMANA elected president; percent of vote-99.98% (HABYARIMANA was the sole candidate) note: President HABYARIMANA was assassinated on 6 April 1994 and replaced by President BIZIMUNGU who was installed by the military forces of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front on 19 July 1994
Legislative branch: unicameral Transitional National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale de Transition (70 seats; members were predetermined by the Arusha peace accord to serve NA-year terms) elections: last held 26 December 1988 (next to be held NA); note-the Transitional National Assembly is a power-sharing body established on 12 December 1994 following a multi-party protocol of understanding election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-RPF 19, MDR 13, PSD 13, PL 13, PDC 6, PSR 2, PDI 2, other 2; note-the distribution of seats was predetermined
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Political parties and leaders: significant parties include: Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Alexis KANYARENGWE, chairman]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR; Liberal Party or PL; Democratic and Socialist Party or PSD; Christian Democratic Party or PDC; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI; Rwandan Socialist Party or PSR; National Movement for Democracy and Development or MRND (former ruling party)
Political pressure groups and leaders: Rwanda Patriotic Army or RPA, the RPF military wing [Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME, commander]; Rally for the Democracy and Return (RDR)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Theogene N. RUDASINGWA chancery: (temporary) 1814 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert GRIBBIN III embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali
telephone: [250] 756 01 through 03, 721 26, 771 47 FAX: [250] 721 28
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band
@Rwanda:Economy
Economy-overview: Rwanda is a poor African nation that has suffered bitterly from ethnic-based civil war. The agricultural sector dominates the economy; coffee and tea normally make up 80%-90% of exports. The amount of fertile land is limited, however, and deforestation and soil erosion continue to reduce the production potential. Manufacturing focuses mainly on the processing of agricultural products. A structural adjustment program with the World Bank began in October 1990. Civil war in 1990 devastated wide areas, especially in the north, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. A peace accord in mid-1993 temporarily ended most of the fighting, but resumption of large-scale violence and genocide in April 1994 in the capital city Kigali and elsewhere took 500,000 lives in that year alone and severely damaged already poor economic prospects. In 1994-96, peace was restored throughout much of the country. In 1996-97 most of the refugees who fled the war returned to Rwanda. Sketchy data suggest that GDP dropped 50% in 1994 and came back partially, by 25%, in 1995. Plentiful rains helped agriculture in 1996, and outside aid continued to support this desperately poor economy. The economy continues to face significant challenges in rehabilitating infrastructure, agriculture, health care facilities, and capital plant. Recovery of domestic production will proceed slowly.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$3 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 13.3% (1996)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$440 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 37%
industry: 17%
services: 46% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 7.4% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 3.6 million
by occupation: agriculture 93%, government and services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $231 million
expenditures: $319 million, including capital expenditures of $13 million (1996 est.)
Industries: mining of cassiterite (tin ore) and wolframite (tungsten ore), tin, cement, processing of agricultural products, small-scale beverage production, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate: 4.9% (1995 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 34,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 169 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 21 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock
Exports:
total value: $62.3 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: coffee 74%, tea, cassiterite, wolframite, pyrethrum (1995)
partners: Brazil, EU
Imports:
total value: $202.4 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs 35%, machines and equipment, capital goods, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material (1995) partners: US, EU, Kenya, Tanzania
Debt-external: $1 billion (December 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in October 1990 Rwanda launched a Structural Adjustment Program with the IMF; since September 1991, the EU has given $46 million and the US $25 million in support of this program (1993)
Currency: 1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1-302.28 (January 1998), 301.53 (1997), 306.82 (1996), 262.20 (1995), 144.31 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 6,400 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: telephone system does not provide service to the general public but is intended for business and government use domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the prefectures by microwave radio relay; the remainder of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone
international: international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 630,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Rwanda:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 12,000 km
paved: 1,000 km
unpaved: 11,000 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft
Ports and harbors: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Airports: 7 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Rwanda:Military
Military branches: Army, Gendarmerie
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,892,503 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 963,218 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $112.5 million (1992)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 7% (1992)
@Rwanda:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT HELENA
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Saint Helena:Geography
Location: islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about mid-way between South America and Africa
Geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 42 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 410 sq km
land: 410 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ascension, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha Island
Area-comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 60 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Saint Helena-tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Tristan da Cunha-temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)
Terrain: Saint Helena-rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains
note: the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Queen Mary’s Peak 2,060 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: 6%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 82% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: Napoleon Bonaparte’s place of exile and burial (his remains were taken to Paris in 1840); harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns
@Saint Helena:People
Population: 7,091 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 718; female 694) 15-64 years: 71% (male 2,643; female 2,423) 65 years and over: 9% (male 249; female 364) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 14.1 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 28.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.73 years
male: 72.66 years
female: 78.96 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saint Helenian(s)
adjective: Saint Helenian
Ethnic groups: African descent, white
Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic
Languages: English
Literacy:
definition: age 20 and over can read and write total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 98% (1987 est.)
@Saint Helena:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Helena
Data code: SH
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: Jamestown
Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen, 10 June 1989 (second Saturday in June)
Constitution: 1 January 1989
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief David Leslie SMALLMAN (since NA 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex-officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor is appointed by the queen
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (15 seats, including the governor, 2 ex-officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 July 1997 (next to be held NA July 2001) election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-independents 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship
@Saint Helena:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy depends primarily on financial assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$NA
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 2,416 (1991 est.)
by occupation: professional, technical, and related workers 8.7%, managerial, administrative, and clerical 12.8%, sales people 8.1%, farmer, fishermen, etc. 5.4%, craftspersons, production process workers 14.7%, others 50.3% (1987)
note: a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $11.2 million
expenditures: $11 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92/93)
Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 4,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 6 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 887 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being developed; fishing, including crawfishing on Tristan da Cunha
Exports:
total value: $704,000 (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), handicrafts
partners: South Africa, UK
Imports:
total value: $14.434 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts partners: UK, South Africa
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: $5.3 million from UK (1997)
Currency: 1 Saint Helenian pound (£S) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (£S) per US$1-0.6115 (January 1998), 0.6047 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993); note – the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 550
Telephone system:
domestic: automatic network; HF radiotelephone from Saint Helena to Ascension, then into worldwide submarine cable and satellite networks international: major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK at Ascension; satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,500 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Communications-note: Gough Island has a meteorological station
@Saint Helena:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha NA km)
paved: 180.7 km (Saint Helena 98 km, Ascension 80 km, Tristan da Cunha 2.70 km)
unpaved: NA km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha NA km)
Ports and harbors: Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Saint Helena:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Saint Helena:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 269 sq km
land: 269 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 135 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 22%
permanent crops: 17%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 17%
other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to October)
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:People
Population: 42,291 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 7,217; female 6,860) 15-64 years: 61% (male 12,860; female 12,748) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,058; female 1,548) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.23% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 8.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.58 years
male: 64.52 years
female: 70.82 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)
adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian
Ethnic groups: black
Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic
Languages: English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 98% (1980 est.)
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
Data code: SC
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Basseterre
Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Constitution: 19 September 1983
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dr. Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (14 seats, 11 popularly elected from single member constituencies; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held by July 2000) election results: percent of vote by party-SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seats by party-SKNLP 7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia); one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts
Political parties and leaders: People’s Action Movement (PAM), Dr. Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Joseph PARRY; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Osbert W. LIBURD chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interests are monitored by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados
Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking activity have assumed larger roles. Most food is imported. The government has undertaken a program designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social programs. In 1997 some leaders in Nevis were urging separation from Saint Kitts on the basis that Nevis was paying far more in taxes than it was receiving in government services.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$235 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 5.8% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$5,700 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 22%
services: 72% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.1% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 18,172 (June 1995)
by occupation: services 69%, manufacturing 31%
Unemployment rate: 4.3% (May 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $100.2 million
expenditures: $100.1 million, including capital expenditures of $41.4 million (1996 est.)
Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 16,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 81 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,976 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing potential not fully exploited
Exports:
total value: $39.1 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages and tobacco partners: US 46.6%, UK 26.4%, Caricom nations 9.8% (1994)
Imports:
total value: $131.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels partners: US 45%, Caricom nations 18.8%, UK 12.5%, Canada 4.2%, Japan 4.2%, (1994)
Debt-external: $56 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3,800 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) domestic: interisland links are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to Antigua and Barbuda and from there switched to submarine cable or to Intelsat, or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 25,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: 9,500 (1993 est.)
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:Transportation
Railways:
total: 58 km
narrow gauge: 58 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane plantations (1995)
Highways:
total: 320 km
paved: 136 km
unpaved: 184 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Basseterre, Charlestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Saint Kitts and Nevis:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment points for South American drugs destined for the US
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT LUCIA
@Saint Lucia:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 620 sq km
land: 610 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area-comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 158 km
Maritime claims: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August
Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 21%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 13%
other: 53% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
@Saint Lucia:People
Population: 152,335 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 26,261; female 25,747) 15-64 years: 60% (male 45,182; female 46,956) 65 years and over: 6% (male 3,095; female 5,094) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 22.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.64 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 16.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.58 years
male: 67.94 years
female: 75.48 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic groups: black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 67%
male: 65%
female: 69% (1980 est.)
@Saint Lucia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Data code: ST
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Castries
Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux Fort
Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution: 22 February 1979
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dr. Perlette LOUISY (since September 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth ANTHONY (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body, six appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote from single member constituencies to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly-last held 23 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)
election results: House of Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party – SLP 16, UWP 1
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Political parties and leaders: United Workers’ Party (UWP); Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Kenneth ANTHONY; National Freedom Party (NFP), Martinus FRANCOIS
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Mrs. Juliet Elaine MALLET PHILLIP
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6728
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the Ambassador to Saint Lucia resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag description: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
@Saint Lucia:Economy
Economy-overview: Though foreign investment in manufacturing and information processing in recent years has increased Saint Lucia’s industrial base, the economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic droughts and tropical storms. Indeed, the destructive effect of Tropical Storm Iris in mid-1995 caused the loss of 20% of the year’s banana crop. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia’s need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by further expanding tourism, manufacturing, and construction.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$600 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 0.8% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$3,800 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.7%
industry: 32.3%
services: 57% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: -2.3% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
total: 43,800
by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $155 million
expenditures: $169 million, including capital expenditures of $48 million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (1996 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 22,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 110 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 705 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Exports:
total value: $79.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil
partners: UK 50%, US 24%, Caricom countries 16% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $270.6 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 22%, UK 11%, Japan 5%, Canada 4% (1995)
Debt-external: $131 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: system is automatically switched international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 104,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (two commercial stations and one cable)
Televisions: 26,000 (1992 est.)
@Saint Lucia:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,210 km
paved: 63 km
unpaved: 1,147 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Castries, Vieux Fort
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Saint Lucia:Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $5 million (1991); note-for police force
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2% (1991)
@Saint Lucia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON
(territorial collectivity of France)
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Geography
Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 E
Map references: North America
Area:
total: 242 sq km
land: 242 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups
Area-comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy
Terrain: mostly barren rock
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: 4%
other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: vegetation scanty
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:People
Population: 6,914 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 12.45 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.62 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.91 years
male: 75.35 years
female: 78.79 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French
Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%
Languages: French
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (1982 est.)
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
Data code: SB
Dependency status: self-governing territorial collectivity of France
Government type: NA
National capital: Saint-Pierre
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) note: there are no first-order administrative divisions approved by the US Government, but there are two communes-St. Pierre, Miquelon
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as housing and taxation
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Francois CARENCO (since NA 1996) head of government: President of the General Council Bernard LE SOAVEC (since NA 1996)
cabinet: NA
elections: prefect appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council is elected by the members of the council
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats, 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA April 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-RPR 15, other 4
note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); results – percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-RPR 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results-percent of vote by party – NA; seats by party-UDF 1
Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d’Appel
Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party or PS; Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF
International organization participation: FZ, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Flag description: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Economy
Economy-overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped steadily over the years. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$74 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$11,000 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force:
total: 2,971 (1995)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 11% (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $28 million
expenditures: $28 million, including capital expenditures of $7.8 million (1992 est.)
Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 27,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 42 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 6,216 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs; fish catch of 14,800 metric tons (1994)
Exports:
total value: $5 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal (1990)
Imports:
total value: $70.2 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials
partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3,650 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 3,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (programs from France, Canada, and the US are rebroadcast)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 114 km
paved: 69 km
unpaved: 45 km (1994 est.)
Ports and harbors: Saint Pierre
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 340 sq km
land: 340 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 84 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 18%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 36%
other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat
Environment-current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography-note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:People
Population: 119,818 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (male 18,630; female 17,994) 15-64 years: 64% (male 38,562; female 37,979) 65 years and over: 5% (male 2,740; female 3,913) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.6% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 18.74 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.28 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.51 years
male: 72 years
female: 75.07 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic groups: black, white, East Indian, Carib Amerindian
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages: English, French patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96%
male: 96%
female: 96% (1970 est.)
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Data code: VC
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Kingstown
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution: 27 October 1979
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Charles ANTROBUS (since NA) head of government: Prime Minister James Fitz-Allen MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; members are elected by popular vote from single member constituencies to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 21 February 1994 (next to be held by NA May 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NDP 12, ULP 3
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia); one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent
Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James F. MITCHELL; United People’s Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL; Unity Labor Party (ULP),Vincent BEACHE-formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party (SVLP) and the Movement for National Unity (MNU)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Economy
Economy-overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this lower middle income economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands’ development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$259 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 1% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,200 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.6%
industry: 17.5%
services: 71.9% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.6% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 67,000 (1984 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35%-40% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $80 million
expenditures: $118 million, including capital expenditures of $39 million (1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 14,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 64 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 545 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; small fish catch used locally
Exports:
total value: $46 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets
partners: Caricom countries 49%, UK 16%, US 10% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $127 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels
partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 28%, UK 13% (1995)
Debt-external: NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 6,189 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines
international: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 20,600 (1992 est.)
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,040 km
paved: 320 km
unpaved: 720 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Kingstown
Merchant marine:
total: 799 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,063,755 GRT/12,629,612 DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 136, cargo 383, chemical tanker 27, combination bulk 11, combination ore/oil 9, container 44, liquefied gas tanker 4, livestock carrier 4, multi-function large load carrier 2, oil tanker 70, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 37, roll-on/roll-off cargo 53, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 24 countries among which are Croatia 22, Slovenia 8, China 7, Greece 7, UAE 4, Norway 3, India 2, Japan 2, Russia 2, and Ukraine 2 (1997 est.)
Airports: 6 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment points for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
______________________________________________________________________
SAMOA
@Samoa:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 2,860 sq km
land: 2,850 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 403 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 24%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 47%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Environment-current issues: soil erosion
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
@Samoa:People
Population: 224,713 (July 1998 est.)
note: other estimates range as low as 162,000
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 44,991; female 43,537) 15-64 years: 57% (male 66,201; female 60,764) 65 years and over: 4% (male 4,352; female 4,868) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.33% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 29.62 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 31.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.45 years
male: 67.07 years
female: 71.96 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.72 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Samoan(s)
adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97% (1971 est.)
@Samoa:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa
Data code: WS
Government type: constitutional monarchy under native chief
National capital: Apia
Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A’ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa’asaleleaga, Gaga’emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa’itea,