Chapter XI: Front Matter (11)

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form:
Djibouti
former:
French Territory of the Afars and Issas French Somaliland
Digraph:
DJ
Type:
republic
Capital:
Djibouti
Administrative divisions:
5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil,
Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence:
27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution:
multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4 September 1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic
law
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977); election last
held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President Hassan
GOULED Aptidon was reelected
head of government:
Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; responsible to the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes):
elections last held 18 December 1992; results - RPP is the only party;
seats - (65 total) RPP 65
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party:
People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon
other parties:
Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic
National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
Other political or pressure groups:
Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and
affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO,
UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roble OLHAYE
chancery:
Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
(202) 331-0270
FAX:
(202) 331-0302
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Martin CHESES
embassy:
Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti
mailing address:
B. P. 185, Djibouti
telephone:
[253] 35-39-95
FAX:
[253] 35-39-40
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a
white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red
five-pointed star in the center

@Djibouti, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on service activities connected with the
country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in
northeast Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port
for the region and an international transshipment and refueling
center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation
is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance (an important
supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of payments and to
finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30%
continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an
estimated 35% over the last five years because of recession, civil
war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and
refugees).
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-1% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
over 30% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$170 million
expenditures:
$203 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$158 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
hides and skins, coffee (in transit)
partners:
Africa 47%, Middle East 40%, Western Europe 12%
Imports:
$334 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products
partners:
Western Europe 48%, Asia 25%, Africa 8%
External debt:
$355 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3% (1991 est.); manufacturing accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
115,000 kW
production:
200 million kWh
consumption per capita:
580 kWh (1991)
Industries:
limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and
mineral-water bottling
Agriculture:
accounts for only 2% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to
mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads
herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western
(non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million
Currency:
1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Djibouti, Communications

Railroads:
the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km through Djibouti
Highways:
total:
2,900 km
paved:
280 km
unpaved:
improved, unimproved earth 2,620 km (1982)
Ports:
Djibouti
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT
Airports:
total:
13
usable:
11
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
4
Telecommunications:
telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the
microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country;
international connections via submarine cable to Saudi Arabia and by
satellite to other countries; one ground station each for Indian Ocean
INTELSAT and ARABSAT; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV

@Djibouti, Defense Forces

Branches:
Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force), National
Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 99,811; fit for military service 58,346
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% of GDP (1989)

@Dominica, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 750 sq km land area: 750 sq km comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 41% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; occasional hurricanes international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

@Dominica, People

Population:
87,696 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.32% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
20.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.96 years
male:
74.12 years
female:
79.95 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.99 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dominican(s)
adjective:
Dominican
Ethnic divisions:
black, Carib Indians
Religions:
Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%,
other 5%
Languages:
English (official), French patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population:
94%
male:
94%
female:
94%
Labor force:
25,000
by occupation:
agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% (1984)

@Dominica, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form:
Dominica
Digraph:
DO
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Roseau
Administrative divisions:
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John,
Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint
Peter
Independence:
3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution:
3 November 1978
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October 1993) election
last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998); results -
President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO was elected by the House of
Assembly to a five year term
head of government:
Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for
a third term 28 May 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Assembly:
elections last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators
and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian ALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party
(DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups:
Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
Dominica has no chancery in the US
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown
(Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
Flag:
green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part
is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is
yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the
cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green
five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10
administrative divisions (parishes)

@Dominica, Economy

Overview:
The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable
to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and
employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas,
citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. Development of the tourist
industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the
lack of an international airport.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $185 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.6% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,100 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.2% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$70 million
expenditures:
$84 million, including capital expenditures of $26 million (FY91 est.)
Exports:
$54.6 million (1992)
commodities:
bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
partners:
UK 50%, CARICOM countries, Italy, US
Imports:
$97.5 million (1992)
commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
partners:
US 25%, CARICOM, UK, Canada
External debt:
$92.8 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.2% (1992); accounts for 7% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
7,000 kW
production:
16 million kWh
consumption per capita:
185 kWh (1992)
Industries:
soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes,
root crops, coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings;
forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $120 million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Dominica, Communications

Highways:
total:
750 km
paved:
370 km
unpaved:
gravel or earth 380 km
Ports:
Roseau, Portsmouth
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHF and UHF link to Saint
Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations
- 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV

@Dominica, Defense Forces

Branches:
Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Dominican Republic, Geography

Location:
Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Cuba
and Puerto Rico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
48,730 sq km
land area:
48,380 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total 275 km, Haiti 275 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
6 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal
variation in rainfall
Terrain:
rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
Natural resources:
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land:
23%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
43%
forest and woodland:
13%
other:
14%
Irrigated land:
2,250 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs;
deforestation
natural hazards:
subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October)
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the
Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)

@Dominican Republic, People

Population: 7,826,075 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.8% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 24.87 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 51.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.35 years male: 66.22 years female: 70.6 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 83% male: 85% female: 82% Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million by occupation: agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986)

@Dominican Republic, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Dominican Republic
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republica Dominicana
local short form:
none
Digraph:
DR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions:
29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district*
(distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*,
Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La
Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor
Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata,
Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro
De Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde
Independence:
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution:
28 November 1966
Legal system:
based on French civil codes
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory or married persons
regardless of age
note:
members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, fifth
elected term began 16 August 1990); Vice President Carlos A. MORALES
Troncoso (since 16 August 1986); election last held 16 May 1990 (next
to be held May 1994); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 35.7%, Juan
BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 34.4%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 22.9%
cabinet:
Cabinet; nominated by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado):
elections last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 16, PLD 12, PRD 2
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
elections last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 44, PRSC 41, PRD
33, PRI 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
Major parties:
Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo;
Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan BOSCH Gavino; Dominican
Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Independent
Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA
Minor parties:
National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS
Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der
HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez;
National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo; Popular
Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican Communist
Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan
RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ
Chiappini; Alliance for Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais
PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA
note:
in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the
Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain individual
party structures
Other political or pressure groups:
Collective of Popular Organzations (COP), leader NA
Member of:
ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL,
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez
chancery:
1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-6280
FAX:
(202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general:
Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto
Rico)
consulate(s):
Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville,
Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert S. PASTORINO
embassy:
corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo
Domingo
mailing address:
Unit 5500, Santo Domingo; APO AA 34041-0008
telephone:
(809) 541-2171 and 541-8100
FAX:
(809) 686-7437
Flag:
a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag
into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the
bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at
the center of the cross

@Dominican Republic, Economy

Overview:
Rapid growth of free trade zones has led to a substantial expansion of
manufacturing for export, especially of wearing apparel. Over the past
decade, tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner
of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a
key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane,
followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is
based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining,
minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about
30%, but there is considerable underemployment. Growth fell to a
moderate 3% in 1993 because of power shortages in industry and
political uncertainty which slowed down foreign investment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $23 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.4 billion
expenditures:
$1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$769 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa
partners:
US 56%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8% (1991)
Imports:
$2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and
pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 50%
External debt:
$4.7 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -0.1% (1991); accounts for 14% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
2,283,000 kW
production:
5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
660 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles,
cement, tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 18% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; sugarcane is
the most important commercial crop, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa,
and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal
output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient
in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $655
million
Currency:
1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 12.841 (January 1994), 12.679 (1993),
12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990), 6.340 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Dominican Republic, Communications

Railroads:
1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gauges from 0.558 m
to 1.435 m
Highways:
total:
12,000 km
paved:
5,800 km
unpaved:
gravel or improved earth 5,600 km; unimproved earth 600 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports:
Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT
Airports:
total:
36
usable:
31
with permanent-surface runways:
12
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
relatively efficient domestic system based on islandwide microwave
relay network; 190,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 120 AM, no FM,
18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Dominican Republic, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,114,606; fit for military service 1,333,049; reach
military age (18) annually 81,919 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 0.7% of GDP (1993 est.)

@Ecuador, Geography

Location:
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator
between Colombia and Peru
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
283,560 sq km
land area:
276,840 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Nevada
note:
includes Galapagos Islands
Land boundaries:
total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,237 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute
Climate:
tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain:
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and
flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land:
6%
permanent crops:
3%
meadows and pastures:
17%
forest and woodland:
51%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity;
periodic droughts
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber, Wetlands
Note:
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

@Ecuador, People

Population:
10,677,067 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.01% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.82 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
39.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
69.98 years
male:
67.46 years
female:
72.62 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.08 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Ecuadorian(s)
adjective:
Ecuadorian
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Spanish 10%, black
10%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%
Languages:
Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially Quechua)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
88%
male:
90%
female:
86%
Labor force:
2.8 million
by occupation:
agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other
activities 28% (1982)

@Ecuador, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form:
Ecuador
local long form:
Republica del Ecuador
local short form:
Ecuador
Digraph:
EC
Type:
republic
Capital:
Quito
Administrative divisions:
21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar,
Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos,
Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo,
Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence:
24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Quito)
Constitution:
10 August 1979
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages
18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Sixto DURAN BALLEN Cordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice
President Alberto DAHIK Garzoni (since 10 August 1992); election
runoff election held 5 July 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
Sixto DURAN BALLEN elected as president and Alberto DAHIK elected as
vice president
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional):
elections last held 17 May 1992 (next to be held 1 May 1994); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (77 total) PSC 20, PRE 15, PUR
12, ID 7, PC 6, DP 5, PSE 3, MPD 3, PLRE 2, CFP 2, FRA 1, APRE 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
Center-Right parties:
Social Christian Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Republican
Unity Party (PUR), President Sixto DURAN BALLEN, leader; Conservative
Party (PC), Vice President Alberto DAHIK, president
Center-Left parties:
Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos, Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos,
leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Jamil MANUAD Witt, president;
Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Carlos Luis PLAZA Aray,
director; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario,
director
Populist parties:
Roldista Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director; Concentration of
Popular Forces (CFP), Rafael SANTELICES, director; Popular
Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGAS Passos, leader; Assad
Bucaram Party (PAB), Avicena BUCARAM, leader; People, Change, and
Democracy (PCD), Raul AULESTIA, director
Far-Left parties:
Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Jorge Fausto MORENO, director;
Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS, leader; Broad Leftist
Front (FADI), Jose Xavier GARAYCOA, president; Ecuadorian National
Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, director
Communists:
Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), Rene Leon Mague
MOSWUERRA, secretary general (5,000 members); Communist Party of
Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist), leader NA (3,000 members)
Member of:
AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edgar TERAN
chancery:
2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 234-7200
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San
Diego, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Peter F. ROMERO
embassy:
Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito
mailing address:
P. O. Box 538, Unit 5309, Quito, or APO AA 34039-3420
telephone:
[593] (2) 562-890, 561-623 or 624
FAX:
[593] (2) 502-052
consulate(s) general:
Guayaquil
Flag:
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red
with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar
to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of
arms

@Ecuador, Economy

Overview:
Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas.
Growth has been uneven because of natural disasters, fluctuations in
global oil prices, and government policies designed to curb inflation.
Banana exports, second only to oil, have suffered as a result of
import quotas of the European Union and banana blight. The new
President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, has a much more favorable attitude
toward foreign investment than did his predecessor. Ecuador has
implemented trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and
Venezuela and has applied for GATT membership. At the end of 1991,
Ecuador received a standby IMF loan of $105 million, which will permit
the country to proceed with the rescheduling of Paris Club debt. In
September 1992, the government launched a new, macroeconomic program
that gives more play to market forces. In 1993, the DURAN-BALLEN
administration adopted a rigorous austerity program that resulted in
economic stabilization, with inflation cut in half and international
reserves boosted to a record $1.3 billion. Growth in 1993 was perhaps
only 2% due to falling export prices, notably oil, and slow progress
on privatization.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $41.8 billion
National product real growth rate:
2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
31% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
8% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.9 billion
expenditures:
$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
petroleum 42%, bananas, shrimp, cocoa, coffee
partners:
US 53.4%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries
Imports:
$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
transport equipment, vehicles, machinery, chemicals
partners:
US 32.7%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries, Japan
External debt:
$12.7 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3.9% (1991); accounts for almost 30% of GDP, including
petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
2,921,000 kW
production:
7.676 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
700 kWh (1992)
Industries:
petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal works, paper products,
wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, timber
Agriculture:
accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force (including fishing and
forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood;
other exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; crop production - rice,
potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock sector - cattle,
sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains,
dairy products, and sugar
Illicit drugs:
significant transit country for derivatives of coca originating in
Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producer of coca; importer
of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics;
important money-laundering hub
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15
billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million
Currency:
1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,947.1 (October 1993), 1,534.0 (1992),
1,046.25 (1991), 767.8 (1990), 767.78 (1990), 526.35 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Ecuador, Communications

Railroads:
965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track
Highways:
total:
28,000 km
paved:
3,600 km
unpaved:
gravel or improved earth 17,400 km; unimproved earth 7,000 km
Inland waterways:
1,500 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports:
Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas
Merchant marine:
40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 263,752 GRT/378,675 DWT, bulk 1,
cargo 3, container 2, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 3,
refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
211
usable:
208
with permanent-surface runways:
56
with runway over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
21
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000 telephones; telephone
density - 30 per 1,000 persons; broadcast stations - 272 AM, no FM, 33
TV, 39 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Ecuador, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana), Air Force
(Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,734,988; fit for military service 1,850,989; reach
military age (20) annually 111,707 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Egypt, Geography

Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea,
between Sudan and Libya
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,001,450 sq km
land area:
995,450 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan
1,273 km
Coastline:
2,450 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
not specified
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with
international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area
of 20,580 sq km; the dispute over this area escalated in 1993, this
area continues to be in dispute
Climate:
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain:
vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone,
gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
95%
Irrigated land:
25,850 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands;
increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam; desertification;
oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats;
other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, untreated sewage,
and industrial effluents; water scarcity away from the Nile which is
the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population
overstraining natural resources
natural hazards:
periods of drought; subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides,
volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in
spring
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and
remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea
link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean; size, and juxtaposition
to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics

@Egypt, People

Population:
60,765,028 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.95% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
28.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
8.87 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
76.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
60.79 years
male:
58.91 years
female:
62.76 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.77 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Egyptian(s)
adjective:
Egyptian
Ethnic divisions:
Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek,
Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%
Religions:
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Christian and
other 6% (official estimate)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated
classes
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
48%
male:
63%
female:
34%
Labor force:
15 million (1992 est.)
by occupation:
government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces 36%,
agriculture 34%, privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises
20% (1984)
note:
shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1993 est.)

@Egypt, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form:
Egypt
local long form:
Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form:
none
former:
United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Digraph:
EG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Cairo
Administrative divisions:
26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al
Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah,
Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al
Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyu't,
Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh,
Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj
Independence:
28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution:
11 September 1971
Legal system:
based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes;
judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees
validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting President on 6
October 1981 upon the assassination of President SADAT and sworn in as
president on 14 October 1981); national referendum held 4 October 1993
validated Mubarak's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third
6-year presidential term
head of government:
Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12 November 1986)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral
People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b):
elections last held 29 November 1990 (next to be held NA November
1995); results - NDP 86.3%, NPUG 1.3%, independents 12.4%; seats -
(454 total, 444 elected, 10 appointed by the president) NDP 383, NPUG
6, independents 55; note - most opposition parties boycotted; NDP
figures include NDP members who ran as independents and other
NDP-affiliated independents
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura):
functions only in a consultative role; elections last held 8 June 1989
(next to be held NA June 1995); results - NDP 100%; seats - (258
total, 172 elected, 86 appointed by the president) NDP 172
Judicial branch:
Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party (NDP), President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK,
leader, is the dominant party; legal opposition parties are; New Wafd
Party (NWP), Fu'ad SIRAJ AL-DIN; Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim
SHUKRI; National Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid
MUHYI-AL-DIN; Socialist Liberal Party (SLP), Mustafa Kamal MURAD;
Democratic Unionist Party, Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Umma Party,
Ahmad al-SABAHI; Misr al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), Ali al-Din
SALIH; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party, Dia' al-din DAWUD; Democratic
Peoples' Party, Anwar AFIFI; The Greens Party, Kamal KIRAH
note:
formation of political parties must be approved by government
Other political or pressure groups:
the constitution bans religious-based political parties; nonetheless,
the government tolerates limited political activity by the technically
illegal Muslim Brotherhood, which constitutes Mubarak's chief
political opposition; trade unions and professional associations are
officially sanctioned
Member of:
ABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF,
CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC,
OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, UNRWA, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmed Maher El SAYED
chancery:
2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-5400
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edward WALKER
embassy:
(North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Saleh Street, Garden City, Cairo
mailing address:
APO AE 09839-4900
telephone:
[20] (2) 355-7371
FAX:
[20] (2) 357-3200
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the
national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the
hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic)
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a
plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green
stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an
Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band

@Egypt, Economy

Overview:
Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World
economies, most industrial plants being owned by the government.
Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign
investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s
and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an
increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin
negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's
first IMF standby arrangement concluded in mid-1987 was suspended in
early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised
reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also
negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991.
In 1991-93 the government made solid progress on administrative
reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted
implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the public
sector. As a result, the economy has not gained momentum and
unemployment has become a growing problem. Egypt probably will
continue making uneven progress in implementing the successor programs
with the IMF and World Bank it signed onto in late 1993. In 1992-93
tourism plunged 20% or so because of sporadic attacks by Islamic
extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited population
growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The
addition of about 1.4 million people a year to the already huge
population of 60 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the
land area available for agriculture.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $139 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,400 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$16.8 billion
expenditures:
$19.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (FY94
est.)
Exports:
$3.5 billion (f.o.b., FY93 est.)
commodities:
crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles,
metal products, chemicals
partners:
EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan
Imports:
$10.5 billion (c.i.f., FY93 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable
consumer goods, capital goods
partners:
EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe
External debt:
$32 billion (March 1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -0.4% (FY92 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
14,175,000 kW
production:
47 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
830 kWh (1992)
Industries:
textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum,
construction, cement, metals
Agriculture:
accounts for 20% of GDP and employs more than one-third of labor
force; dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world's
sixth-largest cotton exporter; other crops produced include rice,
corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food for
a rapidly expanding population; livestock - cattle, water buffalo,
sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and
opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian
couriers; large domestic consumption of hashish from Lebanon and Syria
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15.7 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $10.1
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion; Communist
countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion
Currency:
1 Egyptian pound (#E) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates:
Egyptian pounds (#E) per US$1 - 3.369 (November 1993), 3.345 (November
1992), 2.7072 (1990), 2.5171 (1989), 2.2233 (1988), 1.5183 (1987)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Egypt, Communications

Railroads:
5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347 km
0.750-meter gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified
Highways:
total:
45,500 km
paved:
18,300 km
unpaved:
gravel 12,503 km; earth 14,697 km
Inland waterways:
3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway,
and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long
(including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1
meters of water
Pipelines:
crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km
Ports:
Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta
Merchant marine:
171 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,08,208 GRT/1,617,890 DWT,
bulk 16, cargo 88, container 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 27,
refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 7
Airports:
total:
92
usable:
82
with permanent-surface runways:
66
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
45
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
23
Telecommunications:
large system by Third World standards but inadequate for present
requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading; 600,000 telephones
(est.) - 11 telephones per 1,000 persons; principal centers at
Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia Suez, and Tanta are connected
by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; international traffic is
carried by satellite - one earth station for each of Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT, Indian Ocean INTELSAT, ARABSAT and INMARSAT; by 5 coaxial
submarine cables, microwave troposcatter (to Sudan), and microwave
radio relay (to Libya, Israel, and Jordan); broadcast stations - 39
AM, 6 FM, and 41 TV

@Egypt, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 15,335,889; fit for military service 9,961,128; reach
military age (20) annually 625,748 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.05 billion, 6% of GDP (FY92/93)

@El Salvador, Geography

Location:
Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Guatemala
and Honduras
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
21,040 sq km
land area:
20,720 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total 545 km, Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline:
307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm
International disputes:
land boundary dispute with Honduras 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:
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to
April)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Natural resources:
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum
Land use:
arable land:
27%
permanent crops:
8%
meadows and pastures:
29%
forest and woodland:
6%
other:
30%
Irrigated land:
1,200 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils
from disposal of toxic wastes
natural hazards:
known as the Land of Volcanoes, subject to frequent and sometimes very
destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on
Caribbean Sea

@El Salvador, People

Population:
5,752,511 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.04% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
32.81 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
40.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
66.99 years
male:
64.41 years
female:
69.71 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.78 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Salvadoran(s)
adjective:
Salvadoran
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%
note:
Roman Catholic about 75%; there is extensive activity by Protestant
groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an
estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador
Languages:
Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
73%
male:
76%
female:
70%
Labor force:
1.7 million (1982 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%,
financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%
note:
shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but
manpower training programs improving situation (1984 est.)

@El Salvador, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form:
El Salvador
local long form:
Republica de El Salvador
local short form:
El Salvador
Digraph:
ES
Type:
republic
Capital:
San Salvador
Administrative divisions:
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan,
Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union,
Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate,
Usulutan
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
20 December 1983
Legal system:
based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Armando CALDERON SOL (since 1 June 1994); Vice President
Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994) election last held 20
March 1994 (next to be held March 1999); results - Armando CALDERON
SOL (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel
CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other 10.49%; because no candidate received
a majority, run off election was held 24 April 1994; results - Armando
CALDERON SOL (ARENA) 68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa):
elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held March 1997);
results - ARENA 46.4%, FMLN 25.0%, PDC 21.4%, PCN 4.8%, other 2.4%;
seats - (84 total) ARENA 39, FMLN 21, PDC 18, PCN 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
National Republican Alliance (ARENA); Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN) has five factions - Popular Liberation Forces
(FPL), Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), Popular Expression
of Renewal (ERP), Salvadoran Communist Party (PCES), and
Central American Workers' Revolutionary Party (PRTC); Christian
Democratic Party (PDC); National Conciliation Party (PCN); Democratic
Convergence (CD), a coalition of three parties - the Social Democratic
Party (PSD), Democratic Nationalist Union (UDN), and the Popular
Social Christian Movement (MPSC); Authentic Christian Movement (MAC)
note:
new party leaders not yet designated at time of publication
Other political or pressure groups:
labor organizations:
Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant association; General
Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate; United Workers Front (FUT)
business organizations:
Productive Alliance (AP), conservative; National Federation of
Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES), conservative
Member of:
BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ana Cristina SOL
chancery:
2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-9671 or 9672
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San
Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Alan H. FLANIGAN
embassy:
Final Boulevard, Station Antigua Cuscatlan, San Salvador
mailing address:
Unit 3116, San Salvador; APO AA 34023
telephone:
[503] 78-4444
FAX:
[503] 78-6011
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the
national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL
SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua,
which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it
features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on
top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered
in the white band

@El Salvador, Economy

Overview:
The agricultural sector accounts for 24% of GDP, employs about 40% of
the labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffee is
the major commercial crop, accounting for 45% of export earnings. The
manufacturing sector, based largely on food and beverage processing,
accounts for 19% of GDP and 15% of employment. In 1992-93 the
government made substantial progress toward privatization and
deregulation of the economy. Growth in national output in 1990-93
exceeded growth in population for the first time since 1987, and
inflation in 1993 of 12% was down from 17% in 1992
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $14.2 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.7% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$846 million
expenditures:
$890 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$730 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
coffee, sugarcane, shrimp
partners:
US, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Germany
Imports:
$1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods
partners:
US, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany
External debt:
$2.6 billion (December 1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.6% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
713,800 kW
production:
2.19 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
390 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing, beverages, petroleum, nonmetallic products, tobacco,
chemicals, textiles, furniture
Agriculture:
accounts for 24% of GDP and 40% of labor force (including fishing and
forestry); coffee most important commercial crop; other products -
sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef, dairy products, shrimp;
not self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for local
consumption
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $2.95 billion (plus $250
million for 1992-96); Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF
bilateral commitments (1970-89), $525 million
Currency:
1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.720 (January 1994), 8.670 (1993),
8.4500 (1992), 8.080 (1991), 8.0300 (1990), fixed rate of 5.000
(1986-1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@El Salvador, Communications

Railroads:
602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; some sections abandoned,
unusable, or operating at reduced capacity
Highways:
total:
10,000 km
paved:
1,500 km
unpaved:
gravel 4,100 km; improved, unimproved earth 4,400 km
Inland waterways:
Rio Lempa partially navigable
Ports:
Acajutla, Cutuco
Airports:
total:
107
usable:
76
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
6
Telecommunications:
nationwide trunk microwave radio relay system; connection into Central
American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones (21 telephones per 1,000
persons); broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@El Salvador, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,351,641; fit for military service 866,010; reach
military age (18) annually 74,181 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 1.1% of GDP (1994 est.)

@Equatorial Guinea, Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Cameroon and Gabon Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 28,050 sq km land area: 28,050 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 539 km, Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 51% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: subject to violent windstorms international agreements: party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated

@Equatorial Guinea, People

Population:
409,550 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.59% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
40.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
14.73 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
102.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
52.09 years
male:
49.97 years
female:
54.27 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.28 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective:
Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic divisions:
Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang),
Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish
Religions:
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Languages:
Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
50%
male:
64%
female:
37%
Labor force:
172,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980)
note:
labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age
(1985)

@Equatorial Guinea, Government